Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram has reportedly pledged its allegiance to Middle-Eastern counterpart, ISIS also known as the Islamic State.
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau is believed to have announced the merger via an audio clip posted on Twitter, BBC reports.
However, it is not yet clear if the message is authentic.
Experts had expressed fears that both groups could form a partnership after Boko Haram posted a video similar to those usually released by ISIS.
The video, which showed two men being beheaded by Boko Haram militants, was taken as an informal alignment with ISIS.
Both groups have wreaked havoc in their respective regions and have both been named among the 5 most deadly sects in the world
The pledge to IS came in an Arabic audio message with English subtitles alleged to have come from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and posted Saturday on Twitter, according to the SITE Intelligence monitoring service.
"We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims ... and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding that which there is a proof from Allah," said the message. IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has declared himself the caliph.
Earlier, thegroup was blamed for four suicide bomb attacks that police said killed at least 54 people and wounded 143 in theMaiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram.
The blasts occurred over four hours in locations from a busy fish market to a crowded bus station, said Police Commissioner Clement Adoda.
A fifth explosion from a car bomb at a military checkpoint 50 miles (75 kilometers) outside the city wounded a soldier and two members of a civilian self-defense unit. The bomber apparently wanted to reach Maiduguri, said a police officer at the scene who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the press.
In the deadliest blast, 18 people died when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a tricycle taxi at the entrance to the bustling Baga fish market, police said.
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