The South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies Tuesday warned African states to act quickly to stop the restructuring of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Basin.

The institute warned in a new report that if they don’t, Islamic State’s plans to expand in the region will further endanger the lives of millions of Africans.

According to the research organization, Islamic State is using ISWAP, its local affiliate, to further its expansionist agenda that began even before it was defeated in Iraq and Syria.

 Institute for Security Studies research shows that Islamic State ordered the removal of Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram in May to open the way for ISWAP.

The author of the report Malik Samuel, Researcher, Lake Chad Basin Programme, ISS Dakar, has been speaking to WADR.