Boko Haram manufacturing own fuel after military squeeze on supply lines

Nigerian militant group, Boko Haram has started manufacturing its own fuel in order to power motorbikes often used for attacks.

The militant group is reported to be affected by the acute fuel shortage in Africa’s biggest economy as the military in an operation blocked their supply lines.

The cutting off of fuel supplies is said to have crippled the activities of the group.

Now the group has resorted to turning groundnut oil into biodiesel.

Boko Haram produces fuel to power motorbikes https://t.co/Nx3JphCi8s via todayng pic.twitter.com/bEZoXslcY9

— Nigeria Newsdesk (NigeriaNewsdesk) April 18, 2016

According to a recent escapee, the insurgent group adds salt to oil extracted from groundnuts to make biodiesel for their motorcycles.

The groundnuts used to make the oil are confiscated from farms near the Sambisa forest, a notorious hideout for the militants.

According to reports, black market fuel vendors from Maiduguri would exploit the group by selling a 25 litre jerrycan for as much as 250 to 300 US dollars. It is said that a jerrycan of fuel in Maiduguri costs only 13 US dollars.

The strikes and heightened border security from Nigeria’s neighbouring countries who are working to fight the Islamist militants, have made it difficult for the militants to receive deliveries from fuel vendors.

AFP