CAPE TOWN. South Africa might be used as operation ground by Boko Haram, a terrorist group based in Nigeria, a senior government official warned on Wednesday.

There was the possibility that "the person sitting next to you is a member of Boko”, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Luwellyn Landers said at a press briefing.

"That has to be a concern for anybody and we should not be surprised if they are here,” he said.

But he added that currently there was no proof that the group was operational in South Africa.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of more than 200 girls in Nigeria’s Borno state in April. The group is also blamed for a series of terrorist attacks.

Landers said Boko members did not go around wearing specific colours or overalls or logos, so it was difficult to distinguish them.

"That’s how effective they’ve become,” he said.

Landers also said the South African government remains concerned about the fate of the abducted school girls in Nigeria and the continuing terrorist activities perpetrated by Boko Haram which continue to claim many lives of innocent civilians.

"In this regard, the South African Government reiterates its condemnation of all forms and manner of terrorism and from whichever quarter,” he said.

South Africa, he said, will continue to support the actions taken by the African Union (AU) in support of Nigeria and other countries where the scourge of terrorism and armed groupings impact on the lives of innocent people and impede development.

Xinhua