Nigeria: Report Gives Details, Says Terrorist Groups Gaining Foothold in Nigeria

AFP20100108619001 Lagos TheNews in English 04 Jan 10 - 11 Jan 10 pp 18, 19, 24-25, 28-31

[Report by Olusola Olaosebikan and Maduabuchi Nmeriben: "The Making of a Bomber"]

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s failed bid to bomb an airplane with 289 people on board lends credence
to fears that Nigeria is a fertile ground for al-Qaeda recruitment

When he boarded the plane in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, his mien and carriage portrayed
innocence. This conferred on Farouk Abdulmutallab, son of Alhaji Umar Mutallab, former chairman of
First Bank Nigeria plc, a degree of evasiveness.

And this appears to be his strength. The 23-year-old was considered incapable of causing any harm until
last Christmas when Farouk, in a failed attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound airline, was caught with an
explosive device that contained pentaerythritol tetra nitrate [PETN].

Farouk had bought a Lagos-Amsterdam-Detroit-Lagos ticket of KLM Airline in Accra, Ghana. He then
returned to Lagos afterwards to travel to Amsterdam, reportedly without luggage. At Amsterdam, Farouk
was believed to have obtained the material necessary to assemble his explosive. Thereafter, he boarded
the Detroit-bound Northwest Airline flight 253 from Amsterdam.

While in the plane, Farouk reportedly visited the rest room frequently. At a point, he returned to his
seat, behaved as if he had a stomach upset and covered himself up with a blanket. Suddenly, fire erupted
from his thigh region and other passengers became startled. However, Jaspter Schuringa, a Dutch tourist,
noticed the mischief in Farouk. He lunged himself on Farouk, putting out the fire before alerting the cabin
crew.

"I pulled the object from him and tried to extinguish the fire with my hands and threw it away,"
Schuringa said. Farouk was promptly arrested and taken to the Ann Arbor University Hospital, where he
was treated for bums sustained during the misadventure. He was subsequently arraigned and charged with
attempting to destroy an aircraft by placing a destructive device in the plane.

Farouk admitted that he has ties with the al-Qaeda network, corroborating an earlier statement by the
group that it was responsible for the attack. Though he faces a $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison,
if convicted, Farouk remains recalcitrant. Three days after his attempt to bomb the airline and all of its
passengers and 11 crew members was thwarted, he reportedly declared that even if he is prosecuted and
jailed, other trained terrorists would finish the job very soon.

"I am one in a production line of terrorists that have been trained in Yemen by al-Qaeda," Farouk
boasted. In one of his Internet postings, as published by London’s Daily Mirror, he said: "I won’t go into
too many details about my fantasy, but basically they are jihad fantasies. I imagine how the great jihad
will take place, how the Muslims will win, Allah willing, and rule the whole world and establish the
greatest empire once again."

His family has remained shattered by the news of his arrest, wondering why such a child with a sound
parental monitoring would delve into fundamentalism. So also were his classmates, friends, and
neighbors. Until recently, Farouk was relatively unknown. Even as the son of a frontline bank executive,
he remained in the background. His involvement in the attempt to blow up a North West Airlines Flight
253 in Detroit, USA, last Christmas, however, opened up the world of a complex character that had
constantly craved an identity of his own.

One of 16 children, Farouk had, from childhood, held on to his religious beliefs. As a secondary school
student at the British International School in Lome, Togo, Farouk was reported to be an unflinching
preacher of the tenets of Islam. He would occasionally gather his schoolmates around, preaching the
gospel to them, earning himself the sobriquet of an Alfa in the process.

Farouk was so convinced of his religious ideology that he stood on the side of the Taliban regime in
Afghanistan until they were deposed by a US-led coalition in 2001 after the 11 September terrorist attacks
on the U.S. According to Michael Rimmer, one of Farouk’s teachers in Togo, "I remember he thought
that the Taliban were okay, whereas all the other Muslim kids at school thought they were a bunch of
nuts."

He said that Farouk had been among a number of pupils he had taken to London in 2001 and 2002, when
aged 13 and 14.

At one stage on the trip, Farouk had become upset because several older students had visited a pub and
he thought it should not have been allowed on religious grounds. Mr. Rimmer said that rather than spend
money on souvenirs in London, Farouk had donated £50 to an orphanage. "At one stage, his nickname
was "the Pope".

In one way, it’s totally unsuitable because he’s a Muslim, but he did have this saintly aura. He was a
model student, very keen, enthusiastic, and loved the subject I taught him; history, and would often stay
behind after lessons to discuss items in the lesson or in the news," he said.
 He added that Farouk started to express extremist views after the 9/11. "I remember in 2001 there was a
class discussion about the Taliban in Afghanistan. All the other children, including all the Muslims
thought they were a bunch of nuts with beards, but he thought they had it right and thought their views
were acceptable. At the time I thought, well, young people have silly views and he would grow out of it."
The teacher was quoted by the Daily Mail:

"I was angry at the nutters who had put these silly ideas in his head but also angry with him because he
had wonderful parents and comes from a lovely family with lots of friends and had everything going for
him." Yet Rimmer described Farouk as keen, enthusiastic, bright and polite. "He was every teacher’s
dream," he said.

Ustaz Mohammed Adamu, 78, is the Imam of the mosque where Farouk worshiped whenever he was in
Nigeria for holidays. In fact, it was Farouk’s father who built the mosque in the early 1970s and made
Adamu the Imam in 1973 to lead prayers there.

Adamu revealed: "Abdul Farouk is from a rich home yet he doesn’t see himself as one. He was humble
to Islamic teachings. And throughout the periods he was home, I never saw any sign of extremism in him.
I think he was a victim of alien indoctrination."

The Imam said that he was "very sad and confused and yet to come to terms with the reality that a fine
gentleman like Farouk could be cajoled to kill fellow human beings."

Farouk was admitted to study Mechanical Engineering at the University College in London [UCL] in
September 2005. At this stage, Farouk felt some measure of self-confidence and independence. He cut all
forms of communication with his parents. At the same time, he remained very devout and committed to
his beliefs.

According to Fabrizio Cavallo Marincola, 22, one of his classmates at the UCL, Farouk was very
religious. "When we were studying, he always would go off to pray. He was pretty quiet and didn’t
socialize much or have a girlfriend that I knew of," Marincola said.

While Marincola and Farouk’s other school mates socialized, Farouk was busy seeking a link with al-
Qaeda, the international terrorists’ cell headed by Osama bin Laden. Thus, upon graduation from the UCL
in June 2008, Farouk began a tour of Egypt, Dubai, and Yemen.
 In Dubai, Farouk was enrolled to study for a Master of Business Administration [MBA] degree at the
University of Wollongong, Dubai, but he spurned the offer after about seven months. This magazine
gathered that by this time, he had already established a formidable link with a terrorist cell in Yemen.

It was at this point that he reportedly declared to his family members that he did not want to have
anything to do with any of them again. As a matter of fact, each time he visited Nigeria, he was said to
have avoided his family home. His frequent sneaks in and out of the country was said to have been part of
the training and instructions he received from al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen.

Farouk’s state of mind has been revealed in series of electronic mails that he sent out to his colleagues
and accomplices, complaining that he was "lonely" and had "never found a true Muslim friend."

Washington Post reported that when he was at the boarding school around January 2005, he was usually
whining: "I have no one to speak to [sic], no one to consult, no one to support me, and I feel depressed
and lonely. I do not know what to do. And then I think this loneliness leads me to other problems."

The newspaper revealed 300 online postings of the young man under the name "farouk1986" (a
combination of his middle name and birth year). He raised issues like love and marriage, his college
ambitions and" disenchantment over standardized testing, as well as his inner struggle as a devout Muslim
between liberalism and extremism."

Taken together, the writings, according to Washington Post, demonstrate an acute awareness of Western
customs and a worldliness befitting Farouk’s privileged upbringing as a wealthy Nigerian banker’s son. In
a June 2005 posting, Farouk wrote that he was in Yemen for a three-month Arabic course, saying that "it
is just great."

At 18, he wrote, he had not started searching for prospective partners because of social norms such as
having "a degree, a job, a house, etc. before getting married." But, he said: "My parents, I know could
help me financially should I get married, even though I think they are also not going to be in favor of
early marriage."

He also wrote of his "dilemma between liberalism and extremism" as a Muslim. "The Prophet (5) said
that religion is easy and anyone who tries to overburden themselves will find it hard and will not be able
to continue," he wrote in 2005. "So any time I relax, I deviate sometimes and then when I strive hard, I
get tired of what I am doing i.e. memorizing the Quran, etc. How should one put the balance right?"

In December 2005, Farouk had written that his parents were visiting him in London and that he was
torn about whether he could eat meat with them. "I am of the view that meat not slaughtered by Muslims
is haram (forbidden) for consumption unless necessary," he wrote. "My parents are of the view that as
foreigners, we are allowed to eat any meat. It occurred [sic] to me that I should not be eating with my
parents as they use meat I consider haram. But I fear this might cause division and other complicated
family problems." He pleaded: "Please respond as quickly as possible as my tactic has been to eat outside
and not at home till I get an answer."

An uncle said of him: "Farouk was a devoted Muslim who took his religion seriously and was
committed to his studies. He was such a brilliant boy and nobody in the family had the slightest thought
that he could do something as insane as this."

Comrade Shehu Sani, one-time leader of the Federation of Kaduna Students and president of the Civil
Rights Congress in Kaduna, who was Farouk’s neighbor, revealed that the young man is popularly called
Ustaz for his religious disposition. Farouk, according to Sani, "hardly socializes like other young boys on
our street.

He’s most often seen in the mosque, which is just about 50 meters away (from the activist’s house).
And that mosque, built by his father, is situated in an institute called Rabiat Mutallab Institute of Islamic
Studies."

Sani added that Farouk is noted as someone who always comes to the mosque earlier than anyone and
leaves late. He is also noticed as someone who prays fervently. "Within our neighborhood, we have what
is called Hamman Pategi Neighborhood Association. He hardly attends any of these meetings even
though the association was established by young men in our neighborhood.

When the news of his failed plot to bomb the Northwest Airline became open, residents in our
neighborhood were shocked because he had never worn any look that could give a clue as to what was in
his mind." Farouk, as the activist put it, is very trendy, sometimes fashionable and, in some cases, very
simple. If he was not in the mosque, you either saw him going to his father’s house or riding his
motorbike around the neighborhood.

"Frankly, the report of him attempting to blow up a plane came to many as a surprise, but they could
later link his act to his serious devotion to religion," Sani argued.

Even his teacher in Yemen, Ahmed Moajjib, said that Farouk was a ‘‘very quiet student, who was
extremely smart, liked to help others and was not frivolous. He did not appear suicidal, depressed or
frustrated."
 Worried by his son’s activities, especially his descent into radical Islamic ideologies, Farouk’s father
was said to have informed all relevant local and foreign intelligence and security agencies about five
months ago. But the security and intelligence agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
the Central Intelligence Agency failed to sufficiently watch Farouk’s activities.

However, the United States Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, reacted that "the system
worked" - a position which the United States President Obama said was "totally unacceptable." Obama,
according to an Associated Press report, said the intelligence community had bits of information that
should have been pieced together that would have triggered "red flags" and possibly prevented the
Christmas Day attempted terror attack.

The National Counter-terrorism Centre said of Farouk’s father’s warning: "We learned of him in
November, when his father came to the US Embassy in Nigeria and sought help in finding him. We did
not have his name before then." CIA spokesman, George Little, said that Farouk’s father didn’t say his
son was a terrorist, let alone was planning an attack. The official said: "I’m not aware of some magic
piece of intelligence that suddenly would have flagged this guy, whose name nobody even had until
November, as a killer en route to America, let alone something that anybody withheld."

According to another report, officials also noted that Amsterdam, where Farouk boarded his flight to
Detroit, "is one of nine locations where US Customs and Border Protection officials are stationed to do
additional screening on U.S-bound passengers who have been flagged as a potential risk."

But it is unlikely Farouk would have been flagged because, as the report put it, the Customs and Border
Patrol officers do not routinely screen all passengers against the names of individuals on the Terrorist
Identities Datamart Environment database, known as TIDE, which was the only place that Farouk was
listed. But at the U.S end, the government put in place enhanced screening procedures for passengers after
the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington to catch potential terrorists."

Meanwhile, the Yemeni Information Minister, Hassan al-Lozy, blamed the U.S. for Yemen’s failure to
identify Farouk as a terror suspect. "We didn’t get any notice from the Americans to put this man on a
list," al-Lozy said. "America should have told Yemen about this man."

This is because, as AI-Lozy argued, Farouk received a Yemeni visa to study Arabic after authorities
were reassured that he had "several visas from a number of countries that we are cooperating with in the
fight against terror". He added that the young man had a valid visa to the United States, which he had
visited in the past. "Our investigators are looking into who were the people or parties that were in touch
with Umar here," al-Lozy told the AP.

Why Northern Nigeria is a Fertile Ground for Al-Qaeda Recruitment

 The case of Farouk should be an eye-opener for all concerned authorities that there may be thousands of
potential terrorist hands multiplying by the day in that part of the country. Those who hold this view have
heir reasons. In fact many of then claim that al-Qaeda is alive in Nigeria. Does the Farouk drama mean
that al-Qaeda is present and well integrated in Nigeria?

When the US. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton visited Nigeria on 12 August 2009, she warned that al-
Qaeda might have a foothold in Nigeria. In her words: "There is no doubt in our mind that al-Qaeda and
like organisations that are part of the syndicate of terror would seek a foothold anywhere they could find
one, and whether that is the case here or whether this is a homegrown example of fundamentalist
extremism - that’s up to the Nigerians to determine."

In fact, Time magazine (7 July 2003 edition) reported that while East Africa is now a known theatre of
operations, "West Africa offers a broad new range of opportunities - as Osama bin Laden pointed out in
February, when in a taped message he singled out Nigeria as a country ripe for "liberation" by his
followers.

Nigeria could be a fertile ground for al-Qaeda - half the population is Muslim, antagonistic to its own
government over issues such as corruption and enraged by the US invasion of Iraq. The Islamist challenge
there is growing, with provincial governments instituting Taliban-style Sharia law and the political
system increasingly in crisis."

Reverend Ladi Thompson, the General Overseer of Living Water Unlimited Church and head of
Macedonia Initiative, a faith-based non-governmental organisation, said yes with reasons. He cited the
riot at Jos North and concluded that it was not political at all. In his words: "If you go to Jos North, where
the election took place, there was no burning of political vehicles or secretariats.

They did not burn the electoral office where the election took place in Jos. It was in the middle of the
night that people started hearing Allahu Akbar." He added that the carnage that started in Jos could have
been worse.

"Had the militants that struck in Jos just arrived on the day of the incident? Did they just arrive on the
night of the incident? No, they had been camped in Jos. The reason that these things are not well reported
like I said is that the terror element has been infiltrated into the Nigerian government, including the
security branches," he said.

Thompson gave another reason to support the presence of al-Qaeda in Nigeria. As he put it: "If you go
to the United States report on the 9/11, Nigeria was mentioned in the official report. Nigeria was
mentioned because there were some Nigerians that were directly trained by bin Laden. Beyond the
training of Nigerians by bin Laden, the evidence of terror in Nigeria is obvious. One was even arrested in
Cairo with pictures of key installations in Nigeria."

He mentioned the Boko Haram, one of the sects operating in Nigeria, as boasting of 1.6 million
followers. "Where are the rest? Why was Yusuf summarily executed without any trial? I want to say point
blank that if Yusuf was allowed to talk, many people in high positions in the government would be
indicted, including people in the security forces.

Had he not been arrested before? He was arrested before and taken to Abuja, but was released. Who are
the people who worked for his release?" Thompson asked. The aim of the fundamentalists, the pastor
argued, is to Islamize the whole country. To him, they want Sharia in every state of this country.

If Thompson and others are right, then why is the North truly a fertile ground for al-Qaeda recruitment?
Dr. Adeoye Oyewole, a psychiatrist at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital,
Osogbo in Osun State, argued that Northern youths like

Farouk could be suffering from maladaptive coping mechanism. According to him, lack of warmth from
the family is one of the factors that could lead to such action.

"This is because some of the rich parents don’t have time for their children, so such children are not
able to connect with the parents, especially when the need arises and as such, may want to commit
suicide," he explained. Sani of the Civil Rights Congress agreed with Oyewole.

He explained that in Kaduna, there are hundreds of youth or young people that are either sponsored by
their parents or are under scholarship to study in countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Dubai. Farouk, according to him, is simply one of these young men and the
difference he made was the failed plot.

He, therefore, advised that when rich people send their wards outside the country to study, it is
imperative for them to monitor the kind of activities they engage in, in the interest of the safety of the
country and the whole world. They should also ensure that the tuition fees and other monies they send for
the upkeep of their wards "are not converted for training of one form of terrorist act or another."

Farouk’s case is, as Sani explained, a special one in the sense that terrorism will flourish where there are
resources to back it up. "Young people from poor homes don’t have the $5,000 to buy flight ticket to
move from Lagos to Holland, so they unleash their own terror at the local level. But if you have the
resources, it would simply help you to move further. This clearly indicates that young people of rich
parental background are simply those who are privileged to take their own ideas to the next level," he
submitted.

Another reason that the North is believed to be a fertile ground for al-Qaeda incendiaries is the failure
of the government security agencies to monitor Nigeria’s borders. TheNEWS reliably gathered that most
of the fundamentalists (especially Boko Haram) are illegal immigrants from neighboring Niger Republic
and Chad.

According to a top security chief who craved anonymity, "They came into Kano a long time ago with
the sole aim of corrupting the minds of unsuspecting Muslim faithful with their nefarious agenda. I must
tell you that this group, Aljawus, has a global network. Their agenda as can be deduced from their mode
of operation is to devastate the world and they see northern Nigerian borders porous enough to troop into
the country and wreak havoc."

Moreover, as Sani put it, "there is no government agency or security agency that has a profile of the
number of people that have been going out to the Middle East and Far East in search of knowledge or any
other reason. It is only when they are back here and mayhem is unleashed that people talk."

He cited the case of a group of young men and women mostly educated in Pakistan and Afghanistan
who, five years ago, picked up arms and called themselves the Talibans. They unleashed mayhem on the
people until they were cautioned. "You can see that we live in a society where we only remember things
when they happen and then we forget them until another one happens.

There is no mechanism, there is no structure to make sure that things do not happen again," he said.
There are also groups that have affiliations with some countries and their activities are never monitored
and as such, they became sources of breeding violence, he added.

Sani gave another interpretation to the problem of failed leadership. As he put it, successive
governments had failed to provide the atmosphere that would make every Nigerian have a sense of
belonging. People have lost hope in their leaders and the system and as such, Islamic fundamentalism has
been considered an alternative to most of these problems.

"When you have people with these problems and mentality and who are governed by corrupt leaders
that have no vision and desire to address all these problems mentioned, the result is what we see in the
crises that occur in the region always," he argued. He added that situations where most of the time money
voted as security votes is usually used to settle political cronies rather than for gathering intelligence or
curbing any form of crisis that arises is regrettable.
 Moreover, the refusal of the government to implement the probe panel reports on past religious crises is,
as the human rights activist argued, highly responsible for the disposition of some people to misguided
ideologies like Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism.

Thompson lamented that even the National Reconciliation Committee that was set up by former
president, Olusegun Obasanjo, achieved nothing. "If Nigeria has to move forward we have to address this
issue," he quipped.

Thompson recalled that President Umaru Yar’Adua, when he was governor of Katsina State, personally
supervised the activities of the Sharia Court without any publicity. He was the executive governor when
Amina Lawal was to be stoned to death. "If a country has a president that approved a death by stoning,
why would you blame a man for putting into practice, the true form of Islamic fundamentalism now?" he
asked.

The breakdown of the university system in Nigeria has also contributed to the problem. As Sani argued,
many Nigerians take delight in sending their wards to universities in the Middle and Far East that offer
free admission and scholarships to young Nigerians. Now, if they get in touch with people with bad
intentions and those that can indoctrinate them, the result is what we have in Farouk Mutallab, he
reasoned.

"There is no doubt that young people are vulnerable because their minds are fertile. It is a period of
exuberance and reception to new, even if bad ideas.

Coupled with this is the problem of illiteracy. There is a low level of western education in the North and
as such, northerners are prone to involvement in acts of violence. Also, there is a high level of ignorance,
which renders people who have limited education and enlightenment vulnerable to a distorted and
misleading ideology, whether religious or political.

The environment and types of religious doctrines that the youth are exposed to are another factor. Sani
wants Nigerians to realize that the radical thoughts and violence which people like Farouk attempted to
perpetrate in the United States was because he went to Yemen. "He grew up in Kaduna, a city that hardly
knows religious tolerance… He grew up in a society that is hostile to the concept of unity and peace that
is far divided. He grew up in a society where individuals preach violence and the authorities are helpless
because they say religion is a very sensitive issue and such individuals act with impunity."

Sani described as ironic and hypocritical, Islamic leaders that are condemning what Farouk has done.
The statements and conduct of some of such leaders, Sani argued, inspired people like him to export
hostility to the level of terrorism. "Terrorism is not the major problem in Nigeria and there is no al-Qaeda
base in northern Nigeria but one thing is clear: there is a steady growth and spread of Islamic
fundamentalism. And it is this extremist philosophy and concept that has produced people that will take
Islamic fundamentalism to the next level," he said.

Poverty is said to be another fertilizer for fundamentalism.

People who decide to pick up arms in the name of faith or God have nothing to lose because, in the words
of Sani, they have kept nothing.

Another problem is the Almajiri phenomenon - where parents give out their children to Islamic scholars
who have low level of education. According to Sani, these categories of children who grow up homeless
and uneducated are vulnerable to dangerous ideas.

"And if you look at the development, foundation and strength of the Maitatsine group in the 80s and the
recent Yusuf-led Boko Haram group, you will find out that they draw their followers and strength from
this kind of arrangement," he pointed out.

According to a report on the Maitatsine crisis produced by a Tribunal of Inquiry headed by Justice
Anthony Nnaemezie Aniagolu, "The traditional practice of teaching children the Holy Quran popularly
known as the Almajiri system, whereby an Islamic teacher collects young boys from their parents to
elsewhere other than their home villages for the purpose of teaching them Islam was a major remote cause
of the disturbances in Kano."

The most important ingredient in the smooth operation of the fundamentalists is the funding provided
by Saudi Arabia and some other oil-rich countries. While some of these funds are channeled towards the
propagation of religion, analysts said, a lot of arsonists divert these towards fundamentalism. Some of the
financial help come from the Islamic Bureau and another body based in Lahore, Pakistan.

Indeed, there have been over 150 different religious crises that consumed between 50,000 and 70,000
lives. Religious violence in northern Nigeria could be classified into different areas. In his words: "There
is inter-religious violence, the one you have between the Christians and the Muslims. And there is intra-
religious violence which occurs among the Muslims.

You also have isolated cases of response to international issues and you see the rise of sects. Inter-
religious crises like that of Zangon Kataf in Kafanchan, Kaduna and Kano in the 80s and the intra
religious clashes are those between the Sunnis and Shiites that we have in Sokoto."
 He added that there had been the rise of sects, one of which was led by Muhammed Marwa Maitatsine
and Boko Haram, led by Mohammed Yusuf. He mentioned the riots that came up as a result of the war in
Iraq and Afghanistan, the crusade held by Reinhard Bonnke in Kano in the 90s and the lady that was
killed in Bauchi.

There was also the case of the beheading of John Akaluka in Kano State for using a page of the Koran
after going to toilet which was reported by the defunct Tempo magazine in December 1994. Jaishul
Islam, a sub-sect of the Shiites killed the man because, according to them, he used the Quran as toilet
paper.

The political class in the North and the clerical authority, analysts say, exploit the religious bigotry and
dogma to manipulate the people and neutralize resistance against evil and injustice, effectively insulating
political office holders against scrutiny and checks.

The North has, since 1980, been a theatre of war. In December 1980, Muhammadu Marwa, a one-eyed
man popularly known as Maitatsine, masterminded what has been described as the worst violence against
the state and humanity in Kano, Yola, and Maiduguri.

Though security operatives captured and killed the Islamic extremist and some of his followers, terrorist
uprisings that have cropped up since the 1980/81 saga, have proved that the disciples of the queer Islamic
fanatic believed to be a foreigner from the border-town of Jappai in northern Cameroon are still holding
sway in Kano.

Twenty six years after the Maitatsine saga, precisely on April 2007, another terrorist group described
simply as Taliban invaded Kano through the Panshekara axis and launched a bitter attack on uniformed
men. It was a consistent reign of terror in Kano within that period as they held sway for two weeks,
killing over 21 policemen and innocent citizens.

The gunmen, dressed in Islamic attire and chanting Islamic slogans, stormed the Panshekara police
station where they seriously wounded three officers on duty, including a woman, before breaking into its
armory where they made away with assorted arms and ammunition. Military men were immediately
dispatched to the area to confront the terror group. A gun duel between the group and a combined team of
the Army and Police lasted for a week, after which the Army claimed it gunned down 25 members of the
group linked to the Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda. They were said to be foreigners from Sudan and
neighboring Niger’ Republic who are on a dangerous terror mission.

On Friday 13 April 2007, some unidentified gunmen attacked the Doroyi Juma’at Mosque on Bukuru
Road in Kano, killing a renowned Islamic scholar and critic, Sheik Mahmud Jaffa Adam who was, before
his gruesome murder, the Chief Imam of the mosque. Jaffa was gunned down with one of his followers
during the early morning prayers.
 Three other persons sustained first-degree bullet wounds. The terrorists were believed to be Taliban
members. Adams was a member of the Hisbah committee but pulled out over disagreement with the state
on issues bordering on Hisbah or Shariah Enforcement Agency.

On Friday 28 September 2007, some rampaging youth at Tudun Wada, a sleepy community on the
outskirts of Kano metropolis, took advantage of a minor argument that ensued among students of
Government Day Secondary School to cause havoc which resulted in burning of some buildings,
including St. Mary Catholic Church in the area.

Similar to the Sumaila crisis, a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed allegedly sketched by a student of the
school (a Christian) caused the upheavals. Some Muslim students had protested over the cartoon, a
situation which compelled the school authorities to close down for the day.

Then came, the Boko Haram menace which filtered into Kano on Monday 27 July 2009, when scores of
the fundamentalists invaded Wudil Police Station in Kano in search of arms and ammunition to carry out
their activities. They had wanted to attack security outfits and government establishments in the ancient
city but the timely intervention of the police in Kano stopped them.

They disarmed two policemen on duty and wounded the station’s divisional police officer, Sagir Idris.
A police reinforcement led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tanko Lawal, gunned down three of the
Islamic militants in a gun duel that lasted for several hours.

The following day, the police, in a cracking raid, made more arrests when they ransacked the thick
forest of Gaya Local Government Area and fished out 20 remnants of the extremists. In all, about 63
members of the terror-gang were arrested and charged to court.

Days after dislodging the group from Wudil, the police in Kano arrested four people, including the vice
chairman of Wudil Local Government Area, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim Lajawa, 50, suspected as sponsors of
the Boko Haram sect in Kano.

About 30 persons, including four soldiers from the 33 Field Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, were killed in a
fresh clash between members of an Islamic sect called Kala-kata and security personnel in the Zango area
of Bauchi Metropolis last week. The sect claimed to be an offshoot of the original Maitatsine. Among the
dead were a cripple, Yusufa Abba, and 15 children between the ages of three and seven.

All these acts point to the fact that terrorists are gaining a foothold in Nigeria.
[Description of Source: Lagos TheNews in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Interviewee Says Terror Elements Infiltrate Government, Security Agencies

AFP20100108619004 Lagos TheNews in English 04 Jan 10 - 11 Jan 10 pp 26027

[Interview with Rev Ladi Thompson, head of Faith-based NGO committed to religious peace in Nigeria
by TheNews correspondent Alex Akinyele; date and place not given]

Reverend Ladi Thompson, the presiding pastor of Living Water Unlimited Church and head of
Macedonian Initiative, a faith-based Non Governmental Organisation committed to religious peace in
Nigeria, in this interview with ALEX AKINYELE speaks about the presence of international terrorists in
Nigeria

Q: People see riots In Nigeria as a form of terrorism. What is your view on this?

A: The people’s views on riots as a form of terrorism in Nigeria are welcome. I remember we had an
interview with media people in the year 2000. In that year we showed that there is a pattern to terrorism in
Nigeria. At that time, a lot of people were arguing with our NGO. But we had seen the pattern of
terrorism in this country.

We saw the difference between moderate Muslims and Muslim extremists. We have seen that the
government has been infiltrated. We have seen the intelligence pattern behind terror in the country. We
have seen the logistics they supplied. We have seen the communication pattern behind their operations.
And I remember saying in 2000, not now, that if this problem was not addressed, it would ultimately
destroy this country.

Q: You were reported to have said that the Jos crisis was not religious. Why?

A: Was everybody in this country so naive as not to know that what happened in Jos then was not
religious but a form of terrorism. I was in Jos just as the crisis was going down. And I also listened to
first-hand report on the crisis. The truth, first of all, is that if you go to Jos North, where the election took
place then, they did not burn any political vehicles or secretariats.

They did not bum any electoral office where the election took place in Jos. It was in the middle of the
night they start chanting Allahu Akbar. The bloodbath that started in Jos could have been worse than that.
The question is; did the Islamic militants that struck in Jos then arrive on the day of the incident? Did they
just arrive on the night of the incident? No, they had been camped in Jos.

The reason why these things are not well reported, as I said before, is that the terror elements have
infiltrated the Nigerian government, including the security agencies. Let me take you a step further,
because we pretend we don’t know what is happening.

At a time Nigeria itself was hardly informed about what was going on in Jos, the international
community was fed with first class level of information on what was happening, including the use of
Blackberry (phone) to disseminate information about the crisis. In the wake of that crisis, a world press
conference was taking place in a mosque in Jos during the violence.

At that time, a lot of dead bodies were being taken off the streets, especially those of Christians. And
the international press conference was taking place in a mosque while the killing was still going on.
Within a few hours the report was on CNN and all over the place, including a well-prepared documentary
on the crisis that had not even been concluded, being sent from phone to phone worldwide.

Before we knew what was happening, Abuja was sending instructions, everybody was calling for the
removal of the governor of Plateau State at that time because the real news was being cloaked. Look, if
Nigerians do not know, experts in terror know how to carry out their operations without anybody’s
knowledge.

I am a consultant on conflict resolution. I have been working on this for the past 10 years. I want to
know who is that person or organisation that has covered the length and breadth of this country in terms
of religious crisis more than our organisation. Show me that person or organisation.
 I want to tell you that 10 years ago when we began to speak about these things, people refused to listen
to us. The only reason we have not gotten much cooperation is because we have never worked much with
American government agencies because, on behalf of Nigeria, I disagree with America’s policy on this
area.

American policy on Nigeria has been what they call dialogue. With their approach of dialogue, they
ignore what is known as the doctrine of deception, which fundamentalists use, something that is an
established doctrine in all schools of theology of Islam.

Let me tell you point blank the issue of Boko Haram. We have a report that we sent out earlier in
February on Muhammed Yusuf the leader of the radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram in Maiduguri.
Nobody can deny this because we sent all the reports to all agencies and all security forces had the report.
The pattern of terror goes beyond violence.

In the pattern of terror there are certain things you must understand; there is white collar terrorism that
attacks institutions. Now, all these forms of terror are happening in Nigeria. They have gotten to about 65
percent now.

Q: Do you believe that al-Qaeda has a presence in Nigeria?

A: Those security forces know that there is presence of al-Qaeda in Nigeria. If you go to the United
States report on the September 11 attack on America, Nigeria was mentioned in the official report.
Nigeria was mentioned because there were some Nigerians that were directly trained by bin Laden.
Beyond the training of Nigerians by bin Laden, the evidence of terrorism in Nigeria is obvious. Look, one
Nigerian was arrested in Cairo with pictures of key installations in Nigeria.

The point I am making is that, churches in Nigeria, because of the money that comes from foreign
funding, have found it convenient to follow the official line of foreign countries to the disadvantage of
our country. You see, we need to go back to 1958 that is where the real solution to this problem lies
because there is no leader now to correct these anomalies.

If you go to the northern states, there is an information blanket. These are states that are so dominated
by minority Islamic fanatics, so much so that if you are a Christian working in the civil service, you will
never be promoted.
 Zamfara State pretends as if there are no Christians in that state, whereas we have Christians there in
their thousands. Zamfara was about to introduce discriminatory school fees a while ago; that is, if you are
a Muslim, you pay this fee and as a Christian you pay that fee.

The last time they said one trouble started in the North over one woman who was said to have worn
trousers and walked by a mosque. We traced the woman, it was all a lie. Even before the Jos crisis started,
sharpshooters were posted by the police commissioner to go and guard the mosque before the trouble
started.

If you don’t know, Boko Haram is just one of the sects operating in Nigeria. We have about 26 Boko
Haram groups in Nigeria. And Muhammed Yusuf was boasting of 1.6 million followers in Nigeria. So I
want to tell you that what happened in Maiduguri only disabled 10 per cent of Boko Haram’s capabilities.

Where are the rest? One of the things we should be careful about is that these things would happen
again. Why was Yusuf summarily executed without any trial? I want to say point blank that if Yusuf was
allowed to talk, many people in high positions in the government would have been indicted including
people in the security forces. Had he not been arrested before? He was arrested before and taken to Abuja
but was later released? Who are the people who worked for his release?

Q: So, what is the role of foreign agents in all these?

A: First of all, I think the problem that we have is that the nation as a whole including the church is yet
to understand that, from Boko Haram crisis to the one in Maiduguri, where people were slaughtered and
churches burnt, we are not dealing with a local problem, we are not dealing with a regional but global
problem.

You see, they are hoping to downplay it. They want to downplay the global dimension. What I am
trying to tell you is that there is intelligence behind what is going on in Nigeria. I am going to give an
example. I said this once and I am going to say it again. If people think it is insensitive, it is their
business, because these are the people that are responsible for deaths in Nigeria, who work behind the
scene.

When the present president who has refused to relinquish his position due to his ill-health was the
serving governor of Katsina for eight years, he personally supervised the activities of the Sharia Court
without any publicity. Yar’Adua was the executive governor when Amina Lawal was to be stoned to
death.
 Now, if a country has a president that approves of death by stoning, why would you blame the son of
Mutallab for bringing the true form of Islamic fundamentalism? Didn’t you hear that his family said that
he was in Maiduguri during the Boko Haram riots?

Let me ask you a question; Are our children normally murderers? Before children can be turned to
murderers, is there not a process? Did that happen outside the country? Was anybody brought to book?
Was anybody jailed? The answer is no in spite of all the rumors they spread.

Then, what signals are we sending to terrorists when they see that children under the tent of Islamic
fundamentalism successfully killed their Christian teacher in Gombe State without being brought to
book? So, we need to put our heads together and acknowledge the fact that we have a huge terrorism
problem in Nigeria. They even have training camps established all over Nigeria. Not all training camps,
they have also influenced people in high positions all over Nigeria.

We must not support all the fraud that took place in the banking sector involving the Ibrus and
Akingbolas. We mustn’t support them for any reason. But at the same time, we must realize that ever
before the shakeup in the banking industry, there were reports that some axis felt that banking was too
southern and was too Christian.

And that banking has to be Islamized. This publication came up ever before Lamido Sanusi was
appointed the Central Bank of Nigeria governor. And after he was appointed, he has consistently made
remarks about the failure of western banking; that it is now time for Islamic banking.

The problem now is that if Islamic banking is allowed to take over in Nigeria, Sharia funding will take
over and none of the profit must be spent on anything that is haram (taboo). And there must be a
governing body that dictates what is haram and what is not haram. And according to my findings, there
was nothing like Islamic banking during the time of Prophet Muhammed.

And Islamic banking has been traced to terrorism. The first person who started Islamic banking was a
terrorist. And he was the one that said that it can be used as a tool of terror. Go and do your research and
you will find out all these facts.

Q: Was the Bauchi riot also part of terrorism?

A: It was another form of terrorism. The Bauchi riot in which the governor traveled out of town while
killing was still going on - a riot where we saw the mosque where the trouble started and the ammunition
that were used. When the police came to Bauchi, Bishop Musa Tula, who is the Christian Association of
Nigeria [CAN] chairman of the state, told me, and this is first hand information, because I called him:
 When government forces landed with ammunition, they were planted at particular places to cut off non-
Muslims from escaping. They were given instructions to intervene. When the Islamic militants swooped
in, they came with guns and ammunition. The innocent citizens, including Christians, were left at the
mercy of these people.

When they thought it had died down in the middle of the night, they started again. While this was going
on, the governor traveled. So, let me ask you, who is going to save Nigeria, if the forces of terror polarize
the Nigerian Army.

Q: Your NGO has done extensive work on killings in Nigeria. What are your findings?

A: Horrible is the word. Our findings are simple. Nigeria does not have a local problem, it has an
international dimension. Secondly, the infiltration of the judicial system in Nigeria has made it possible
for this crime to be committed without checks, such that terrorism is further emboldened in Nigeria,
because nobody has ever been punished for it.

In addition, the public relation of this organisation is so effective that Nigeria is considered as an
Islamic country outside Nigeria. The country is also descending, it lacks leadership. Morals have gone,
human life has no meaning. Youths are walking across deserts and dying. Kidnapping is becoming
normal in Nigeria.

Corruption is increasing and nobody has the boldness to check the advance of these decays. The only
people who have the courage and the strength to do this are the Islamic fundamentalists. The terrorists are
the only people with the future plan for Nigeria because they are well coordinated.

Q: So what do you think are the goals of these groups of people; to divide Nigeria?

A: They are not planning to divide Nigeria. But their plan is to Islamize the whole country. They want
Sharia in every state of this country. They said that they don’t want Western education. Western
education is minor in their agitation. If Western education was really the problem, how many schools did
Boko Haram bum in Maiduguri?

How many professors were attacked? How many universities were destroyed? All they did was to bum
churches and beheading non-Muslims.
[Description of Source: Lagos TheNews in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria Report Decries Lack of Security Reports, Surveillance on Religious Sects

AFP20100111642001 Lagos TELL in English 04 Jan 10 pp 32-33

[Report by Abdulrafiu Lawal: "At the Mercy of Bigots"]

Religious fundamentalists set Bauchi on fire again catching the authorities unawares

When Daniel Jatau, an indigene of Bauchi State, retired as a senior supervisor at the Central Bank of
Nigeria after a meritorious service in 2004, he quickly used his retirement benefit to build a three-
bedroom flat and boys' quarters of seven rooms at Zango, a suburb of Bauchi.

His plan was to use the rent from the boys' quarters to pay his children's school fees, while he and his
family lived in the main flat. Everything had worked according to plan until the early hours of Monday,
December 28, 2009 when intra-sectarian violence among members of Kalo Kato sect, a notorious group
of Islamic fundamentalists based in the area, reduced Jatau's property to ashes within three hours.

Narrating his ordeal to the magazine in a voice laced with grief, Jatau said that he saw it coming and he
informed the police. But shortly after a police patrol left the scene, the sect members numbering about
300 barricaded the entrance to their enclave and became more daring, shooting sporadically in the air.
 Jatau was becoming more frightened by the minute as everything was done in front of his house being
the road leading to the sect leader's house. The last episode, which shocked him to the bone marrow, was
the killing of a young man and his friend on a motorcycle when he ran into their barricade in front of his
house.

His house was on fire and razed along with others including his car and other belongings. When he
visited the site the following day, Jatau had to be assisted out of the scene by neighbors who feared that
he could collapse.

"Now, I may have to start life from the scratch as my loss is about N11 million and my head is
completely blank at the moment because I do not have a place to put my family not to talk of the next
meal for my children."

The plight of Amina Isa, a housewife who lives three houses from the sect leader's house, is not
different from Jatau as she lost everything to the mayhem. Isa said that she could not believe what she
saw as she was running away with her four children. "Children of the sect members who usually come to
buy cooking items from me like seasoning powder, salt, and dry pepper were the ones who set fire on my
two rooms." Isa said that she has, however, taken consolation in the fact that none of her children was
hurt.

For Musa Mohammadu, a 60-year-old man who is the immediate neighbor of the sect leader as only a
mud fence separated their houses, said that he has lived in the area for 20 years but all the features of
good neighborliness have never existed between them.

At the end of the Kala Kato mayhem, the seventh sectarian violence in the 31-month-old Isa Yuguda
administration in Bauchi, 38 people lay dead. The dead include a soldier, a policeman attached to Bauchi
State joint security outfit known as Operation Flush Out and the leader of the sect known as Malam
Badamasi.

Five houses were also torched with 18 people injured and currently receiving treatment at the Bauchi
State Specialist Hospital. Twenty suspects are cooling their heels at the police command. The offence of
the Muslims and Christians whose houses were torched was that the sect believed they had been feeding
security agencies with information about their activities.

The police commissioner refused the magazine access to the injured victims, who were on admission in
Ward 2 of the tightly secured hospital where injured members of the Boko Haram sect were also treated
few months ago.
 Tracing the genesis of the crisis, Atiku Kafur, the Bauchi State police commissioner said that the clash
between members of the Kalo Kato sect resulted from a strange illness that afflicted Badamasi, the leader
of the sect. He said that Badamasi's attempt to cure the illness, which looked like pox, failed and he was
advised to go to the wife of one of his members who could cure him.

On getting there, he was reportedly told that one of his members was behind his predicament and was
plotting to kill him in order to take over the leadership of the sect. Badamasi was shocked to hear this and
this strained his relationship with his deputy whom he suspected.

Thus, the stage was set for a bloody clash. The episode polarized the sect into two camps: one led by
Badamasi and the other by his deputy, Mallam Umar. Both camps started preaching sessions in the
enclave aimed at bringing each other's image into disrepute and condemned political leaders in the state
referring to them as infidels.

The last straw that broke the camel's back was the attempt by members of the Operation Flush Out team
to stop the sect's inflammatory preaching last Monday resulting in the killing of a soldier. The Kala-Kato
sect is made up of the remnants of the notorious Maitatsine sect led by late Muhammadu Marwa, which
held northern Nigeria by the jugular in the 1980s.

The group with large following in Borno, Plateau, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto States,
sees members as puritans and live in enclaves. Their enclaves are cut off from other members of the
population and members never marry outside their group.

Musa Muhammadu, the immediate neighbor of the sect leader for many years until the mayhem,
revealed that most members of the sect are Nigerians who observe their five daily prayers and Jumaat
prayers in their leader's house and do not pray with anyone outside their sect. He said that the major
difference between them and other Muslims stems from their radical and anti-establishment preaching
and mode of prayer.

The people of Zango community had always been apprehensive of their activities and complained to
security agencies but nothing was done. Another fundamental issue bordering the minds of Bauchi
residents was why there was no security report on the activities of the sect in spite of the tension that was
building up amongst them for about three weeks.

The security agencies happened not to have learnt any lesson from the Boko Haram crisis, as they
underestimated the capacity of the group hence it took them hours to crush a group of about 300 people.
 Governor Isa Yuguda, reputed to have gold medal among governors in the North-east for globe-trotting,
was outside the country when the mayhem erupted and had not returned 48 hours after. Sources say
Yuguda is away to London to see his youngest wife, Nafisat, who is also President Yar'Adua's daughter.
Nafisat is reported to have gone to London to see her doctors.

But Sanusi Muhammadu, special assistant on media affairs to the governor, said that Yuguda was in
Saudi Arabia for the past one week holding meetings with officials of the International Islamic Relief
Organization, Jeddah where he signed an agreement with them on December 23, 2009. A copy of the
agreement was shown to the magazine.

He added that the governor's trips are aimed at attracting investors. "The trips have yielded dividends
like securing admission for Bauchi students to read specialized courses in universities abroad, signing an
agreement with a South Korean firm for a hydro electricity project, recruitment of 30 Egyptian doctors
and two German firms that will establish a building material factory and a refinery in Bauchi soon,"
Muhammadu explained.

The governor would have to work hard to sustain the interest of willing investors, who may be scared
by the frequent occurrence of sectarian violence. However, the theatre of ethno-religious conflict in the
North has not been restricted to Bauchi. The Boko Haram crisis spread to Borno.

Yet before the Boko Haram there was the Jos crisis and the Kaltungo religious crisis in Gombe State in
2000. Some of the crises are caused by a display of extremist views or attempts at protecting adherents
from being "polluted" by the values or preaching of other religious beliefs.

Example of the latter is the attempt to stop a Christian crusade scheduled to be addressed by Reinhard
Bonnke, an international evangelist, in Kano in 1991. An ensuing confrontation between adherents of
both religions resulted in thousands of deaths and loss of properties.

Religious riots started in Zaria, Kaduna State in 1980, about seven months before the tragic Maitatsine
riots that claimed over 4,000 lives in Kano the same year. Over the years, the findings of judicial panels
set up to probe the crises are hardly used to prevent a recurrence.

Mahmud Isa Duguri, the Imam of the Bakin Kura Jumaat Mosque, Bauchi, told the magazine that the
Boko Haram crisis, the Faruok Muttallab saga, and the Kala-Kato mayhem are sad commentaries for the
image of Islam and its adherents.

To him, Our'an and hadith do not support violence or terrorism in any form because its central focus is
unity and peace and that only self-defense during crisis is accepted in Islam. He says, "Any Muslim who
deliberately sheds the blood of other people or engages in any act of terrorism runs contrary to the
teachings of Prophet Mohammed and will incur Allah's wrath in the world hereafter."

As normalcy gradually returns to Bauchi, the latest episode may further compound the political hurdles
of Yuguda whose second name has become controversy. He is yet to recover from the controversy which
followed his return to the Peoples Democratic Party in April last year and the impeachment of his deputy,
Gadi Mohammed, a development that is now a subject of litigation.

[Description of Source: Lagos TELL in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Court Remands 18 'Suspected' Islamic Sect Members to Prison Custody

AFP20100113581003 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 13 Jan 10

[Report by James Bwala: "Another 18 Boko Haram Members Remanded in Prison"]

Another set of 18 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, who allegedly participated in the July
2009 sectarian crisis in Maiduguri, were on Tuesday remanded in prison custody by Wulari Chief
Magistrate court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Waziri Mohammed.

The Borno State Police command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Isa Azare, told newsmen that
the suspects were arrested last week at various locations in the state capital, but declined to comment
whether they were carrying weapons.
When the case came up for mention, lead prosecuting counsel from the Borno State Ministry of Justice,
Bukar Bundi, told the court that the suspects were being tried on a 10-count charge of criminal
conspiracy, joint act, inciting disturbance, unlawful assembly and possession of deadly weapons.

Although the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges, Bundi however prayed the court to
remand them in prison custody to enable him gather more facts on the case.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Niger: Newspaper Says Graft, Instability Increasing Al-Qa'ida Threat

AFP20100114950067 Tamtaminfo in French 13 Jan 10

[Report by Moussa Aksar entitled "Islamist threat in Niger: AlQa'ida is around" first published in
privately-owned Niger weekly newspaper L'Evenement]

There was fighting between Arab Jihadists and the Niger Defence and Security Forces [FDS] at the
Telemces area located about 80km from Tahoua [in northwestern Niger] last week. Ten persons,
including seven soldiers, were killed. Among them was the leader of the team, a sub-officer, who was
felled in the earlier hours of the fighting. The attackers lost two men.

The arrival of military reinforcement in the Tahoua area with 120mm mortar guns routed the attackers
who were dislodged before fleeing. According to our sources, a group of assailants succeeded in fleeing
towards the nearby Malian border and another was still hiding in the valley. In fact, this area is located in
a valley, surrounded by trees and caverns. This makes it an ideal safe haven for outlaws. Currently, the
Defence and Security Forces are in control of the area, we are told.
According to a communique by the Ministry of National Defence, the FDS recovered a vehicle full of
arms. We must say that the heavy death toll recorded on the side of the Defence and Security Forces does
not reflect in any way the reality of the forces on the ground. On the Malian border some days earlier, the
Defence and Security Forces arrested three men suspected of attempted hostage taking. The terrorist
threat which became visible on 11 September 2001 with the attacks on American targets continues to stir
up a lot of fear not only in Western circles but also in Africa.

The recent attempts of attacks, abductions of Westerners and the killing of four Saudi nationals are a
further proof that the strong determination of the Western countries did not make it possible to control the
terrorist threat in the world. Even if it is weakened, the terrorist network continues to append its signature
to several terrorist acts that organisations commit in its name. Meanwhile, the tracking of Usamah Bin
Ladin is at its height with fighting between the Pakistani army and Taliban fighters in the tribal areas of
Pakistan. But, the most sought-after man of the world remains at large. [Passage omitted].

It is in Yemen that the abortive assassination of the deputy interior minister, Prince Bin-Nayif, was
organised in August and ended up with the killing of four Saudi nationals. It is also said, however, that a
second group of Saudis, made up of about 10 "poachers", accompanied by five Malians and seven Niger
nationals from Mali, was intercepted in the wake of the attack which resulted in the death of four Saudis
in the Diambala area (Tillaberi Region [northwestern Niger]). They spent the night in a military camp
before being led to Niamey. But the most surprising issue is that these Saudis were reportedly not
worried.

They were consequently released. Contrary to the affirmations of the Collective of Human Rights
Organisations and Democracy (CODDHD), the authorities were well aware of the arrival of the Saudis
and their itinerary. They knew well that the Saudi "hunters" had a right to a transit visa. This increase in
activism by the Islamists in Niger is explained by the fact that the armed groups are trying to make Niger
a bridgehead for Al Qa'idah in the Sahel. The porous nature of the borders and the immense extent of the
desert, coupled with the political instability lend themselves well to the manoeuvres of the nebulous
Salafists.

It would be recalled that a Mauritanian, a member of a dormant cell of Al Qa'idah was arrested by the
Niger security services in the Borbel District of Niamey last year. The latter succeeded in merging into
the masses by marrying a Niger woman. He was carrying out the duty of an imam in the mosque of the
district when he was arrested. The kidnapping of Canadian diplomats and their driver some kilometres
from Niamey in December 2008 is illustrative enough of the fact that the Salafist threat is real in Niger.
The lessons to be learned from the Telemces events are that in a general manner, the terrorist groups
manage to settle down much more easily in areas that are facing some instability. The agitated political
atmosphere and its consequences on the country's stability are an aggravating factor for insecurity.

To that we must add the high degree of corruption in the country which can make it possible for the
Islamists to buy intermediary services for their cause. And without arranging anything, the United States
redirected its assistance to Niger for fighting insecurity to other countries that respect the rules of
democracy. This can facilitate the infiltration of Al Qa'idah.
The state must also keep an eye on some Nigerian preachers who come regularly to the Niger territory,
often to spread extremist ideas. These preachers must be monitored the more as this country was faced
with two armed insurrections led by extremist Islamist groups within some months' interval: the Boko
Haram in July and the Kalakato a few days ago. All of them resulted in hundreds of deaths. The hunt
carried out by the Nigerian authorities can push the Nigerian Islamists to infiltrate Niger.

Niger armed forces hardened against terrorists

In fact, in the past the Niger armed forces had to wage forceful operations against the Islamists who tried
to infiltrate into the Niger territory. As proof of it the Niger armed forces made life so difficult for the
Algerian Islamist Abdelaziz El Para to the point that the latter was hunted and forced to seek refuge in
Chad where he was captured finally. Col Mounkaila Mody, who is today the chief of army staff, was
forced in the past to neutralize the Islamist fighters who tried to infiltrate into Niger.

Some men of the Defence and Security Forces underwent training within the framework of the Pan Sahel
Initiative under the American trainers so as to confront the threats of destabilisation such as that of the
Islamists of Al Qa'idah.[Passage omitted].

Terrorists who are increasing attacks in the whole world under the banner of Islam decided to install a
new world order which matches their extremist vision. But the Al Qa'idah business can be made bankrupt
with a coordination of the fight and the placing of means at the disposal of weaker countries.

[Description of Source: Tamtaminfo in French -- Niger independent web portal. URL:

http://www.tamtaminfo.com]

Nigeria: Report Identifies Bauchi as Hotbed for Religious Extremism, Crises

AFP20100120619002 Lagos Nigerian Newsworld in English 18 Jan 10 - 25 Jan 10 pp 12-18

[Report by Augustine Okezie: "Breeding Religious Extremists"]

Bauchi State is fast becoming a breeding ground for religious extremism judging from the number of
crises that have rocked the state since 1999

Hoards of security operatives at the checkpoints that littered the road to Bauchi from Jos, leave no one
in doubt that Bauchi State is indeed experiencing a religious crisis. In addition, the frequent security
meetings by the state executive council, attest to the fact that all is not well with a state that prides itself
as the gateway of the north east geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

In the words of Mohammed Sanni, a motorcyclist and resident of the city: "It only takes a distress shout
by an individual at the city centre, for pandemonium to be let loose on the entire citizenry as they scamper
for their safety."

Since 1991, Bauchi State has been witnessing religious and communal crises. The latest was the
December 26, 2009 bloodletting, which was masterminded by the Kala Kato sect. Several accounts were
rendered by different sources on what caused the fracas but the most credible was that narrated by Alhaji
Hassan, the Sariki Sango of Bauchi.

According to him, the fracas was ignited by internal wrangling involving members of the sect. A female
member of the sect had incited another member against the leadership, thereby causing in-house
squabbles which later on spiraled into the streets.

Eventually, the entire members of the sect blockaded Sango market, causing pandemonium in the
process. Members of the security outfit, otherwise known as "operation flush" were alerted and a member
of the squad, a soldier was killed when he came to quell the crisis. Even a commercial motorbike rider
that was passing by was killed, including some other innocent lives that were lost.

Faced by the mounting security pressure, the gang leader, Malam Gbadamasi and his members retreated
to the entrance of their heavily fortified walls, preventing neighbors from having access or passing the
road to nearby houses.
 Mallam Yakubu Wambai, the Wakili Sariki Sango of Bauchi was at this point sent to confront the sect
leader, which he did. In an encounter, the sect leader replied that they were praying to their God and
nothing more than that. In an ensuing encounter between the gang and members of the operation flush
squad, the gang leader was killed from a hail of bullets alongside some leading members of the sect.

When the Newsworld visited the General Hospital in Bauchi, wounded citizens and members of the
gang who were injured during the exchange of gunfire were seen on hospital beds, receiving medical
attention in the heavily guarded hospital. The sect leader had earlier resisted the bullets fired at him due to
charms and amulets that he was wearing, before he was eventually overpowered and killed.

The police, in its account by the deputy commissioner, Indabawa, corroborated the story by the
traditional leaders of Sango. They only added that about four lives were lost with several injuries
sustained. There were heavy material losses including the burning of residential houses and other
properties such as motorcycles and cars. Even the house of the sect leader and his deputy were completely
ransacked and burnt.

According to the police, the fracas was promptly quelled without unnecessary time lag. "Unlike the
Boko Haram issue, we did not allow them to strike; we struck first. Bauchi State's response was
remarkable. We got the information and we acted on it fast alongside the military. It took us an hour and
half and it was all over," said the deputy commissioner of police.

The Boko Haram religious crisis was another religious fracas that preceded that of the Kala Kato crisis
in Bauch State on July 26, 2009. The Boko Haram (Western education is sin) campaigners’ sect leader,
Mohammed Yususf, started in Maiduguri, Borno State. The Bauchi version was in response to the crisis
that erupted in Maiduguri. Several lives were lost and there were more damages to properties than that of
the Kala Kato riot.

Earlier, religious crises in Bauchi State have left several untold hardship and wanton destruction of
properties in its wake. In 1991 for instance, a religious crisis broke out during the national sports festival
that was hosted by Bauchi State. There were several other religious riots in 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007, and
2008.

These riots were however not masterminded by any religious sect, except that of 2009. The trend from
2009 changed with the introduction of sect leaders and camps who masterminded subsequent religious
upheavals, using their followers who have been brainwashed with extremist ideologies.

The religious riot of 2006 is very remarkable in that, for the first time, what happened in a foreign land,
reverberated in Nigeria and indeed in Bauchi State. In that riot, a cartoon that was interpreted as making a
caricature of Prophet Mohammed by a Danish artist, was widely condemned by Muslims all over the
world, but in Bauchi State, the response was extremely violent.
 Theses chronologies of religious riots in Bauchi State, no doubt rightly earns it the emerging hotbed of
religious crisis in Nigeria. The current practice now is the situation where the various sect leaders
mastermind the crises, rather than having a cross section of the entire religious faith, demonstrating on the
streets.

A senior lecturer in the History and Religious Studies department at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
University in the town, who craved anonymity, observed that religious crisis and indeed religious
extremism in Bauchi State were precipitated by the existence of different "religious camps and sects
under one leadership or the other."

These sect leaders and sects in turn attempt imposing their own status on their members in other to
establish a thorough religious culture and identity for themselves. Corroborating this opinion, Yakubu
Wambili, the Wakili Sango of Bauchi, explained that majority of these sect leaders and their adherents are
not indigenes of Bauchi but immigrants from neighboring north eastern states and bordering countries of
Niger Republic and Cameroon.

According to him, parents and relations of the children entrusted their wards and relations to the care of
these Islamic teachers in the belief that they will be imparted the true knowledge of the Koran. The
situation however results to the contrary, as the so-called preachers and sect leaders turn midstream to
pervert their religious teachings and resort to false indoctrination of their adherents.

Under normal circumstances, the parents and relations of the children are supposed to intervene and
withdraw their children as soon as they discover that things are going awry, but Malam Sani Hassan, the
Barde of Sango-Bauchi, observed that "Most parents and relations readily loose touch with their children
once they are handed over to the Islamic clerics and Mallams, due to the distance between where the sect
is located and where the parents reside.

In any case, a child taken away from his parents in a location in Yola or Maiduguri in Adamawa and
Borno States and taken to a place like Sango in Bauchi, easily looses contact and is forgotten by the
parents. According to him, withdrawing their wards from such Koranic schools or teaching centers is only
possible if the parents are living within the same environment. In some cases the fortified walls that
encompass such religious camps often hinders access and needed interaction between the parents and
their children.

Another factor that promotes the growth of religious extremism is the false belief in the supernatural
protection it offers. An Islamic cleric who also craves anonymity observed that several sect leaders
brainwash their adherents with the false impression that, "Paradise and Angels are waiting to accord them
special recognition, should they die in their course."
 Some of the sect leaders even confer some temporary protection and charms to their followers. As
Yakubu Wambai observed, "when bullets were fired at the Kala kato sect leader and members, it did not
penetrate them, they simply cleared the bullets off their bodies while at the same time attacking innocent
citizens and passers-by." The provision of some protection therefore encourages new members to enlist
into the membership of such religious camps.

The growing number of the different religious Islamic sects with divergent views and interpretations of
the Holy Quran is another disturbing dimension. In the opinion of Alhaji Sani Sambo, a Bauchi resident,
"in a state with the population of five million people, Bauchi already has five major Islamic sects
including the Darika sect, Izalatu Bida sect, Jundullahi sect, Kala Kato sect, and Shi’Atu sect, with many
more that are bound to come on stream."

A generally held view amongst residents is that if nothing is done to checkmate this multiplicity of
religious sects and camps in Bauchi, the situation may get out of hand.

Several questions and alarming concerns have been raised on the upsurge in religious extremism in
Bauchi and the various religious crises that hardly elude the state. In the opinion of Alhaji Mohammed
Ibrahim Liman, the deputy chief Imam of the Bauchi Central Mosque and the Grand Khadi of the Sharia
Court of Appeal in Bauchi, "followers of these religious sects have been brainwashed with perverted
views.

They were trained not to tolerate descent and are therefore uncompromising with opposing views. It is
impossible to win them over to the more reasonable and sensible side." The hallmark of religious
extremism which is a forerunner to religious crises therefore is the refusal to be tolerant and a resolute
position on held views and interpretations, especially on religious matters.

Even Mallam Isah Mohammed, a Koranic (Islamiya) teacher in Bauchi, is of the opinion that the twin
social problems of illiteracy and poverty, greatly encourage religious intolerance because the most
vulnerable in religious indoctrination are the less educated and illiterate members of the society and
children, who easily swallow hook, line, and sinker whatever they are taught without questioning.

A hungry mouth that sees opportunity for regular feeding, will readily accept to stay in any environment
and camp that offers steady food supply. The social living conditions prevalent in Bauchi State, coupled
with the declining literacy levels are providing the needed fodder for the emergence of religious
extremism in the State.

Several security and social implications arise in the continued growth of religious extremism and
violence in Bauchi and by extension, Nigeria. In the words of M.A. Indabawa, deputy commissioner of
police in Bauchi State, "the escalation of religious extremism and violence threatens our national security
and unity as a nation. It encourages instability and denies the nation the needed peace for good
governance and co-existence.

It is undeniable that incidence of religious violence, leaves in its wake, such attendant social dislocation
like people relocating from one area to another and the paralysis of social and economic activities in such
affected areas." Consequently, areas that are prone to religious crisis hardly develop at the same parity
with other cities.

Even on the international scene, religious extremism breaches international security through terrorist
activities because products of religious extremism and violence are veritable carriers of suicide bombs
and terrorist attacks.

Addressing the challenges of religious extremism and violence have become more Herculean and
tasking, given its widening dimensions, but several opinions are united that the situation can be remedied.

Dr. Abubakar Minjibir, a director in the Centre for Juvenile Delinquency Awareness, Bauchi, said that
"children that are brainwashed on religious extremism easily develop pathological hatred for individuals
and opposing notions and they readily jump to the opportunity of waging war against them.

Umaru Farouk Mutallab, is a clear example and beneficiary of religious extremism whose actions have
become an international embarrassment and concern. Other implications that are inherent include
undermining national cohesion and the polarization of the country. In the words of Minjibir: "It is only a
blend of Islamic and Western education that can adequately accommodate divergent views and opinions,
and guarantee religious tolerance."

According to Alhaji Ibrahim Danjida, the secretary to the government of Bauchi State, "enforcing the
registration of Islamic preachers and sect leaders, the vetting of Islamic preaching to checkmate inciting
messages, and restriction of open air preaching, are steps that can drastically reduce religious intolerance.

In the opinion of Alhaji Hassan Danladi, the Sarki Sango of Bauchi, "empowering the traditional rulers,
who are directly living closer to these sect leaders, will ensure that their excesses are effectively checked.
The sect leaders are best monitored by those living closer to them and who are in position to blow the
whistle whenever matters begin to get out of hand.

A situation where traditional rulers and elders are rendered powerless in the face of alarming crisis, due
to lack of enabling laws, ensures the escalation of such situation since these sect leaders exhibit greater
recognition to traditional rulers than conventional security agencies. It is widely imperative that the office
and position of traditional rulers should be strengthened to stem the rising tide of religious intolerance,"
he suggested.

Canvassing the need to control religious preaching and incitement, a popular Islamic cleric, Sheik
Sherrifiden, suggested that "public preaching and teaching of Islamic knowledge should be censored as a
genuine way of bringing sanity into the system." In the opinion of the learned Islamic scholar, preaching
and teaching of Islamic knowledge has been abused by quacks and have backed clerics with altruistic
motives that are anything but divine.

The use of abusive words and incitement in sermons and preaching must be discouraged so that people
can begin to understand clearly that Islam is all about peace."

The Bauchi State Police Commissioner sued for peaceful co-existence and tolerance as a panacea for
religious extremism and violence. In his opinion, "the police will promptly deal with any breach of public
peace and violence. People should come forward to disclose information on religious intolerance and
threat to peace.

[Description of Source: Lagos Nigerian Newsword in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Government Prosecutes 109 People Over 2009 Borno State Sectarian Crisis

AFP20100130565005 Lagos Vanguard Online in English 29 Jan 10

[Unattributed report: "FG Prosecutes 109 People Over Boko Haram Crisis"]

The Federal Government says it has so far prosecuted 109 people over the 2009 Boko Haram crisis in
Borno state.
The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in protest against western education, rampaged in August 2009, killing
indiscriminately.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Michael Aondoakaa said at a forum
in Abuja that the killings constituted culpable homicide punishable with death.

He said that the culprits were charged with the use of explosives, fire arms and mischief by fire.

Aondoakaa said the body of Attorneys-General had embarked on a renewal of its efforts to improve the
process of prosecution.

He said there was also the need for synergy between the office of the attorney general and investigating
police officers (IPO).

The minister said that it was not for the police to lock up people when there was no evidence to secure a
conviction.

Aondoakaa said the communal and religious crises in Jos and other parts of the north did not arise from
the failure of prosecution but from the difficulties associated with prosecution.

"When people sometimes are charged to court, they reconcile and do not come to court to testify.

"As a prosecutor, even when I charge you to court and nobody comes to give evidence, I cannot get a
conviction," he noted.

He was happy that the new anti-terrorism Act makes offences, such as murder, kidnapping, hostage
taking, and insurrection against the state punishable with life imprisonment. The minister was also happy
that the Act grants the Federal and State High courts the jurisdiction to try treason cases.

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.vanguardngr.com]
Forum Administrator Condemns 'Massacres of Muslims,' Vows 'Return' of Boko Haram

GMP20100129479009 Jihadist Websites -- OSC Summary in Arabic 29 Jan 10

[For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615, or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.]

On 29 January, "Asad al-Islam" (user number 5) posted a message on the Mujahidin Electronic Net
website entitled "Revenge, Revenge, O Boko Haram." The author, a forum administrator, denounces
"Christian massacres against Muslims in the city of Jos in Nigeria," and vows that "the mujahidin of Boko
Haram will return."

OSC has recently monitored the Mujahidin Electronic Net website at http://majahden.com/vb/. A source
descriptor will be issued following a review of the website's behavior over time.

A translation of the message follows:

"Revenge, Revenge, O Boko Haram

"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate...My beloved brothers, may the peace, mercy, and
blessings of God be upon you. My beloved, today I move to Africa, specifically to the city of Jos, where
Christians are the majority.

"O monotheist brothers, observe the Christians' spite for and killing of Muslims. The American and
secularist dogs of the world cry out Where are the human rights of Christians in the land of Egypt?
because of the massacre at Naj Hammadi. O worshippers of the Cross, where do you stand on the
massacres of Muslims in the Sulawesi [Province] in Indonesia, the massacres of Muslims in Nigeria, and
the massacres of Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, the Philippines, Thailand, and Somalia. Where
are you? You are sleeping and taking shelter behind your Cross, but, God willing, we will break them
upon your necks.

"Christian massacres against Muslims in the city of Jos in Nigeria:

"O beloved brothers, revenge is coming, God willing. The believing sect, the mujahidin of Boko Haram
will return, and God willing, the worshippers of the Cross will be slaughtered. 'Ah! Verily, the help of
Allah is (always) near!' [Koranic verse, Al-Baqara, 2:214]."

Highlights: Jihadist Forums Carry Reactions to AQLIM Statement on Nigeria

GMP20100204208001 Jihadist Websites -- OSC Summary in Arabic 02 Feb 10 - 03 Feb 10

[For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615, or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.]

On 2-3 February, forum participants on various jihadist websites posted comments in response Al-Qa'ida
in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM) latest statement "Genocide Against Muslims in Nigeria
New Episode in Ongoing Crusade," which was filed by OSC as GMP20100201136006. Forum members
suggest translating the statement into English and Hausa, a language spoken in much of northern Nigeria,
so that people in Nigeria can read it and learn of AQLIM's support. They also recommend spreading the
word by using various social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and instant messaging. In
addition, they advocate raising Arab Muslim awareness about the "atrocities" taking place in Nigeria
against Muslims.

Al-Fallujah Islamic Forums Website:

The Al-Fallujah Islamic Forums website, formerly known as Al-Fallujah Islamic Minbar, at
http://202.71.102.68/~alfaloj/vb is a jihadist forum containing discussions and statements in support of
the insurgency in Iraq and global jihad in general.
-- In a message entitled "Workshop: Eradicating the Muslims in Nigeria Is a New Episode in the
Continuous Crusader War," a forum participant asks members to wage a campaign to support "their
brothers in Nigeria" on two fronts: "First front: for the Muslims in Nigeria, the purpose of this is to
convey the mujahidin statement, incite for jihad, and prepare and train [them] in the mujahidin camps.
Methods: accurate translation of the statement into English, watch the most important Nigerian forums as
a prelude to flooding them information. Second front: directed to the Muslims and its goal is to introduce
the tragedies of the Muslims in Nigeria." The poster asks everyone to participate. (by "Hafid Yusuf Ibn
Tashfin" (user number 5013); Thread 101569) This message generated the following responses:

"Good idea, God bless you, we await the translation. These are some of the Nigerian forums [links]. Look
at the Crusaders' comments by members about the operation of the brother Faruq al-Nayjiri [Umar Farouk
Abdulmutallab], which shows their hatred [link]" (by "Abu Hashim" (user number 13398); Thread
101569)

"God bless you Hafid Yusuf, great opinion. As for the translation, if the brothers could translate the
statement into French, that would be better." (by "malik" (user number 3849); Thread 101569)

"As soon as the statement came out yesterday the Crusader news agencies were broadcasting this news,
may God fight them. They watch everything on our blessed forums, may God protect them. 'Al-Qa'ida in
North Africa Offers To Help Nigerian Muslims To Combat Christians' Washington Examiner [links] and
many other sites. Therefore men, we need a lot of effort to beat them, God willing." (by "aqim007" (user
number 14183); Thread 101569)

"As for translating the statement into French, this falls under the work of the second front. Let us look at
the following map:

"The closest point separating the Islamic Maghreb from Nigeria is Mali and Niger. They are Islamic
countries and their main language is French. They are the closest and take precedence, according to
Shari'ah, in supporting our brothers in Nigeria, along with most of the countries surrounding it where
Muslims are the majority and speak French. Perhaps our brothers in Niger, Mali, Cameroon, and Chad
can become intermediaries between the mujahidin in the Islamic Maghreb and our brothers in Nigeria.
Wishing that the brother Abu Khubab al-Nayjiri joins us, for he knows better than us about the situation
in the country. The task requires determination as big as a mountain and a complete, comprehensive, and
professional action, so who is ready for it, O supporters of jihad." (by "Hafid Yusuf Ibn Tashfin" (user
number 5013); Thread 101569)

"English is the official language in Nigeria and the Boko Haram group and their families are learning
Arabic. However, the common language from Nigeria to Ghana is the Hausa language, which the Muslim
Hausa tribe speaks. There is a BBC Hausa-language broadcast; this is its site [link] and this is the
broadcast on Twitter entered by all the Hausa-speaking people [link]. Also there is Facebook waiting to
be translated into Hausa to be published, God willing. I present to you the Muslims in Nigeria." (by
"aqim007" (user number 14183); Thread 101569)

"Then the concentration will be, God willing, on Hausa, English, and French." (by "Hafid Yusuf Ibn
Tashfin" (user number 5013); Thread 101569)

"Is there a site to upload books and statements, like YouTube, where we are able to read the book on the
site without uploading it, I forgot its name and I am hoping that one of the brothers knows it because it is
useful on Twitter." (by "aqim007" (user number 14183); Thread 101569)

"A group that has 530 Nigerians is on Facebook [link]." (by "aqim007" (user number 14183); Thread
101569)

"[In response to "aqim007"'s request above, a forum member posts link to scribd.com site] [link]" (by
"Muhanad" (user number 10714); Thread 101569)

"This is what I was looking for." (by "aqim007" (user number 14183); Thread 101569)

"For the first time, the Al-Qa'ida statement in Hausa in Nigeria, by the brother Abu Khubab al-Nayjiri
from Shumukh al-Islam" (by "Abu Humam" (user number 5832); Thread 101569)

Image of the Hausa translation of the AQLIM statement

-- In a message entitled "Who Has the Right To Draw the Map of the Middle East, Al-Qa'ida or Israel?
The Introduction," a forum participant discusses that al-Qai'da is going to redraw the map of the Middle
East by expanding the jihadist fronts. The forum member also exclaims "Rejoice, Nigeria will be new
front for al-Qai'da." (by "Abu Shadiyah" (user number 4497); Thread 101576) This message generated
the following responses:

"My brother, I believe that Al-Qa'ida will soon draw a new map for the Levant and pave the way for the
destruction of the Lebanese state and the dispersion of the rejectionist [Shiite] party; I will not say more."
(by "Abwah Lasiqah" (user number 9224); Thread 101576)

"Yes it is a map drawn by Al-Qa'ida and the last battle is in Palestine, as you said, but the path will be
difficult, painful, and confusing at times. As you said, the role of the jihadist media in the coming event
will be central and definitive. Here I ask all brothers to work on the ideology of our media and how to
develop it to reach a higher standard for the upcoming events and we are with them, God willing." (by
"Abu al-Fadl al-Madi" (user number 5772); Thread 101576)

"Expand the role of the Islamic colleges that have opened lately on the media outposts to include classes
and sessions in the arts of the jihadist media, not only lessons in montage but even in psychology,
replying to falsehoods, and methods of convincing and deployment, so who is ready for this?" (by "Hafid
Yusuf Ibn Tashfin" (user number 5013); Thread 101576)

Shumukh al-Islam Network:

The Shumukh al-Islam Network forum at http://shamikh.net/vb/ is dedicated to news on Iraqi insurgent
groups along with news related to the activities of global Al-Qa'ida affiliates. It was established in early
April 2007. It disseminates announcements from such groups as The Islamic State of Iraq, Al-Rashidin
Army, and Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb. In addition to the news and announcements
forums, it contains a separate section for the Islamic State of Iraq and displays that group's flag in its title
banner.

-- In a message entitled "Who Will Convey the Message of Amir Abd al-Wadud," a forum participant
writes that the mujahidin in the Islamic Maghreb offered their condolences to the Muslims in Nigeria and
asks what has been done for the Muslims in Nigeria. "Have you not read the statement? Has not the
shaykh, may God protect him, said send us your sons to train and to give them weapons?" He then
wonders how to convey this message to the people in Nigeria and asks: "Who would give us the statement
translated into English and publish it in the Nigerian forums and Islamic gatherings." He says that if there
is anyone who can give him the English translation, he will then offer the Hausa translation of the
statement. He posts a map of recent AQLIM attacks in North Africa. (by "Abu Khubab al-Nayjiri" (user
number 11181); Thread 58146)

The above message generated the following responses:

"Your brothers in Al-Fallujah [ Islamic Forums ] are already on it. 'Workshop: Eradicating the Muslims in
Nigeria is a New Episode in the Continuous Crusader War' [link]" (by "malik" (user number 1039);
Thread 58146)

"I bring to you glad tidings, the message is conveyed [link]. This newspaper translated the statement and
published it. Note that this site is ranked as the 20th most visited site in Nigeria. The title of the article is
Al-Qa'ida Offers To Train and Arm the Nigerians. [The writer of the article is] surprised why Al-Qa'ida
Organization would make such an offer. They do not know that the Muslims are one nation." (by
"NotReal" (user number 2090); Thread 58146)
"Rejoice brother, the message is conveyed [link] on the largest Nigerian forum; it is ranked ninth on
Alexa and if the global sites are not counted then it is the first [highest-ranking] site. It was published in
the political forum. According to Reuters, 'Reuters - Al Qaeda in North Africa Offers To Help Nigerian
Muslims' number of visitors 2400, number of replies 97." (by "NotReal" (user number 2090); Thread
58146)

"According to Google news, the statement was published on the Internet on 148 journalist sites in English
while it was published on 14 journalist sites in Arabic." (by "NotReal" (user number 2090); Thread
58146)

"In spite of the widespread publication of the statement, it might reach [them] distorted or with falsified
concepts. At the beginning, I want this to be published on Al-Fallujah [ Islamic ] Forums in Hafid Yusuf
Ibn Tashfin workshop. First the brothers in the Islamic Maghreb will stand and watch and say we did
what we had to do. Rather they will give their utmost efforts to tie the lines with Nigeria, especially since
the organization has Nigerian people. At the end of the production 'Join the Caravan,' we heard the
brother Abu-Ammar al-Nayjiri talking and the Nigerians and a Ghanaian carried out the kidnapping of the
Spanish.

"As for us, we accomplished the following:

"1. One of the brothers publishes in the Nigerian forums and watches the replies and forwards new
[postings].

"2. God gave us the mule which is the BBC, which has a Hausa-speaking department and also a site for
that department. There is a gathering of Hausa speakers in Nigeria on Facebook and Twitter. You will
find the links on the site.

"How do we make use of it? One of the brothers volunteers to open dozen of user names on Twitter and
not to forget the proxy, after relying on God and publishes the statement in English, Hausa, and Arabic.
Tomorrow I will bring you the Hausa translation and I will wait for the English translation. Also, a
brother volunteers for Facebook and goes into the specified group and publishes the statement in the three
languages. In each item he deletes the user names and goes in with a second and then a third user name.

"We established on Facebook a group named 'Muslims of Nigeria, Why are They Killed' and one of the
brothers has published on it 'Who is ready for it.'
"But the question remains, will the message reach the poor weak Muslims who do not know [how to use]
the Internet?

"3. So I looked for another way, which is short messages. How? I will give you the translation of some
messages into Hausa and one of the brothers translates it into English. Then we find the sites that will
send the messages for free and a brother sends the message to every ten numbers using the proxy, after
relying upon God. Or buys a cell phone calling card, uses it for sending, and then destroys it and sells the
cell phone.

"I tell you that the message campaign will have a big effect, God willing, because most people have cell
phones and every person will send the message to another in Nigeria. (A while ago a message was spread
that an earthquake is coming from Ghana and in the night the people came out screaming). But how do
we get the numbers?" The poster posts the three main communication companies "MTN," "GLO," and
"ZAIN," along with the area codes for each company. Then he insists that as many instant messages
should be sent out as possible. Therefore he asks everyone to participate. The poster also suggests some
instant messages:

"1. Al-Qa'ida kill take revenge from the Christians and kill them all. The translation into Hausa: 'EN
ALKAIDA ZAMUSAYA AKAN-NASARA MUKASHESU GABAADYA.'

"2. The Mujahidin are coming to help the Muslims in Jos. The translation into Hausa: 'MUJAAHIDAI
MASU SAYA WAA DON TAIMAKON MUSULMAN TOS PLATEAU.'

"3. Al-Qa'ida is coming to Nigeria. The translation into Hausa: 'EN ALKAIDA MASU TAIMAKONE
EA ZUWAAGA NAGERIA.'

"4. All the Muslims in the world are with Jos. The translation into Hausa: 'JAMA,AN MUSULMAI NA
DUNIYA TAIMAKOO AKAN JOS PLATEAU.'

"I hope that all the brothers collaborate and we ask the administration to be supportive." (by "Abu
Khubab al-Nayjiri" (user number 11181); Thread 58146)

-- In a message entitled "Crusader War in Nigeria; O brothers, join the brothers in Niger [as received]," a
forum participant writes that he is posting all his findings from Al-Fallujah Islamic Forums over the past
two weeks; he posts several links to Al-Fallujah, a news item entitled "French and Spanish agents and
Saudi and Libyan monies to fight AQLIM," an image of the "Crusaders in Nigeria," and a reposting of the
AQLIM statement. (by "Asad Khalf al-Qiyud" (user number 4579); Thread 58066) There were no
responses to this message.
-- In a message entitled "Nigeria, Islam Is the Law of God for its Worshipers, Where Are the Muslims?
Do Not Hesitate To Participate," a forum participant writes that the Muslims in Nigeria, about whom
"little is said," are facing "atrocities" and urges other Muslims to take action. (by "abuhamzah" (user
number 10940); Thread 58071) This message generated the following response:

"AQLIM issued a statement condemning the silence against these continuous crimes against the Muslims.
They announced that they are ready to train Nigerian Muslim youth and arm them to carry out jihad
against the Crusader transgression that has become obvious." (by "abuhamzah" (user number 10940);
Thread 58071)

Al-Boraq info:

The Al-Boraq.info website at www.alboraq.info was established in May 2007 as a forum affiliated with
the Jihad and Reform Front, an umbrella organization formed of the Islamic Army in Iraq and other
groups. Al-Boraq.info was seemingly created from a copy of the Al-Buraq Islamic Network, containing
all postings made on the original Al-Buraq forum before 20 November 2006 and possessing an identical
name and appearance, and administrators of the Al-Buraq Islamic Network issued an official statement
accusing the Islamic Army of Iraq of "stealing their private information." While most of the Al-
Boraq.info forum is closed to unregistered users, the "Mujahidin Statements and Publications" and "Jihad
and Reform Front" forums are open to public viewing.

-- In a message entitled " Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb Offered To Aid the Muslims of
Nigeria," a forum participant writes that AQLIM offered training and weapons to Muslims in Nigeria
after the violence that broke out last month in Jos, "where more than 460 people were killed." He asks if
Al-Qaida has the necessary means and capabilities to do so. (by "Ibn Abbas" (user number 20334);
Thread 147461). This message generated the following response:

"AQLIM is on the verge of being wiped out. It is in a bad situation due to the consecutive strikes against
them by the Algerian security forces, as well as the internal problems they suffer from and the
recantations of many of its leaders and members." (by "Al-Misbil" (user number 20486); Thread 147461)

Ana al-Muslim Forum:

The Ana al-Muslim website at www.muslm.net is one of the oldest Salafi websites, featuring a number of
forums that host statements by a wide array of terrorist and insurgent groups, and open discussion
between forum members. The website, which was created in 1996, has a membership of over 61,000 and
participants exhibit a wider variety of viewpoints than on many other militant forums.
-- In a message entitled "God Is Great, Several Tribes in Northern of Mali Pledge Their Allegiance to Al-
Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb," a forum participant posts part of an article that states that
northern Mali is mostly under the control of the Salafists. (by "Al-Mutarabisoun" (user number 110309);
Thread 376420) This message generated no responses.

Al-Jazirah Interviews Mufti of Nigeria on Islamic Movements, Sectarian Violence

GMP20100216676001 Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 1430 GMT 16 Feb 10

["Today's Encounter" program, featuring an interview with Shaykh Ibrahim Salih al-Husayni, mufti of
Nigeria, head of the Islamic Council, and member of the Board of Trustees of the World Federation of
Muslim Scholars, by Fadl Abd-al-Razzaq; place, date not given -- recorded. For assistance with
multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.]

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Our guest today is His Eminence Shaykh Ibrahim Salih al-Husayni, mufti of Nigeria,
head of the Islamic Council in Nigeria, and member of the Board of Trustees of the World Federation of
Muslim Scholars. Shaykh Al-Husayni, welcome.

[Al-Husayni] Thank you.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Events in Nigeria seem to be accelerating. A Muslim Nigerian citizen was accused of
trying to blow up a US plane. Why would a Nigerian Muslim try to do such a thing?

[Al-Husayni] I seek God's protection against the cursed Satan. In the name of God, the Merciful, the
Compassionate. Peace and blessings be upon our master Prophet Muhammad, the last of the Prophets, the
intercessor of the Sinners, and God's messenger to the world. As you said, events have started to
accelerate in Nigeria, contrary to how things were in the past. Events followed events and all moved in
the opposite direction with regard to the situation of Muslims in Nigeria in the past and to the structure of
the Muslim mentality in Nigeria.

Before speaking about the issue of Umar Faruq Abd-al-Muttalib, I would like to say that Faruq Abd-al-
Muttalib is a person who is well known for serving his people in Nigeria. The best word to use in
describing him is that he is a religious man and a successful businessman in the field of economy. He
occupied several state posts, especially in the economic field in banks and so forth. He comes from the
former North-Central State and he is now a citizen of Katina, which is a Nigerian state that split from the
Kaduna State, and it is in central Nigeria as is known.

Nigeria has really started to face fearful issues, especially with regard to those who began to move toward
violence and deviate from the path of peace, moderation, and high ideals in the field of ethics that were
praised by Islam and called for and explained. This deviation was evident in a few incidents. Some men
of religion, known well for their positions and trends, had earlier been assassinated in the city of Kano.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Will the accusations leveled at this Nigerian citizen affect the situation of Muslims in
this country?

[Al-Husayni] We believe that this boy, Umar, who is now in his early twenties as he is only 23 years old,
was attracted mainly by the fundamentalist Islamic ideology, which is really alien to this country. This
ideology has come to this country from abroad, taking advantage of the Muslims' love for Islam in this
country and love for changing the pattern of life to agree with the Islamic religion and the call to the real
and sound religion by our master Prophet Muhammad, God's peace and blessings be upon him.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Does this mean this ideology has links in Nigeria?

[Al-Husayni] This ideology has started only recently. As I told you, we are facing many problems locally,
but the ideology that is linked to violence and departure from clemency in public life is imported to
Nigeria. It is alien to this country. Past events showed that there are some who lure the young people who
have no experience or correct Islamic education. There are many organizations in Europe, especially in
Britain, that attract these young people when they go there and they instill in them such ideas.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] We are here talking about Al-Qa'ida organization specifically. Is there evidence that Al-
Qa'ida exists in Nigeria?

[Al-Husayni] As far as I know, Al-Qa'ida has no real existence here, but some people wish to belong to
Al-Qa'ida. There are some who begin as Muslim fundamentalists who call for Islam as preachers and
instructors, but their lack of awareness and their inability to distinguish between Al-Qa'ida ideology and
the correct Salafi Muslim ideology that is forgiving of other people make them mix things up and confuse
between the two trends. Therefore, they become members of Al-Qa'ida either knowingly or unknowingly
and in one way or another. This is what happened to Umar. He went to London for study. He studied and
met there with some people. As his father told me, they told him that he should always go to the mosque
and pray. This sometimes made him neglect his education. Briefly speaking, Al-Qa'ida ideology exists in
areas close to Nigeria. It is present in the Sahara, Mauritania, Algeria, Mali, and other neighboring
countries. Its presence is unofficial but it is there. The youth are enthusiastic about the call to Islam. Since
their basic religious life was not oriented at the hands of wise Muslim scholars or men of religion in this
country, they would listen to anyone who speaks to them and follow his path. Therefore, they took this
direction. Some go abroad and return with these ideas. Accordingly, all sorts of ideas are brought into this
country.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] One day after the failure of the attempt made by Umar Faruq Abd-al-Muttalib, the
Nigerian security forces in Bauchi killed about 40 people, whose ideas were described as extremist. Was
there a link between the Bauchi killings and what happened in the United States?

[Al-Husayni] No, there was no link between this and that because this group, which sowed sedition in
Bauchi, is a faction or sect known as Kala Kato or the Koranists. They are a group of students of the
Koran who do not believe in all other books, including the Hadith and Sunnah. Their creed says only the
Koran is the law of the society that should be followed. These are true words intended for falsehood.
They are true because the Koran is the basis for every Muslim. "Verily this Koran doth guide to that
which is most right." [Part of Koranic verse; Al-Isra; 17:9] They are false because the Koran needs other
things to enable people to understand it correctly. The first requirement is the Arabic language. Some of
them do not speak even 10 words in Arabic correctly. They do not understand the Koran well.

There was rivalry between the two sides although both belonged to the Koranic sect. When the police and
army came to settle the dispute between the two sides and control the situation, one of the two groups
attacked the police and army. Therefore, they were confronted by force because the army realized that
that was a rebellion. These are not really from Al-Qa'ida or the extremist Salafi movement. They are well
known and they were previously convicted in Nigeria. The government and security quarters know these
people. The ideas of these people can be linked to the ideas of Boko Haram group [which believes that
Western or non-Islamic education is a sin] in terms of their rejection of modern education. They reject all
schools and consider them blasphemous. This is what links the Boko Haram group to the group called
Kala Kato, meaning the infidels said. By this they mean the scholars who write books on the Sunna of the
Prophet. The preface of each book says the Shaykh or imam said this and that. They reject this and
believe only in the Koran, in which God says things. They reject what the Shaykh says and believe only
in what God says.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Did the police deal with them in an appropriate manner? Forty persons were killed in
one place.

[Al-Husayni] The police had past experience with them. All people are convinced that only violence
works with them because dealing with them on the basis of logic will not yield positive results because
they do not base things on logic. Dealing with them kindly, leniently, and mercifully also does not work
with them because they deal with people in a different manner. They deal with them through violence and
killing. The police or soldiers went there to settle the dispute and separate between the two sides, but one
of the two sides believed that anything done by the government was blasphemy and that no good at all
can come from the army, police, or anyone who follows the constitution or government. These are their
beliefs. Therefore, they opened fire on the officers and killed people. Therefore, the army responded to
them. I do not agree with killing people collectively in this manner. I wished it was possible to avoid such
a thing as this would be better, but unfortunately there was no way to control the situation except in this
manner. This is similar to what happened when the Boko Haram group killed people without
discrimination.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] The Boko Haram group consists of a large number of people. They are perhaps more
than 3,000. At the end of incidents, official statements said at least 600 of them were killed. Why were so
many of them killed in Nigeria and even in one state? What makes such a large group have problems with
the government?

[Al-Husayni] Actually, Boko Haram is a wrong name. Boko Haram means Western culture and education
are a taboo. This made the ideology of this group or sect focus on objecting to western education. This is
wrong because such a thing does not address the issue at hand but misleads the public about facts. These
people are known as Salafists. They established the Ibn-Taymiyah Center and they are in this center.
They object to the constitution and all world constitutions. They believe that anyone who works in
accordance with the constitution will be a polytheist who has abandoned the exalted Book of God,
especially since "no falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of
Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise. [Koranic verse; Fussilat; 41:42] We have known them as students whose
teachers are still there. They adopt the Salafi ideology and call for it. The Salafi ideology is called the
Wahhabi ideology in Nigeria. It is a branching ideology that is not interconnected. It has the Wahhabi,
Taymiyah, Tajdid, and other schools of thought that you cannot put together in one creed or opinion. But
since interest in western culture in this country is more important, they called this Boko Haram as if
western education is the biggest sin. They did not note that pronouncing the entire Islamic nation
wherever it is, especially in Nigeria, as infidel was a greater crime than banning western culture and
education.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Does this show that they pronounced the entire nation in Nigeria as infidel? Did they
permit anything that was considered a Muslim taboo in this country?

[Al-Husayni] Yes, they pronounced it so in all their speeches and tapes, including the last tape we said
was fabricated. It expressed their ideas that viewed others as infidels. It said all infidels in Nigeria should
be wiped out and anyone who stands in the way of the one who wants to kill Muslim infidels in
government and elsewhere, including traditional rulers and scholars, will be considered an infidel and
must be killed. This is their creed. When they began their work, they killed people. They killed people for
two or three days without being confronted by the government. The government left the matter to the
local authorities, but these could not control this situation. Therefore, they killed people and sowed
corruption. This is well known. Later, however, the government found that the problem was too difficult
for the local authorities to solve. Therefore, it sent the army. They did not stop even when the army
intervened. People saw how they destroyed many schools and killed people there. They also destroyed
some churches and killed some Christians. They also killed Muslims. The members of this sect pronounce
anyone who does not believe in their ideas as an infidel. We have prepared a complete study -- although
we have not finished it yet -- on the history and development of religious differences and disputes after
Nigeria's independence and up to the day of Boko Haram. We supported this study with documents. The
study will, God willing, be published when completed so that all people can see it. It explains these ideas
in detail.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] There are also problems between Muslims and others in this country. More than 400
people were killed in the city of Jos for religious reasons, according to the report issued on the incident.

[Al-Husayni] The media that is dominating world events is the western media. I think it was the only
media that prevailed before Al-Jazirah. Therefore, this media depicts events the way it wants and then
presents it to the world. The world is forced to accept reports the way they are. Clashes occur between
Muslims and Christians in Nigeria whether in the north or south. For example, there were clashes in
Bauchi [words indistinct] and Jos, from which people continue to suffer. Also there were clashes in
Kafanchan and Kaduna as well as clashes between the Hausa and Yoruba Muslims in Lagos and clashes
between Muslims and Christians in the Igbo land in eastern Nigeria. All these incidents and others that
occur every now and then between Muslims and non-Muslims like the incidents that occurred in Sabon
Gari and Midori in Borno basically have nothing to do with Islam or Christianity or religion in general.
They are due to economic, tribal, or political reasons. Ethnicity, tribalism, economy, and unemployment
are main reasons for these problems. Problems do occur over a lot of land or farms, or over taking
possession of a village with its farms, for example. Religion feeds such things when it is circulated that a
group of Christians fought with a group of Muslims without asking about the reasons for the dispute. This
is attributed to religious extremism or fanaticism. Therefore, it is said that this is sedition between
Muslims and Christians without discrimination. It should not be said that this is caused by religion. The
real reasons are politics and tribal and ethnic sectarian differences.

Therefore, it is wrong to say religion and religious fanaticism are the reason for all problems between
Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. This is proven by the fact that some of the Muslim people of Yoruba,
who took part in these incidents, cooperated with their non-Muslim brothers because the tribe united
them. They helped them fight the Hausa, with whom they shared one religion. Here we cannot say the
Yoruba people abandoned Islam when they helped and supported the Christians. They pray in mosques
the way we pray and they perform all that Muslims perform, but tribalism has its roots. There are tribal
societies like the Odudwa, for example. This is a tribal society that includes all tribes. You can even say
that it has even a stronger influence on ordinary people than Islam. Therefore, we see problems occur
every now and then between Muslims and Christians in the north and south, but the reasons are not all
related to Islam or strict adherence to Islam or Christianity. There are other things that feed this trend.

[Abd-al-Razzaq] Shaykh Ibrahim Salih al-Husayni, mufti of Nigeria and member of the Board of Trustees
of the World Federation of Muslim Scholars, thank you.
[Description of Source: Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic -- Independent Television
station financed by the Qatari Government]

Forum Member Sends Message of Support to Nigerian 'Brothers' in Boko Haram Group

GMP20100226121001 Jihadist Websites -- OSC Summary in Editing 17 Feb 10

On 17 February, a forum participant posted to a jihadist website a message entitled "The Wounds of Our
Brothers in the Boko Haram Are Bleeding - Any Help?" In his message, the participant supports his
Nigerian Muslim "brothers" in the Boko Haram group. The participant "wonders:" "Where are the
movements that call themselves Islamic? Where are those who rant in the name of resistance and jihad?
And where are those who rant in the name of democracy and human rights? He quotes several Koranic
verses to condemn the "depraved Christian and Jews with their effete collaborating Arabs." The
participant says: "What is taking place today on the arenas of planet earth is but a stage of 'labor' for the
birth of the state of great Islam."

A translation of the posting follows:

"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

"Lord of the 19 [REFERENCE to the 19 insurgents who carried out the 9/11 attacks]

"Praise be to God; prayer and peace be upon God's messenger

"Brothers and sisters of da'wah [Islamic call to submit to God], monotheism, and jihad all over the world
"We greet you with the greeting of great Islam;

"Peace, God's mercy, and blessings be upon you

"Almighty God states: 'Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow
their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow
their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor
helper against Allah.' [Koranic verse, Al-Baqarah, 2: 120]

"Everybody has seen or heard about what happened and is happening on the land of African Islamic
Nigeria, in terms of slaying and burning of Muslims by the depraved Christians, especially what is
happening in Jos in the middle of the country, where the worshippers of the Cross and the stooges of
Zionism prevent Muslims from building mosques, in which the name of God is cited. They prevent the
propagation of the da'wah of the true Islamic religion. They undeterrably got carried away with the
killing, burning, displacing, and expelling of our Muslim brothers there under the sight and hearing of the
so-called human rights organizations, 'For us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs'
[Partial Koranic verse, Al-Imran, 3: 173].

"Hence, we wish to ask all rightful Muslims or non-Muslims: What if these massacres were carried out
against the Jews?! The world then would have made a big deal out of it, and you would have seen the
commiserations coming from everywhere for them. You would have also seen memorials being erected
throughout the world to cry over what they call the victims of the 'Holocaust,' but the Muslims' massacres
- no one cries about them!

"Those Christians and Jews and their effete collaborating Arabs have forgotten that these massacres,
which are continuing against Muslims in Nigerian, incite enmity and hatred toward the false democracy
that the ranters brag about. The 'free' world should be prepared to face the Islamic rage that is coming to
them from everywhere. The Muslim giant is now rising and thriving on all areas of planet earth. The day
will come when we will bring down the heads of evil and aggression in Nigeria with their collaborators,
and tomorrow is not far off for those awaiting it.

"Almighty God states: 'The Day that the wrong-doer will bite at his hands, he will say, "Oh! Would that I
had taken a (straight) path with the Messenger.' [Koranic verse, Al-Furqan, 25: 27]

"May God rest the soul of Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf [leader of the Boko Haram group], the Muslim
leader who was killed at the hands of the lords of evil, aggression, and depravity in Nigeria. The killers
should know that the day of punishment is inevitably coming; they will not find a way out under the
coming Islamic empire - God willing. The silent descendants of Ya'rib Bin-Qahtan [the first man to
speak Arabic] should know that the manifest swords of truth will definitely get them; the worst is yet to
come.
"Thus, I wonder: Where are the movements that call themselves Islamic? Where are those who rant in the
name of resistance and jihad? And where are those who rant in the name of democracy and human
rights? They are in still immersed in deep slumber, sleeping and inadvertently heedless of the Muslims'
blood.

"They all should know that those who do not stand up for the Muslims' blood in Nigeria and in other
oppressive countries will regret, unless they repent to God and apologize to the oppressed Muslims.

"From this place, I offer my greetings and admiration to the Boko Haram movement and to all steadfast
Muslims in Nigeria, telling them what Almighty God states in the Holy Koran:

"'Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) apostles of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the
(Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment) promised them, (it will be) as if they had not
tarried more than an hour in a single day. (Thine but) to proclaim the Message: but shall any be destroyed
except those who transgress?' [Koranic verse, Al-Ahqaf, 46: 35]

"God has predestined a time for the destruction of the depraved infidels, which He will never miss, 'Such
were the populations we destroyed when they committed iniquities; but we fixed an appointed time for
their destruction.' [Koranic verse, Al-Kahf, 18: 59]

"Thus, 'patience is most fitting, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought" [Partial Koranic verse,
Yusuf, 12: 18].

"As for you, Muslims in Nigeria, know that God supports you and He will not let you down, therefore
'Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah.'
[Partial Koranic verse, Al Imran, 3: 200].

"'And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out' [Partial Koranic verse, Al-Talaq, 65: 2].

"On this occasion, I send my greetings and high regard to Shaykh Abu-Mus'ab Abd-al-Wadud, amir of
the jihadist Al-Qa'ida in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb [AQLIM], for his noble magnanimity to
strengthen Nigerian Muslims, and his willingness to offer the duty of support and help. Also, the
Mujahidin Youth Movement [MYM] has prepared itself to support the jihadist Al-Qa'ida in happy [term
often associated with the name of the country by Arab media] Yemen. If this means something, it means
that those men are truly following in the footstep of the chosen Prophet - prayer and peace be upon him -
and his honorable companions from the pious ancestors - may God be pleased with them.
"By this consolidation, they remind us of the companions of God's messenger, who supported the da'wah
of great Islam without looking at race, nationality, affiliation, or ethnicity, such as Suhayb Bin-Sanan al-
Rumi, Bilal al-Habashi, and Salman al-Farisi who trod on the affiliations and races and generally agreed
on God's Book and the teachings of His noble messenger.

"Almighty God states: 'Offspring, one of the other: And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.' [Koranic
verse, Al Imran, 3: 34]

"Hence, God honored the noble companions, those who followed them, and those who followed their path
until the Judgment Day - they are the best descendants of the best ancestors.

"Honorable brothers and sisters

"What is taking place today on the arenas of planet earth is but a stage of 'labor' for the birth of the state
of great Islam, following the prophetic approach, so persevere patiently.

"We have an appointment with the Boko Haram and its sisters, the groups of global jihad, to conquer
Jerusalem - God willing.

"Until we arrive there, accept our greatest jihadist greetings and best salutation.

"Peace, God's mercy, and blessings be upon you.

"Our last prayer is 'praise be to God, Lord of all creation.'

"Your supportive brother

"Abu-Khalid al-Sayyaf

"Coasts of the Levant

"Jerusalem

"3 Rabi al-Awwal 1431 [corresponding to 17 February 2010]."

Nigeria: Police Arrest 17 Officers Over Shooting Suspected Islamist Sect Members

AFP20100301683003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1627 GMT 01 Mar 10

Kano, March 1, 2010 (AFP) - Nigeria has arrested 17 policemen for the alleged extra-judicial shooting of
suspected members of a radical Islamist sect in last year's rebellion that claimed over 800 lives, a police
source said Monday.

The arrest followed the February 9 broadcast of a five-minute video footage by Al-Jazeera satellite station
showing policemen killing unarmed young men and teenagers suspected to be members of the Boko
Haram sect, outside the police headquarters in northern Maiduguri city.

"Seventeen policemen who appeared in the footage were apprehended here in Maiduguri on February 23
and transferred to the force headquarters in Abuja for interrogation and further investigation," a police
source told AFP on the phone from Maiduguri.

He said the arrests were carried out on the orders of the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan "to
investigate the case and take appropriate action".

No official comment could be immediately obtained from police on the arrests of their mates.

The footage, which was later posted on several websites, has been downloaded on to mobile phones and
circulated around Africa's most populous country, provoking public fury and criticism.
The clip shows police officers ordering unarmed young men, some on crutches, to lie face down and
shooting them at close range while hordes of residents watched.

Some of the police were recognisable with name tags vividly displayed on their chests. One officer could
be heard shouting "shoot him in the chest not the head, I want his heart".

Nigeria's lower parliament on February 10 set up a special task force to probe the killings and report its
findings to the parliament within two weeks.

Sect leader Mohammed Yusuf, 39, was killed after security forces crushed an uprising in July last year by
the self-styled Taliban fundamentalist group in several northern states of the Nigerian federation.

The violence left more than 800 people dead, the majority of them sect members.

Days after the rebellion was crushed, President Umaru Yar'Adua had also ordered an investigation into
the violence and Yusuf's killing after his capture by security forces in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State,
the epicentre of the violence.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigerian Police Reportedly 'Invited' for Questioning Over Extrajudicial Killings

AFP20100306581002 Lagos Daily Independent Online in English 05 Mar 10

[Report by Abdulkareem Haruna: "Boko Haram: Fear in Borno Over Arrest of 14 Security Agents"]

Weeks after Aljazeera cable news channel aired footage of policemen from the Borno State Command of
the Nigeria Police Force carrying out extrajudicial killings of arrested persons suspected to be members of
the infamous Boko Haram sect, about 14 men and officers of the police were said to have been invited to
Abuja for questioning.

This development sent some degree of jitters among those in government, most especially as it was
alleged that the Boko Haram killings of last year were carried out at the behest of some top elements in
the government of Borno State.

Borno State Government and the state's police command have declined comment on the Aljazeera's recent
footage on Boko Haram, where uniformed men suspected to be police officers, were shown carrying out
extrajudicial killings of unarmed civilians, even as many in Borno State accused Aljazeera of deliberate
mischief with the aim of inciting people in the country.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Isa Azare, who confirmed the invitation of the said police officers to
Abuja for questioning, said the concerned officers have since returned to their base. But he did not
specifically confirm to Saturday Independent* whether they were absolved of the allegations levelled
against them.

Though the gory memories of the Aljazeera video clips is fast fading in the state, even as it was greeted
with mixed feelings, it was gathered that the issue of the 14 arrested policemen in connection with the
Aljazeera footage, had rattled some people in the government circle. Many within the government of
Borno State were particularly scared for their lives, praying that the clips should not in any way ignite
reprisals from the members of the sect, who are currently believed to have gone into hiding, or from those
who felt their relations were killed during the insurgence innocently.

Most people contacted from within the government circle declined any comment on the matter, even as
they insisted that on no account should their names be featured in print. But those that offered to make
unofficial comments off-record, said Aljazeera should be investigated to ascertain the reason behind
airing the controversial footage months after the incident.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Independent Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
independent daily; URL: http://www.independentngonline.com]
Nigeria: Sectarian Leader's Kin Sues Yar'Adua, Police Chief Over Father's Murder

AFP20100306581003 Lagos Vanguard Online in English 06 Mar 10

[Report by Ndahi Marama: "Boko Haram: Gov Sheriff Challenges Murder Charge"]

Family of the late Boko Haram leader, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf, allegedly killed in a gun- shoot out by
the police during the insurgency July last year has dragged President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua; Inspector
General of Police, Mr Ogbonnaya Onovo; Governor Sheriff of Bornu state and the Borno State Attorney
General before the state high court over the brutal murder of their father.

Borno state governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who is also one of the accused had last Tuesday in the court,
challenged the procedure adopted in filing a murder case preferred against them by the plaintiff.

It would be recalled that a Maiduguri High Court last month granted an application sorted by counsels to
Babakura Alhaji Fugu, eldest son of the late Fugu and leader of the family to serve court summons on all
the defendants.

However, President Umaru Yar'Adua and Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo who were also
joined as defendants in the suit for the alleged murder of Alhaji Fugu Mohammed were not represented
by any counsel.

Barrister Bukar Umar, counsel representing Sheriff, while arguing at the resumed hearing of the suit
presided over by Justice Mohammed Mustapha, said the procedure for filing the case was improper.

He prayed the court to disregard the case as according to him, "the process of filing it was full of flaws as
the plaintiff has erred for filing the suit in consideration of provisions of Order 2 and Rule 2 of the
Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, which was just adopted in December last year."
Barrister Umar insisted that the plaintiff should have filed the case by relying on the Fundamental Rights
Enforcement Procedure Rules of the 1979 constitution.

In his submission, Barrister Yusuf Bado Mok, counsel to the attorney general of the federation, asked for
an adjournment as he is residing in Abuja out of the jurisdiction of the case.

This he said was to give him more time and enable him to prepare all relevant documents and facts to
counter the case.

Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Anayo Adibe, did not however object to the request.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Mustapha, granted the prayers and adjourned the case to
Tuesday, March 2nd 2010 for continuation of hearing.

He however expressed dismay over the inability of the counsels to make effective preparation for the case
despite the fact that notice of summons had been conveyed to their clients almost a month ago.

The judge who was visibly furious on the issue warned that henceforth he will not condone indiscriminate
adjournment.

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.vanguardngr.com]

Commentary Attributes Jos Violence to Northern Nigeria's 'Jihadist Islam'

AFP20100308565007 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 08 Mar 10

[Commentary by Leo Igwe: "Still on Jos Crisis"]

Plateau, a state once known for peace, tolerance and harmony - by both 'indigenes' and 'settlers' has been
plagued by an orgy of hatred, hostility and bloodshed in recent times. The latest outbreak of violence left
hundreds of people dead and thousands injured or displaced.

Many people have presented the crisis as an 'isolated', state-backed cleansing of Muslim minority by
Christian majority. They have tried to play down on the criminality, violence and carnage of Maitatsine,
Boko Haram and other jihadist groups in other states of Northern Nigeria.

Some have attributed the problem to the hostile and volatile relationship between indigenes and the
mainly Hausa-Fulani Muslim settlers in the state. No doubt, this is a major factor in the crisis in Plateau.
But, there is more to it than anyone would make us understand. It is not only in Plateau State that we
often experience some tension been indigenes and settlers. Such tensions occur in many states across the
nation. So, why has the situation in Plateau turned to be a recurrent nightmare in the last few years?

Many analysts have made it look as if Plateau State is enthnically homogenous. That the indigenes are of
an ethnic group, while the settlers belong to one ethnic group. This is not the case. Plateau State is a
multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. In fact, Plateau is one of the most ethnically diverse states in the
country. The same is applicable to the settlers in Plateau. They come from different ethnic backgrounds-
Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, etc. The Hausa-Fulanis are not the only settlers in Plateau. What many analysts
have not tried to find out is the reason the recent conflicts in Plateau have mainly been between the
'indigenes' and Hausa-Fulani settlers, not with the Yoruba, Igbo or Tiv settlers in the state.

Some people have made it seem as if all the 'indegenes' of Plateau State profess one religion-Christianity,
while the settlers belong to another religion-Islam. This is not the case. Plateau State is religiously
diverse. There are Christians, Muslims, Animists and adherents of other faiths and beliefs. Though,
Christians are at the majority, that does not rule out the fact that there are indigenes of Plateau who
profess other faiths, including Islam. And Muslim indigenes have been living in peace with the Christian
and Animist counterparts for decades. The settlers also come from different religious backgrounds- Islam,
Christianity, traditional religion, etc. So, the question is this: Why is it that the conflicts have been
between the Plateau indigenes-of different ethno-religious backgrounds and the Hausa-Fulani Muslim
settlers?

The conflict in January was the latest in the series of clashes between the indigenes and Hausa-Fulani
Muslim settlers. To draw one's conclusion from this incident alone, without making reference to other
past cases of ethno-religious bloodbath in Plateau and other states of Northern Nigeria would not be
balanced. I agree with those who said that the Muslim settlers' community sustained heavy casualities in
the latest outbreak of violence. But, anyone who has been following the conflicts in Jos and Plateau State
as a whole would know that the local community, including settlers from other ethnic and religious
backgrounds has recorded heavy casualities in the past. In fact, it was reported that Muslim militants,
wearing army uniforms started the killings in January.

Many analysts have failed to point out the role of fanatics and militants from the Muslim settlers'
community in the recurrent ethno-religious carnage in Plateau State, since 2001. Personally, I see a kind
of connection between the crisis in Plateau and the wave of Islamic fanaticism, political and jihadist Islam
sweeping across Northern Nigeria.

Since 1999, the imposition and implementation of sharia law by Muslim majority states have escalated
tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in Northern Nigeria. Muslim politicians elected by the
people used their positions to foist Islamic theocracy on the entire populatio n, including indigenes and
settlers from different ethno-religious backgrounds. Non-muslims were forced to live under sharia law by
state governments, that donned the 'islamic partisan cassock'.

In some states in Northern Nigeria, like Kaduna and Bauchi, the imposition of sharia law sparked
religious riots, clashes and cleansing. Non-muslims, particularly those in other Northern but non-sharia
implementing states have been living in fear, suspicion and mistrust, particularly of Muslim politicians.
They are afraid of voting them into power or of supporting them politically, because they could use their
positions to impose sharia law and promote Islam.

So, what appears to some people as the Christian partisanship of the Plateau State government is a
reaction to the Islamic partisanship that holds sway in most states in Northern Nigeria. What we have in
Plateau is a situation where militant Islam has led to the emergence of militant christianity. Political Islam
had bred political Christianity. The Islamic partisanship in Muslim majority states has caused the
emergence of Christian partisanship in Plateau and in other Christian majority states in the country.

The crisis in Plateau is intricately linked to, and caused by the political and jihadist Islam that prevails in
Northern Nigeria. The Plateau butchery cannot be resolved without rooting out militant and political
Islam. Muslim politicians must stop using elective positions to further Islamic agenda and implement
Islamic law. Muslim politicians must learn to uphold democracy and universal human rights, and stop
foisting Islamic theocracy on the people.

Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution says that, "No part of the Federation or state should adopt any
religion as state religion." Politicians in Plateau and other states in Northern Nigeria should learn to steer
religion away from politics. They should learn to keep mosque, church and state separate. Some people
have called for the perpetrators of the latest Plateau butchery to be brought to book. But, I think this
should apply, not only to those who orchestrated the killings in January, but also all those responsible for
the religious attacks and carnage in Plateau since 2001, including those groups and individuals from the
neighbouring states who have been supplying militants on both sides with army uniforms arms and
mercenaries.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Former Minister Says Nigeria To Take Action Against Proliferation of Small Arms

AFP20100318578031 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 17 Mar 10

[Report by Aisha Umar Agaie: "Nigeria Worried by Proliferation of Small Arms in W/Africa"]

Former Defence Minister Godwin Abbe said Nigeria will rally the West Africa sub-region to take action
against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapon (SALW) in the region.

This, according to Abbe, was as a result of outbreak of violent conflicts in Nigeria like the Boko Haram,
Jos sectarian crisis and the unending Niger Delta restiveness.

He spoke Tuesday at the meeting of Ministers of Defence and Security from the region to adopt the
Action Plan for the implementation of the ECOWAS convention on SALWs.

The former minister said proliferation of SALWs in the West African sub-region undermines good
governance and the economic and political integration of the sub-region.

"That is why Nigeria in her position in ECOWAS is encouraging others to ratify the Conventions to give
meanings to the intentions of the ECOWAS Heads of State" he stated.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]

Nigeria: Commentary Urges Jonathan To Probe Into NGO's Role in Jos Crisis

AFP20100324564009 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 24 Mar 10

[Commentary by Akeem Adebayo: "Human Rights Watch and Jos Crises"]

The latest massacre of innocent and defenceless infants, children, women and men by Fulani terrorists in
Jos should not surprise Nigerians, because the writing was on the wall immediately after the last massacre
in January. Unfortunately, the nation didn't take notice of the obvious signs. The latest killings could have
been prevented, had Nigerians paid a closer attention to the sudden interest of Human Rights Watch in the
murderous conflict in Jos, since 2008. Far from being an impartial observer, the American organisation
has taken sides.

Human Rights Watch or specifically, its so-called "senior West Africa researcher", Corinne Dufka, has
taken sides with the Hausa/Fulani forces in the Jos murderous impasse. The white American woman, who
is based in Dakar, Senegal, laid the foundation for the Sunday, 7 March mass killings. During the crisis of
28-29 November, 2008, Human Rights Watch issued a press release accusing the police of using
excessive force on mainly Muslim youths. The release came after reports of the Yoruba National Youth
Corps members, who were bludgeoned to death with machetes by Hausa/Fulani gangs and other gory
stories of violence perpetrated against Southerners had enraged the whole South. Out of the blue came the
release - a way to create the impression that both "Muslims" and "Christians" were victims alike.

In January this year, as the outcry against Hausa/Fulani violence in Jos was assuming almost universal
dimension in the country, Human Rights Watch again released another report on Kuru Karama, where it
alleged that 150 "Muslim" (Hausa/Fulani) villagers were killed and their corpses stuffed into wells.
Again, the organisation portrayed Hausa/Fulani as victims of mass murder, whereas elements of their
community were actually the chief perpetrators.

Until today, there is no credible independent confirmation of the two incidents that the so-called human
rights organisation cited to very powerful international media. How come it is the group that got wind of
the information of the corpses in wells in Kuru Karama, when the author of the report, Corinne Dufka, is
based in Dakar and not Nigerian journalists, who were present in Jos in large numbers at a time no one
could even venture out into the streets because of the rumours that Hausa/Fulani soldiers were killing
civilians indiscriminately?

And our uncritical press just relayed the story without much of a thought about its authenticity. Before
you knew it, opinion articles started appearing in our newspapers on Kuru Karama, not to mention the
wide international media coverage given to the phony story.The obviously partisan intervention of
Human Rights Watch or, better said, Corinne Dufka, laid the grounds for the new round of genocidal
violence in Jos. I will explain.

The Kuru Karama report was the one that was being relentlessly quoted in the Northern Nigerian media,
with mosques to show how "Muslims" suffered in Jos - to create an impression that it was "Governor
Jang and his Berom people" who killed "Muslim Northerners". "This is genocide in my own opinion,
because the amount of massacre that took place was not witnessed during the Boko Haram crisis, in
Maiduguri in particular, and the Kala Kato crisis in Bauchi, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad
Abubakar, said at meeting of Northern traditional rulers, which took place in Kaduna on 26 January,
2010. In newspapers, especially the chief propaganda press organ of the Hausa/Fulani, whenever the Jos
conflict was discussed since January, reference was always made to the Human Rights Watch report.

This is despite the overwhelming evidence that the Hausa/Fulani, with the support of high-ranking
officers in the security forces, planned and carried out the killings of other Nigerians during the January
crisis. That much has been testified to by Yoruba, Igbo, Benue State and South- South indigenes, who
fled the city. In fact, more than 200 Yorubas were said to have lost their lives, according to the President-
General of the Yoruba Community Council in Plat eau State, Chief Toye Ogushuyi, who holds the
Hausa/Fulani elements responsible for the deaths.

In February, Corinne Dufka again wrote to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, calling on him to
investigate her phony Kuru Karama tale, the alleged excessive use of the police in 2008 and the extra-
judicial killing of Boko Haram members last year. Curiously, Ms Dufka did not mention the widespread
allegations that Hausa/Fulani soldiers killed other Nigerians during the January crisis in her letter. The
Kuru Karama story was used by the Jihadists in Jos to mobilise the Fulani killers who carried out the
bestial killings of Sunday.

Again, in the release distributed by Human Rights Watch, Ms Dufka alleged that 200 people were killed
last Sunday. Yet, from the reports of the Nigerian media, more than 500 people died in the massacre. The
burial of the victims were carried out in the presence of the media. Why has the organisation reduced the
number of victims if not for propaganda purposes?

The Human Rights Watch obviously does not know what is happening in Jos. It is being fed with
prejudiced information by unknown persons, which the organisation dishes to the world as facts about the
crisis. For example, Corinne Dufka sent an email to this writer on Monday, 8 March 2009, asking for
contacts at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for the purpose of sourcing information for her report.

Ms Dufka only knows me from the articles I have written on the crisis on Sahara Reporters and she was
asking me for sources on the crisis that she was supposed to be a specialist on! President Jonathan should
order a probe into the role of Human Rights Watch in the Jos crisis as a matter of national emergency.
This is because the crisis is being increasingly internationalised as evidenced by the recent statement of
the global terror group, Al Qaeda Maghreb, supporting "Muslims" in Jos.

Also, Nigerians should write protest letters to Human Rights Watch to tell the organisation to stop being
helpers to Hausa/Fulani genocidaires in Nigeria.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Threatens To Attack US Interests

FEA20100329003228 - OSC Feature - AFP (World Service) 1234 GMT 29 Mar 10

KANO, Nigeria, March 29, 2010 (AFP) - Nigeria's self-styled Taliban militant Islamist sect, whose
short-lived uprising was brutally put down by the security forces last year, has threatened to widen its
activities beyond the borders.
 "Islam doesn't recognise international boundaries, we will carry out our operations anywhere in the
world if we can have the chance," said Musa Tanko, spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, in a rare
interview given to AFP on Sunday.

"The United States is the number one target for its oppression and aggression against Muslim nations
particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan and its blind support to Israel in its killings of our Palestinian
brethren," Tanko said, adjusting his starched bottle green kaftan.

Thousands of Boko Haram Islamic sect militia launched an armed insurrection in July 2009 from their
enclave in the northern city of Maiduguri and several other cities in the region in a doomed bid to
establish an Islamic state.

"We will launch fiercer attacks than Iraqi or Afghan Mujahedeen (Islamic fighters) against our enemies
throughout the world, particularly the US, if the chance avails itself within the confines of what Islam
prescribes but for now our attention is focused on Nigeria which is our starting point," Tanko said, as he
placed a black file folder on his lap.

Slim, dark, chin-bearded and soft-spoken, Tanko, 30, betrayed no emotion as he spoke under a
defoliated tree, intermittently wiping sweat off his glistening forehead with a white handkerchief, while
his four colleagues nodded in approval between pauses.

The group draws its inspiration from the Afghan Taliban and sees Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Umar
and the leader of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, as its champions, Tanko said.

"We see Mullah Umar and Osama bin Laden as the true champions of Islam who are fighting Allah's
enemies and our allegiance and support go to them although we don't have any contact with them yet,"
Tanko said.

Tanko said the group was not daunted by the police's extra-judicial killings of its members by security
forces during the July rebellion.

Nigerian police and troops crushed the uprising after a four-day street battle that claimed more than
800 lives, mostly of sect members.

The killings, he said, "have made us more determined and committed in our struggle. We are
undeterred," Tanko said in the local Hausa dialect.
 Qatar-based Al Jazeera television station aired five minutes of footage in February showing policemen
shooting unarmed Boko Haram sect members outside a police headquarters in Maiduguri.

"The gruesome killings of our brothers ...has not in any way dampened our spirit, in fact it has made us
more steadfast and determined in our holy struggle to oust the secular regime and entrench a just Islamic
government," Tanko said in northern Nigeria's commercial capital Kano.

The interview is the first the group granted since the rebellion was put down, forcing them to go
underground.

The video footage drew local and international outcry, forcing Nigeria's Acting President Goodluck
Jonathan to order an investigation which led to the arrest of 17 police officers.

Sect leader Muhammad Yusuf was allegedly gunned down by police hours after his capture.

The group, originally called Nigerian Taliban, made its debut in January 2003 when it set up a base in
Kanamma village, northeastern Yobe state near the border with Niger. It attacked police stations, killing
policemen and carting away ammunition. Scores of militants were killed, some arrested while many went
underground.

In September of the same year they regrouped and launched attacks on police stations near the border
with Cameroon. Around two dozen were killed in clashes with Nigerian troops, several arrested and the
rest disappeared in mountains.

The group, whose name means "Western education is sin" in the local dialect, initially drew its
membership mostly from young graduates and university dropouts who reject anything Western.

"We have shown capacity to regroup and re-launch attacks in the face of crackdown and anybody who
thinks the last has been heard of us is mistaken.

"We believe what we are doing is divine worship and ideology cannot be defeated through repression,"
Tanko said.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Police on Alert Over Religious Text Message Threat in North

AFP20100330606006 Lagos Daily Champion in English 30 Mar 10 p 1

[Report by Reporter: "Tension in north"]

Tension and suspense brewed yesterday in some parts of the north, particularly Maiduguri, Borno State,
as the Nigerian police and immigration services were kept on red alert, as they received text messages
threatening new religious violence by a radical Islamic sect. Agency reports said the text messages which
warned of an impending sectarian violence, resulted in the setting up of checkpoints by armoured tanks
around Maiduguri, where rioting by the Islamic sect Boko Haram and an ensuing police crackdown left
700 people dead late July.

Immigration agents in the state that borders Chad, Niger and Cameroon also are watching for Boko
Haram members who may cross the border to spark new violence in the area, said Adamu Isa Azare, an
assistant superintendent of police in Borno. Azare said the increased security presence comes after police
received text messages that promised the group would rise again and attack around Maiduguri.

He said: "We are not (sure) if it is Boko Haram per se, because some people we are yet to identify were
just sending text messages to people that there was going to be attacks. For this reason, we stepped up our
security apparatus as proactive measures to ensure we were not caught unaware. We want to ensure the
people are well-policed. We don’t want to take anything for granted."

Azare also asked the public to call authorities if they saw large groups of unfamiliar people moving into
the region.
Boko Haram — which means "Western education is sacrilege" in the local Hausa language — has
campaigned for the implementation of strict Shar’ia law. Its members rioted and attacked police stations
and private homes in late July, sparking the police crackdown. Authorities have been accused of killing
Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf while he was in custody. Police officials said he was killed while
trying to escape, but army officials said he was alive when he was arrested.

The group largely went underground after Yusuf’’s death. In early March, police arrested 17 officers
suspected of taking part in filmed executions that later aired on international news channel Al-Jazeera.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Champion in English -- Privately owned pro-Igbo daily]

Nigeria Intensifies Patrolling on Borders To Check Infiltration of Sect Members

AFP20100404581006 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 04 Apr 10

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Boko Haram: Police, Immigration Beef Up Security"]

The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Immigrations Service (NIS) personnel in the border areas with
Niger, Chad, and Cameroun have intensified patrols and surveillance to check the rumoured infiltration of
the Boko Haram sect members into Borno and neighbouring states of Yobe and Adamawa.

At the weekend, a heavy presence of anti-riot policemen and combined team of security personnel
attached to the state security task force, Operation Flush II, at the Maiduguri Police headquarters was seen
on Airport road.
The security operatives took strategic locations in Maiduguri metropolis, with police armoured tanks
stationed on some strategic streets and at public places for 24-hour patrol and surveillance.

The Guardian yesterday gathered that some members of the dreaded Islamic sect had returned to Borno
State at the weekend, with alleged intention of hiding under the cloak of the recent ethnic and religious
crises in Jos to "unleash violence" on Maiduguri residents through a supposed Jihad (holy war).

Sources from the Borno State police command further claimed that the sect members had whipped up
religious sentiments on the need to avenge the alleged killing of Muslims in the central state of the north
as means of winning people's support for their heinous crimes against humanity.

According to the police source, "some of the fundamentalists had infiltrated the commercial motorcyclists
in the state, pretending to be Okada operators while targeting their unsuspected passengers, who may not
share their extreme religious ideology.

As such, many have restrained from patronising the commercial cyclists at dusk, while residents often
scurry home early from their various engagements."

This, according to the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adamu Isa Azare, an
Assistant Superintend of Police (ASP), prompted all security agents in the state, to mount security
measures against the alleged infiltrations of some Boko Haram sect members into the state.

He said the police was only trying to be very proactive to forestall any possible outbreak of law and order,
particularly in view of the ethno-religious crises in Plateau State.

Azare disclosed that the threat text messages sent to some people in the state, announcing the readiness of
the sect members to launch an attack had prompted the police to strengthen and reinforce its surveillance
in the state.

Azare said: "We are not (sure) if it is Boko Haram per se, because some people we are yet to identify
were just sending text messages to people that there were going to be attacks. For this reason, we stepped
up our security apparatus as proactive measures to ensure we were not caught unawares. We want to
ensure the people are well policed. We don't want to take anything for granted."
While describing the sources of the text messages as mischief makers, who he claimed to be out to create
confusion among the people, the police spokesman said that the police were ready to nip in the bud any
attempt to disturb the existing peace in the state.

He added: "That is why we place our men and officers on alert. We also embark on 'show of force' to
scare, intimidate and weaken the strength of would-be-trouble-makers.""

He, therefore, urged the general public to fully cooperate with the police and other security agents by
providing useful information on strange movement of people in the metropolis and other communities in
the state.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Police Fined for Killing Sect Leader's Father-in-law

AFP20100414650003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1244 GMT 14 Apr 10

KANO, Nigeria, April 14, 2010 (AFP) - A Nigerian court has ordered police to pay 100 million naira
(666,400 dollars) in damages to the family of the father-in-law of a slain Islamic militant leader who was
himself also killed, officials said Wednesday.

Baba Fugu Mohammed -- father-in-law of Mohammed Yusuf, the slain leader of the Boko Haram sect --
was allegedly killed after surrendering himself to the police in Maiduguri in the aftermath of the sect's
rebellion last July in which more than 800 people were killed.

The Boko Haram leader was killed by the police shortly after his capture.
Court officials said a state high court in Maiduguri, capital of northeastern Borno State, on Tuesday
ordered the police authorities to compensate Baba Fugu's family for the killing.

"Apart from the 100 million naira damages, the court also ordered the police to exhume the body of Baba
Fugu Mohammed from wherever it was buried and hand it over to the family for a proper burial in
accordance with Islamic rites," court official Bukar Zanna told AFP.

The court also ordered the police to offer a public apology to Baba Fugu's family, he said.

The judgement followed a suit filed by Baba Fugu's eldest son, Babakura Fugu, in February against the
police and President Umaru Musa Yar'adua for the killing of his father, who was 72 when he was killed.

A father of 27, Baba Fugu was Yusuf's father-in-law for 10 years.

"We are happy with this judgement which I believe will go a long way in assuaging the pains the family
has been going through since the death of our father in the hands of the police," Babakura Fugu, a school
teacher, told AFP.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Police To Pay Damages Over Killing of Islamic Militant Leader

AFP20100414646003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1455 GMT 14 Apr 10

Nigerian police to pay damages over killing

KANO, Nigeria, April 14, 2010 (AFP) - A Nigerian court has ordered police to pay 100 million naira
(666,400 dollars) in damages to relatives of a slain Islamic militant leader, officials said Wednesday.

Baba Fugu Mohammed -- father-in-law of Mohammed Yusuf, the slain leader of the Boko Haram sect --
was killed after allegedly surrendering to police in Maiduguri in the aftermath of the sect's rebellion last
July in which more than 800 people were killed.

The Boko Haram leader was killed by police shortly after his capture.

Court officials said a state high court in Maiduguri, capital of northeastern Borno State, on Tuesday
ordered the police authorities to compensate Baba Fugu's family for the killing.

"Apart from the 100 million naira damages, the court also ordered the police to exhume the body of Baba
Fugu Mohammed from wherever it was buried and hand it over to the family for a proper burial in
accordance with Islamic rites," court official Bukar Zanna told AFP.

The court also ordered the police to offer a public apology to the family, he said.

The judgement followed a suit filed by Baba Fugu's eldest son, Babakura Fugu, in February against the
police and President Umaru Musa Yar'adua for the killing of his father, who was 72.

"We are happy with this judgement which I believe will go a long way in assuaging the pain the family
has been going through since the death of our father in the hands of the police," Babakura Fugu, a school
teacher, told AFP.

Police believed Baba Fugu provided Yusuf with land on which he built the mosque which became the
militant sect's base for its short-lived armed rebellion.

"Our father gave out one of his daughters in marriage to Mohammed Yusuf and the land long before
Boko Haram came into existence," Fugu added.

abu/joa/ade/db/lt
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Borno State Signs Order Declaring Islamic Group Dangerous to Government

AFP20100508565007 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 07 May 10

[Report by Isa Umar Gusau: "Sheriff Signs Order Declaring Boko Haram Threat to Govt"]

Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno state has signed an order which declares the Boko haram Islamic
sect a society that is dangerous to government, making it unlawful for anyone to belong to the sect or
practice its ideologies in the state.

Shehu Mustapha Liberty, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Media, said in a statement
issued to journalists in Maiduguri yesterday, that the order was recommended by a committee set up to
investigate the July, 2009 crises in the state between an Islamic sect opposed to western education called
Boko Haram and security agents, resulting in the death of hundreds of people and destruction of
properties. Liberty said Sheriff made the order on Wednesday, May 5, 2010.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]
Nigeria: Borno State Governor Ali Mudu Sherif Outlawed Boko Haram Islamic Sect

AFP20100511614006 Lagos Lagos Ray Power in English 0900 GMT 10 May 10

Governor Ali Mudu Sheriff of Borno State has signed an order which declared the Boko Haram Islamic
sect a threat to government in the state.

In a statement signed by the special adviser on information and media, Sheu Mustapha, Governor Ali
Mudu Sherif ordered the Boko Haram also known as Yusufia Society dangerous to the government of
Borno State.

Correspondent Ifianyi Mark reports that with the order, it is now unlawful for any one to belong to the
sect.

The order could be coming on the heels of the recommendations of a committee set up to investigate the
July 2009 crisis in the state between the Islamic sect opposed to western education and security agencies
which resulted in the destruction of properties and the death of hundreds of people in Borno State.

[Description of Source: Lagos Ray Power 2 Radio in English -- Privately owned independent radio]

French agency ponders threat of Al-Qa'idah overtures to Nigerian Islamists

EUP20100614950014 Paris AFP (Domestic Service) in French 0904 GMT 14 Jun 10

French agency ponders threat of Al-Qa'idah overtures to Nigerian Islamists

Excerpt from report by Michel Moutot by the French news agency AFP

Nouakchott, 14 June 2010: Initial contacts between jihadis in the Sahel and Islamists in Nigeria have been
established, say experts in the region who feat an alliance between these extremists could post a threat to
the most populated country in Africa.

With some 150m inhabitants, equally divided between Christians and Muslims, Nigeria is the theatre of
recurrent episodes of violence with ethnic and religious overtones that have left hundreds dead since the
start of the year.

The emir of Al-Qa'idah in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb, Algerian Abou Moussab Abdel Wadoud
[Abu Mus'ab Abd al-Wadud], has set about establishing relations with Boko Haram, a violent Islamic
sect, known as the "Taleban", which regularly challenges the authorities in Abuja.

With his dream of expanding his zone of action to the south, the emir, also known as Abdelmalek
Droukdal, appealed via the Internet at the beginning of February to the "Muslims of Nigeria".

"We are ready to train your sons to use weapons and to provide them with all the aid it is possible to give
to enable them to defend our people in Nigeria," he told them, "and to repel the hostility of the crusader
minority."

His offer of help should, moreover, be taken seriously, according to sources questioned by AFP in
Mauritania, Algeria and Europe.

In Nouakchott, a magistrate who is an expert on the issue and wishes to remain anonymous, says: "The
decision to contact Nigeria's Taleban has been taken and for the AQLIM men in the Sahel, who move
easily around the region, particularly in Niger which borders northern Nigeria, it's not difficult."

A Western diplomat serving in the capital of Mauritania adds: "There have been tentative contacts
between AQLIM and the Taleban. People meet and talk to one another."
"It's interesting for the Taleban: the Al-Qa'idah franchise is prestigious, it's a big organization that can
boast of its successes," he adds.

[Passage omitted: Origins of the Boko Haram sect]

French researcher Jean-Pierre Filiu, author of a report for the US Carnegie think tank, entitled "Could Al-
Qa'idah Turn African in the Sahel?" believes that "even if violence in Nigeria has local rather than
imported causes, Droukdal's offer of assistance gave the impression that Nigeria has become the main
concern for AQLIM".

For the moment, he adds, only a handful of individuals, "grass-roots members have joined AQLIM from
Nigeria (...) and these adherences have come more through criminal deviancy or mafia networks than out
of shared ideology".

If this collusion becomes more concrete, however, it poses a serious threat, believes Algerian journalist
Mohamed Mokkadem, a specialist in jihadism and the author of the book, "Les Afghans algeriens"
[Algerian Afghans].

"This alliance, if it does emerge in the weeks or months ahead, will upset the entire region (...) The
Nigerians have men and money. If they really do form an alliance, they will be an enormous danger."

At the end of March, Boko Haram threatened in an interview to AFP to take its actions out of Nigeria,
including to the United States.

"Islam does not recognize international borders, we are going to carry out actions (...) everywhere in the
world if we have the chance," its spokesman, Musa Tanko, said at the time in Kano (in the north).

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (Domestic Service) in French -- domestic service of independent
French press agency]
Al-Jazirah: Experts Warn of Alliance Between Al-Qa'ida, Nigeria's Boko Haram

GMP20100615676001 Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 0813 GMT 15 Jun 10

[Announcer-read report over video. For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-
8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.]

Experts in Islamic groups' affairs have warned of a possible alliance between the Al-Qa'ida Organization
in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb [AQLIM] and Taliban-Nigeria, saying that Abu-Mus'ab Abd-al-
Wadud, AQLIM Algerian leader, had already contacted Nigeria's Boko Haram last February. For its part,
Boko Haram threatened to expand its operations abroad as to attack foreign interests, including US
targets.

[Begin recording of a video report by Abd-al-Haqq al-Sahasih] Al-Qa'ida has set eyes on the Sub-Saharan
Africa as a strategic asset that will allow it greater mobility and will provide it with another long-awaited
battle field.

AQLIM leader made initial contacts with Boko Haram, also known as the Taliban-Nigeria Movement,
and pledged to provide them with ammunition and military gear to defend Muslims in Nigeria and face
the march of the Crusader minority, as he put it, in a country which has been witnessing violent ethnic
and religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians.

Experts in Islamic groups' affairs warned that Al-Qa'ida plans must be taken seriously. Judicial sources in
Mauritania said that Al-Qa'ida decision to contact Nigeria's Taliban has already been made, and added
that it will not be hard for the Al-Qa'ida armed fighters to find their way into northern Nigeria via border
with Niger.

Boko Haram first appeared in 2002 in northern Nigeria two years after Usama Bin Ladin urged the
Nigerians to revolt. The organization says it is affiliated with the Taliban Afghanistan Movement. When
translated from Hausa, a local dialect, the name Boko Haram means 'Western education is forbidden.' In
2009, the Nigerian Army crushed the group after five days of bitter fighting that killed 800 people.
Although the number of Al-Qa'ida elements joining Boko Haram is still relatively limited, the alliance of
the two groups might turn things upside down in the region. [end recording] [Archival footage of AQLIM
and the aftermath of the 2009 Nigeria clashes]

[Description of Source: Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic -- Independent Television
station financed by the Qatari Government]

Alliance between Al-Qa'idah and Nigeria's Taliban causing alarm - Al-Jazeera

GMP20100615950017 Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 2100 GMT 14 Jun 10

Alliance between Al-Qa'idah and Nigeria's Taliban causing alarm - Al-Jazeera

A nascent alliance between Al-Qa'idah in the Land of Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM) and Nigeria's militant
Islamist Boko Haram Movement, also known as Taliban, is causing alarm, Al-Jazeera TV reports on 14
June.

The Algerian leader of AQLIM, Abou-Musa Abdel Wadoud, has been making contact with the Nigerian
movement since February, Al-Jazeera TV quotes unnamed Islamist affairs experts as saying.

The channel quotes Abdel Wadoud as saying he will supply the movement with arms to "defend Muslims
in Nigeria and stop the advance of a minority of Crusaders."
Al-Qa'idah is eying sub-Saharan Africa as "its strategic depth that would give it a bigger scope for
manoeuvre and a new battlefront," according to the channel.

Boko Haram (literally meaning "Western education is a sin") has threatened to shift its operations to
outside of Nigeria and to target foreign interests, including the US, Al-Jazeera TV notes.

Legal sources in Mauritania are quoted by Al-Jazeera TV as saying AQLIM has already taken the
decision to have ties with the Nigerian movement and Al-Qa'idah members can easily get to Nigeria via
Niger.

"The number of Boko Haram members who have joined AQLIM may be still relatively small but the
emerging alliance between both groups is bound to cause an upheaval in the area," says Al-Jazeera TV.

In a live interview with Al-Jazeera TV, a Mauritanian anti-terror expert, Mohamed Lamine Sidi
Maouloud, says: "Countries in the region and their intelligence services and their western allies in the so-
called war on terrorism are concerned about recent news reports about the emerging alliance. Media
sources and websites quoted Boko Haram deputy leader, Omar, as saying an alliance with Al-Qa'idah is
imminent."

"If this was true, this would lead to widening the sphere of influence of Al-Qa'idah, which puts spreading
its influence to African countries as one of its priorities," says Sidi Maouloud.

"In its most recent operation, Al-Qa'idah abducted a French engineer in Niger, which has vast borders
with Nigeria hitting about 1,500 kilometres long. This makes Al-Qa'idah members more effective in their
field operations in Niger and makes their movement into Nigeria easier," he says.

Current conditions in Nigeria help Al-Qa'idah considering the "popular resentment" that was provoked by
the "genocide" committed against civilians and some members of Boko Haram, Sidi Maouloud opines.

In July 2009, more than 300 people - mostly Boko Haram members - were reportedly killed as a wave of
unrest spread from the city of Bauchi through Nigeria's northern states.

"As much as Boko Haram benefits from receiving arms from Al-Qa'idah, the latter is also benefitting
from extending its reach in Nigeria as well as from having access to vast stretches of land and other
channels that help it break a blockade imposed by security forces in Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and
Mali," he says.
"Boko Haram has never sought to be involved in a global confrontation with the west as is the case of Al-
Qa'idah. In terms of beliefs, there are radical differences between both groups," Sidi Maouloud says.

Considering acts committed against Boko Haram and the limited condemnation by the international
community, the movement turned to AQLIM for support, he says.

"They [Boko Harama] also stand to benefit from Al-Qa'idah, which has a high level of training and
significant weapons. They are present in five provinces in the north [of Nigeria] on the border with Niger
where Al-Qa'idah has strong activities. Therefore, from their perspective the alliance is mutually
beneficial," Sidi Maouloud says.

[Description of Source: Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic -- Independent Television
station financed by the Qatari Government]

Experts reveal contacts between Al-Qa'idah Maghreb, Nigeria's Boko Haram group

GMP20100615950024 Algiers El-Fadjr Online in Arabic 0001 GMT 15 Jun 10

Experts reveal contacts between Al-Qa'idah Maghreb, Nigeria's Boko Haram group

Text of report by Algerian newspaper Al-Fadjr website on 15 June

Security experts in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, have revealed initial contacts between the
terrorists of the Sahel region and armed groups from Nigeria and expressed their fears regarding the
danger of an alliance between the two extremist groups for the African continent.

According to the Mauritanian security sources, the emir of what is known as Al Qa'idah in the Land of the
Islamic Maghreb, the terrorist Abdelmalek Droukdel alias Abou Moussab Abdelwadoud, has embarked
on contacting the violent group named "Boko Haram" and nicknamed the Taleban of Nigeria to escape
from the pressure of the Sahel. The sources also said that Droukdel dreams of expanding his area of
influence to the south.

A statement by the terrorist organization had expressed openly the desire of the leadership of Al Qa'idah
in the Land of Islamic Maghreb to set up an alliance with the active organization in Nigeria. It said "We
are ready to train your children to use weapons and help them as much as we can, whether with men or
weapons, ammunition and equipment to enable them to defend our people in Nigeria and repel the
aggression of the minority of Crusaders".

A Nouakchott-based expert in terrorism in Africa said that the decision to contact the Taleban in Nigeria
had been taken and that for the elements of Al Qa'idah in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb - who are
moving in an area of the Sahel easily, especially in the Niger adjacent to the north of Nigeria - "the matter
is not difficult" and added that there were really contact attempts between Al Qa'idah in the Land of the
Islamic Maghreb and the Taleban of Nigeria and that some armed terrorist elements of the two parties had
met and discussed the issue.

For his part, the French researcher and one of the authors of the reports for the American Centre of
Research "Carnegie", Jean-Pierre Filho explained that although the causes of violence in Nigeria are local
and non-imported, the fact that the leader of the Salafi Group for Call and Combat [GSPC, which
renamed itself as Al-Qa'idah in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb] has offered his services suggests that
Nigeria has become the primary concern of Al Qa'idah in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb. He added that
at the present time only a few members of the Taleban of Nigeria had joined Droukdel's organization. He
said "This was done on a criminal basis rather than on an ideological consensus through the networks of
smuggling or organized crime".

[Description of Source: Algiers El-Fadjr Online in Arabic -- Website of privately owned daily critical of
the government; not widely read; URL: http://www.al-fadjr.com]
Al-Jazirah.net Discusses Likelihood of Al-Qa'ida-Boko Haram Alliance

GMP20100617676001 Doha Al-Jazirah.net in Arabic 16 Jun 10

[Corrected version: Adding multimedia caveat. Report by Firas Nammus: "Did Al-Qa'ida Ally With Boko
Haram?;" For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.]

Observers see in Al-Qa'ida an organization that does not recognize political or geographical borders.
Neither color nor race has a place in its literature. Based on this, people perceived as serious the
declaration attributed to the leader of the Al-Qa'ida Organization in the Land of the Islamic
Maghreb[AQLIM] that Al-Qa'ida was willing to support the Boko Haram group in Nigeria and to train its
members.

The declaration was announced by the AQLIM leader known as Abd El Malek Droukdel [Abu-Mus'ab
Abd-al-Wadud]. According to Agence France-Presse, a statement was attributed to him, in February,
when he offered to train members of the Boko Haram group and supply it with men and ammunition "so
as to be able to defend our people and defeat the crusaders."

But the declaration of this connection, which was already decided upon, and the expansion across the
borderless western Africa area -- as described by one judge in Nouakchott who asked not be named --
make Niger, all the way to the southern coast, a hotbed for Al-Qa'ida members.

A Western diplomat in Nouakchott says: "We saw preliminary contacts that were merely manifested in
the form of talks; and thus far they have not gone beyond this." However, he opined that this will benefit
the Taliban Movement and the Al-Qa'ida organization, as they will be able, as a result, to claim
penetration and success.

In a report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, French researcher Jean-Pierre Filiu also
sees huge danger in this connection. He admits that sectarian violence in Nigeria is inflamed from within;
however, Droukdel's proposition means that Nigeria has become one of the Al-Qa'ida organization's
priorities.
Only a few people in Nigeria have joined Al-Qa'ida so far; however, people familiar with this file say that
if this alliance materializes within the coming days or months, it will pose a real threat and lead the region
to all-out chaos.

The Beneficiaries

Former Algerian diplomat Muhammad al-Arabi Zaytut does not agree with these analyses. He
categorically rejects the premise of an alliance of this nature. The Boko Haram -- meaning "Western
education is prohibited" -- is usually described by its enemies as the Taliban of Nigeria "in an attempt to
demonize it, as they demonized the Afghan Taliban." However, it is only an educational group that rejects
the Western approach to teaching and prohibits it.

There is no resemblance between the work of Al-Qa'ida and the work of this group, which lost more than
1,000 members to acts of violence in July 2009. Human rights organizations said that most of them were
civilians. Some of them were executed in the streets. This calls for an investigation into the identity of
who wins and loses from this "media-proposed" connection between the two parties and into how,
accordingly, Al-Qa'ida can expand southward.

Zaytut, who is also a founding member of the Algerian Rachad Movement, responds by saying that the
beneficiaries are many, especially the United States, which seeks to enter the area under the pretext of
fighting terrorism so as to control the wealth of this region dubbed "the second gulf" because of its huge
oil and mineral reserves.

The second beneficiary -- according to Zaytut -- is the Algerian intelligence apparatus. This will allow it
to interfere in the affairs of another country again under the pretext of fighting terrorism, just like the
United States. He also says that this will enhance its position in the struggle against the presidency wing,
enabling it to control many significant aspects [of the administration of the country].

Some regimes in the region will also benefit from this. It will be convenient for them to hide behind
fighting terrorism and "the outside enemy" to tighten the grip on liberties, and find an excuse in
"terrorism" for their totalitarian policies and practices. They will also have an excuse to coerce the
opposition.

The biggest loser -- in his opinion -- is the Boko Haram and the Nigerian Muslims, whose names will be
thrust into a matter that does not concern them. He added that AQLIM is also one of the losers, since the
"media went out of their way to connect it to the drug trade."
Al-Qa'ida and Drugs

Press reports connect Al-Qa'ida to drug smugglers from Latin America and Afghanistan. Some reports
even link it to the "Colombian cartels" saying Al-Qa'ida secures safe passage for the cartels to smuggle
drugs into Europe in exchange for money.

But Zaytut sees that what is happening in Africa is a re-enactment of what is happening in Afghanistan
with regard to the link between the Taliban and drug-smuggling, although it was proven that senior
officers and officials in some governments of the region were the ones directly involved in the smuggling,
according to him.

He affirmed that some people write under aliases on subjects of this nature -- such as the relationship
between Al-Qa'ida and Boko Haram, and the smuggling of drugs.

The question remains as to the point of assuming a relationship between a militant group that operates
militarily, and the leader of which is reportedly dreaming of expanding its influence southward, and a
group that rejects Western education and the ideology of which is yet unclear.

[Description of Source: Doha Al-Jazirah.net in Arabic -- Website of Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel

Television, an independent television station financed by the Qatari Government; URL:
http://www.aljazeera.net]

Nigeria: Borno Police Intensify Security Over Islamic Sect's Planned Anniversary
AFP20100626565024 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 25 Jun 10

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Security Beefed Up in Borno Over Boko Haram's Planned Anniversary"]

Security has been mounted by the Police in Borno State following alleged plan by the Boko Haram
Islamic sect to mark the killing of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, during last July's sectarian crisis that
claimed many lives and property in Maiduguri, the state capital.

According to Borno State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdu, measures are being taken to ensure that
no breach of peace is committed by any of the Islamic sect members during the anniversary.

Briefing the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande, on the state of security in
the state, the police chief said: "We have already taken measures to ensure that there is no breach of peace
and security. The police should not be caught unawares."

He urged residents of Maiduguri and other communities to report any one suspected to be connected with
the sect, appealing that the general public should fully cooperate and be tolerant with the police whenever
they are subjected to searches at strategic points in the Maiduguri metropolis, Biu, Gwoza, Damasak and
Bama.

Governor Ali Sheriff had last month signed an order declaring the Boko Haram Islamic sect illegal and
dangerous to government, making it unlawful for anyone to belong to the sect or practice its ideologies.

The governor said he acted on the recommendations of a committee pursuant to the powers vested in him
by Section 97 (A) of the Penal Code Law, CAP 102 Laws of Borno State and all other powers enabling
him.

Earlier in the year, video clips were also circulated in Maiduguri, claiming that the deputy leader of the
sect, Mallam Abubakar Shekau, was alive and was planning to regroup members of the Boko Haram sect
to launch fresh attacks in the state.

But the Police Commissioner said the Police had it on good authority that Shekau was killed in August
2009.
[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Threatens Attack to Honor Leader's Death

AFP20100630606008 Abuja African Independent Television in English 1900 GMT 25 Jun 10

The Police in Borno State has increased security following alleged plan by the Boko Haram Islamic sect
to mark the one year anniversary of the killing of its leader, Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, and other
members during last July’s sectarian crisis that claimed many lives and property in Maiduguri, the Borno
State capital.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdu, who disclosed this to newsmen in Maiduguri, said the
group plans an attack for the commemoration. Yusuf was killed by Nigerian military force in July 2009
after he stirred up a four-day riot in northern states.

[Begin Abdu recording] It has come to our knowledge that some faceless people suspected to be members
of Boko Haram are trying to cause mayhem in the state as part of the one year remembrance of their
fallen colleagues killed during the July 2009 uprising. We have put in place a surveillance team, stop and
search patrol, as well as plain clothes policemen. Police officers have also been deployed to strategic
positions in the state as part of security arrangements. [end recording]

The police commissioner called on traditional and religious leaders as well as members of the public to
assist the police with useful information on the whereabouts of the proscribed Boko Harm members. He
advised people to go about their normal businesses, assuring them that the police and other security
agencies are in position to guarantee their safety. The Boko Haram group is campaigning against Western
knowledge.
[Description of Source: Abuja African Independent Television in English -- privately owned independent
Television station]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Leader Declared 'Dead' by Police Reportedly Re-Emerges

AFP20100701581006 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 30 Jun 10

[Report by Habeeb I. Pindiga and Isa Umar Gusau: "'Dead' Boko Haram Leader Re-Emerges in New
Video"]

Deputy leader of the Boko Haram sect who the police said they killed in Maiduguri during last year's
clashes has re-emerged in a new video clip, saying he has assumed command of the group and would
continue to propagate its anti-Western education ideology.

Imam Abubakar Shekau was the second-in-command to Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed by the police
in July last year after days of fighting between security forces and the sect's followers. The police said last
year that Shekau was shot dead in the clashes.

But a 25-minute video clip, shot on April 19 and obtained by Daily Trust in Abuja during the week,
showed Shekau answering questions from a journalist at his hideout believed to be in Maiduguri.

In the clip, Shekau is seen wearing a headdress, with an AK-47 gun and a stack of religious books behind
him. People who know Shekau very well identified him in a still image captured from the video clip.

Proclaiming himself as leader of the sect, Shekau said during the interview that with the death of the
former leader, he "being the deputy (to Yusuf), stepped in and assumed leadership to continue in the
pursuit of religious knowledge."
However, the police in Maiduguri insisted on Tuesday that Shekau is dead.

Borno State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Abdu told our reporter that information available to the
police indicated that both leaders of the sect--Yusuf and Shekau--have been killed.

"I have not seen the clip and I cannot comment on what I have not seen. (But) to the best of my
knowledge, Shekau and Mohammed Yusuf are dead. If anybody can identify them and tell us their
location, we are ready to act. But to us they are dead, if they are alive, they are wanted persons," Abdu
said.

There had been no conclusive evidence of the claim that Shekau was killed in the Boko Haram clashes,
unlike the case of Mohammed Yusuf, whose death was confirmed because of the wide circulation of the
photo of his dead body.

Initial speculations were that Shekau was killed at the sect's Ibn Taimiyya enclave, when soldiers engaged
the members in a gun battle on the second day of the clashes. But there were rumours later that the
second-in-command had escaped out of the state.

Asked to explain how he survived the onslaught by security forces during the 4-day clashes, Shekau said
in the video clip that he was shot in the thigh but was rescued by "fellow believers and protected by
Allah."

He argued that his men were not the first to attack security agencies, but that they retaliated in self
defence after they were hit. He claimed that during the Boko Haram clashes, only a few of his men were
killed and that the major casualties were mere passersby, mad people and young hawkers.

Shekau vowed to retaliate for the killings of his followers in Maiduguri and other places.

Asked why they use guns even though the guns were also products of Western education, he said, "Guns
are not products of boko... we also can make guns, we even made and used guns."

On where his sect gets weaponry, Shekau said, "We get them from where we get them. God said we
should get them (weapons), the Holy Prophet said we should get them."
He insisted that the pursuit of Western education is prohibited, and that his group would continue to
propagate the Boko Haram ideology.

"What we are saying is that it is not permissible to seek for boko (Western education) under the prevailing
system and given the un-Islamic things introduced in boko," he said.

"We are not fighting Western education itself, what we are opposed to are the various un-Islamic things
slotted into it and the system upon which the study of Western education is rested. These are the reasons
why we say it's not permissible to study it."

The video clip was shot by a journalist, who told Daily Trust that he sought to interview Shekau through
some followers in Maiduguri. They then arranged and picked him up at night on April 19 at a location
within the city, blindfolded and drove him to a hideout.

The journalist said the place should be in Maiduguri because the drive took just about an hour and did not
feel like a movement out of the city. He said he was taken into a house and to a pre-set stage for the
interview in a room. He also said Shekau had armed guards with him.

Shekau was, besides being a second-in-command of the sect, the most influential and feared member of
the Boko Haram group.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]

Nigeria: Again Islamic Extremists Threaten Mayhem

AFP20100701606004 Abuja African Independent Television in English 1900 GMT 28 Jun 10

The Borno State Police Command has revealed it had uncovered a plot by the extremist Islamic sect,
Boko Haram, to cause trouble in the state. Speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri, the state capital today, the
State Commissioner for Police, Ibrahim Abdu, said the attack would be to mark the first anniversary of
the death of the leader of the sect, Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf.

[Begin Abdu recording] It has come to our knowledge that some faceless people suspected to be members
of Boko Haram are trying to cause mayhem in the state, as part of the one year remembrance of their
colleagues who were killed during the July 2009 uprising. We have put in place a surveillance team, stop
and search patrol, as well as plain clothes policemen. Police officers have been deployed to strategic
positions in the state as part of security arrangements. [end recording]

While cautioning the people of the state to be on the alert for any danger signals, the police commissioner
called on traditional and religious leaders, as well as members of the public, to assist the police with
useful information on the whereabouts of the proscribed Boko Harm members.

In 2009, the group unleashed mayhem in some northern states that led to the death of several losses of
lives and property in clashes between them and security forces. The group opposes western education.

[Description of Source: Abuja African Independent Television in English -- privately owned independent
Television station]

Nigeria: Borno Police Intensify Security Over Alleged Resurgence of Islamic Sect

AFP20100707565011 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 07 Jul 10

[Report by James Bwala: "Security Beefed Up in Maiduguri Over Boko Haram Threat"]

Following the rumour in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, that the Boko Haram members were planning to
celebrate the first memorial of their late leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed last year in a police
shoot out, heavy security presence was witnessed on Tuesday, in most parts of the metropolis, indicating
the readiness of the police to curb any unforeseen situation that might arise.

The Borno State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdu, has also reassured the people of the state of
maximum security over the alleged resurgence of the Boko Haram sect members, who were said to have
hoisted their flags in some parts of the metropolis.

Abdu's assurance came on the heels of the rumour that Imam Abubakar Shekau, the deputy leader of
Boko-Haram was alive and not dead as claimed by the police during last July mayhem, when hundreds of
lives were lost.

The rumour also claimed that Shekau would return to Maiduguri this month to carry out a revenge on the
police and other persons that partook in the killing of their members.

But the state police commissioner, however, dismissed the rumour stressing that similar rumour was
carried all over the state last December, when a digitally manipulated video of Abubakar Shekau was
circulated through the bluetooth devices of phones, showing the purported clips of the fugitive delivering
war sermons and threatening revenge.

Despite the police assurance, inhabitants of the state, were particularly skeptical on whether or nor the
police would live up to their responsibility as they had in the past failed to protect lives and properties,
when they had all the time in the world to prevent the first Boko haram attack from happening.

The police insisted that the said flags were not in any way like that of the Boko-Haram sect. "As a matter
of fact when we got the wind of the flags being hoisted, we got there and secured them only to find out
they were not the known white on black Boko-Haram flags that everyone knows; the two flag were pieces
of clothes with printed Arabic inscription, while the real boko-haram flags we recovered last year were
totally different", said the Borno CP [Commissioner of Police].

The CP added that the person arrested in connection with the hoisting of the Boko-haram flag was later
found out to be insane, "who has cases of madness in their family". He added.
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Leader Condemns US Over Al Quai'da Members' Death in Iraq Source City: Abuja

AFP20100714606006 Leadership in English 14 Jul 10 p 2

[Report by Unnamed reporter: "Boko Haram Leader Praises Al-Qeada, Threatens US"]

The leader of the radical Boko Haram Muslim sect that sparked the violence that killed 70 people last
year Abubakar Shekau has issued a statement mourning the death of al-Qeada members in Iraq and
threatening the U.S.

Shekau, a deputy for the Boko Haram sect whom police claimed to have killed during the July 2009
violence, issued the statement on a jihadist Internet forum. The message, translated yesterday by the SITE
Intelligence Group, shows Shekau also praising Osama bin Laden and said: "Do not think jihad is over.
Rather jihad has just begun. O America, die with your fury."

The message comes as the one-year anniversary of the violence approaches. Shekau made a videotaped
statement in April claiming the group would launch new attacks.

[Description of Source: Abuja Leadership in English - Privately owned daily]

Nigerian Taliban Reportedly Reforming To Strike Again a Year After Uprising

AFP20100716670002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0728 GMT 16 Jul 10

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 16, 2010 (AFP) - The 32-year-old perfume seller is ready for holy war, but
he is waiting for orders from his leader, an Islamist believed killed in an uprising in northern Nigeria
nearly a year ago.

"What happens in the next few weeks depends on the directives our leaders send to us," Yerima Faltaye
said as he sold his goods on the streets in the city of Maiduguri. "Once the directive comes, nothing can
stop us."

Late July marks one year since an uprising by an Islamist sect in Nigeria's north that left more than 800
dead and spread across four states, and there are fears the so-called Nigerian Taliban is reforming to strike
again.

The uprising shocked the country, where roughly half of the 150 million population is Muslim and a
dozen of the nation's 36 states have implemented Islamic sharia law, though it is selectively applied.

As a result, this city, the centre of the uprising, resembles a police state ahead of the July 26 anniversary.

A dozen vans with gun-toting police escorted by a siren-blaring armoured car regularly rumble through
the dusty streets.

Tensions have been stoked by the release of video clips of one of the Islamist leaders believed killed,
Abubakar Shekau, in which he threatens to "avenge the killings of our brethren."
A message attributed to him was also posted on a website this week, according to a US-based monitoring
group, in which he threatens the United States and pays tribute to al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq.

The sect, called Boko Haram ('Western education is sin' in local dialect), launched the insurrection last
year from an enclave in Maiduguri in a doomed bid to establish an Islamic state.

Nigerian police and troops crushed the uprising after four days of street battles that left more than 800
dead, mostly sect members, including the group's leader Mohammed Yusuf.

Shekau, the man now appearing on video, was his deputy and had been thought killed, as well. Police still
maintain that Shekau is dead and dismiss the video clips as digital mock-ups.

In one video clip being circulated on mobile phones, Shekau is clad in military camouflage and wears a
white turban. He sits between two AK-47 rifles and claims to be the new sect leader.

The 30-minute long clip shows scores of masked young men conducting military exercises at an
undisclosed desert location.

"We will definitely avenge the killings of our brethren, including Mohammed Yusuf. Jihad has just begun
in Nigeria," he says in local Hausa dialect in a clip seen by an AFP reporter.

"What happened was only the prelude, the actual show has not started yet."

In another clip, Shekau is flanked by two masked men in military camouflage brandishing Kalashnikov
rifles. His speech is interrupted by a ringing cell phone and a wailing baby.

"Most of our fighters escaped the fighting and are still around and are ready to fight as ever," Shekau
says.

Borno state police chief Ibrahim Abdu said rumours the sect was readying to mark the rebellion
anniversary have pushed security forces "to be on the watch-out for the members of the group".
Hundreds of anti-riot police reinforcements have been deployed in the city, Abdu said, while more
intelligence personnel have been called in.

But that has only heightened tension among Maiduguri residents.

"The deployment of more policemen in the city and the daily patrols have only increased residents'
apprehension of the possible re-emergence of Boko Haram," Maiduguri resident Mohammed Goni said
outside his provision store as the patrol motorcade zoomed past.

Ibrahim Mala, a repentant sect member-turned-grocer at Maiduguri's main market, claims to know where
Shekau is hiding.

"He escaped the fighting ... and is now hiding in the desert between Chad and Sudan," Mala said.

Police guard the sect's former headquarters reduced to rubble by Nigerian troops during last year's
clashes.

"Two weeks ago a member of the sect came here to pray for t he soul of Mohammed Yusuf, who he said
was his spiritual leader and a divine fighter," a police officer at the site told AFP, pointing to a heap of
rubble that had been the mosque.

But a university lecturer who had contact with the sect's leadership while doing research on the group
dismissed Shekau's threats.

"Shekau lacks the power of persuasion, the oratory and maturity which fetched Mohammed Yusuf
followers," Ahmad Baba Tela, a linguistics professor at University of Maiduguri, said.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Fears of a New Generation of Nigerian Taliban Fighters

AFP20100730670002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1006 GMT 30 Jul 10

Maiduguri, Nigeria, July 29, 2010 (AFP) - She is a grandmother, but authorities tracking the remaining
members of the Nigerian Taliban after crushing the sect's uprising a year ago may have reason for
concern.

The 48-year-old whose son was among the sect members killed in the fighting said she will teach his six
children left behind to follow in his footsteps.

"We may retreat but we will not surrender," she told AFP outside her house in Maiduguri, the northern
city at the centre of the uprising.

"There are a lot of children like them and we will drill in them how their fathers were cut down in their
prime by Nigerian security forces," she said, clad in a black veil revealing only her face.

A year after authorities put down the Islamist sect's uprising in northern Nigeria and killed its leader,
some observers say there is a danger that the children of sect members could grow up to replenish its
ranks.

Abubakar Tsav, a respected former police commissioner for Lagos who now lives in the country's mainly
Muslim north, said Boko Haram, as the sect is also known, may rise again for that reason.

"The government may seem to have clamped on Boko Haram, but the real menace may be years away as
the sect is now engaged in indoctrinating the children of its members, particularly of those killed during
last year's violence," Tsav told AFP.
Troops crushed the uprising after four days of fighting that killed more than 800 people. Sect leader
Mohammed Yusuf was shot on July 30 last year by police, who said he was trying to escape hours after
his capture.

As the one-year anniversary approached, tension gripped Maiduguri following rumours the sect was
planning to strike again, leading to the deployment of police reinforcements from neighbouring states and
intelligence personnel.

There have been no incidents so far and apprehension among residents seems to have dissipated.

But some say a new generation of holy warriors may be developing.

"We have the fear that the real problem may not be now, but in years to come, when the children of Boko
Haram militants come of age," said Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress rights group based in the
northern city of Kaduna.

Sani believes the insurgent group has not been completely stamped out, with many of its militant
members having gone underground, "making the Boko Haram an unfinished business."

"One can imagine the type of human beings these children will turn out to be, having been trained to only
hate, fight and kill in the name of religion right from their formative years," Sani said.

He said that if the government failed to integrate Boko Haram children into society, they "will certainly
pick up from where their parents had fallen and continue with the insurgency with more vigour, ferocity
and dedication."

The government in Borno state, where Maiduguri is located, has outlawed the sect.

"Despite the risk, we are determined to continue with our struggle and our children are following our
footsteps by teaching them to be mujahideen (Islamic fighters)," Yerima Faltaye, a 32-year old perfume
vendor and sect member told AFP.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Questions Remain a Year After Nigerian Taliban Chief's Death

AFP20100730670004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0832 GMT 30 Jul 10

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 30, 2010 (AFP) - The police chief has a stern warning a year after
authorities gunned down the leader of the Nigerian Taliban and crushed his group's uprising, leaving its
headquarters in ruins.

"It's a crime to pronounce those words," Borno state police commissioner Ibrahim Abdu said, referring to
Boko Haram, as the Islamist sect is also known. He then refused to answer any questions.

It has been a year since the military and police put down an insurrection by the sect in mainly Muslim
northern Nigeria with a brutal assault, leaving its mosque and headquarters a pile of crumbled concrete
that remains at the site.

The movement's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was captured alive and then killed on July 30 last year by
police, who said he was trying to escape. More than 800 people died in the fighting that lasted nearly a
week.

Many observers now say the remaining sect members are dispersed and may be incapable of reforming
and striking again anytime soon, though they are still committed and would like to.

But troubling questions persist over why such a group sprouted in northern Nigeria in the first place, with
some saying the country's massive corruption and wide gap between the rich and poor led to the
movement and may do so again.
Young people convinced such conditions will not change made them susceptible to Yusuf's message that
Nigeria should become an Islamic state, some observers said.

"They can't distinguish that you can practice Western democracy differently from the one they see," said
Kyari Mohammed, a Nigerian university professor preparing a book on the sect.

Authorities in Maiduguri, the sleepy northern Nigerian city that was the centre of the uprising which
spread to four states, rejected the explanation but refused to speak in detail about the uprising.

They say there is no danger now, and that measures have been put in place to keep a similar episode from
happening again in Africa's most populous nation, including requiring religious leaders to be approved by
the state government.

They also insist that Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, was killed last year, though he has recently
appeared on video issuing new threats. Police say the clips are digital mock-ups.

"We are assuring our people ... and the whole world, that such a situation will never happen again," said
Isa Sanda Beneshiekh, state information commissioner.

Security was tightened this week, with night checkpoints and intelligence agents blanketing the city.

Agents monitored some of the movements of journalists reporting in Maiduguri. Police also refused to
allow residents near the site of the sect's destroyed headquarters to answer reporters' questions.

One man claiming to be a member of the sect, but who said he did not participate in the violence, told
AFP that Shekau was the new leader.

He claimed sect members had weapons hidden in various part of the country -- no surprise considering
illegal arms are widespread in Nigeria -- but would not comment in detail on when the group could strike
again.

"We are ordained by Allah to be prepared and amass weapons in case the enemy attacks," said the 35-
year-old, who refused to be named.
"Anybody who doesn't like Islam, works against the establishment of an Islamic state, who is against the
prophet, is an enemy."

Yusuf, believed to be only 39 at the time of his death, had at one point claimed to have 3,000 students, but
it is difficult to find a reliable estimate of the group's numbers.

A communications lecturer at the University of Maiduguri who closely followed the situation said the
government bore responsibility for allowing the sect to develop.

"It was not totally unexpected, given the situation in the country," said Mohammed Gujbawu, 42, naming
unemployment as a major factor. "The ground was well-prepared for this kind of tragedy to happen."

As Yusuf's rhetoric grew more militant, the military and police assigned a task force to trac k Boko
Haram, which means "Western education is sin" in local dialect.

According to the sect member interviewed by AFP and professor Mohammed, one incident seemed to be
the final straw.

There was a confrontation between authorities and sect followers seeking to attend a funeral for Boko
Haram members killed in a road accident. It escalated and resulted in police shooting several sect
followers, they said.

The group then decided to attack police posts, leading to nearly a week of fighting that ended with the
sect's headquarters destroyed.

There have been accusations that both authorities and the sect killed civilians in the process. Police have
said 32 of its members died.

"What we have seen, we don't want to see with our eyes again," a police officer guarding the ruins of the
mosque said.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Profile of Late Nigerian Taliban Chief

AFP20100730670014 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0837 GMT 30 Jul 10

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 30, 2010 (AFP) - Mohammed Yusuf, the Nigerian Taliban chief killed a
year ago, led an uprising in the country's north but some say he was a reluctant fighter who had settled in
to a comfortable life.

The head of the Islamist sect was believed to be only 39 when he was gunned down by police on July
30th last year, yet he had built a strong following with his message that Nigeria should become an Islamic
state.

He was a charismatic leader who convinced young people in Africa's most populous nation to join him
despite seeming to have only elementary knowledge of the Koran, according to one professor writing a
book on the sect.

Recordings of his sermons sold briskly in this region of the mainly Muslim north before last year's
insurrection, but they are difficult to find now since police have outlawed them.

A theology undergraduate dropout from the Islamic University of Medina in Saudi Arabia, Yusuf was
born in Girigiri village in northeastern Yobe, a state bordering Niger.

According to observers, he was expelled from several mosques for his extreme views in the years before
the uprising.
In 2002, when he was a student at one of the largest mosques in Maiduguri, the city at the centre of the
uprising and where the sect was based, he was kicked out after he tried to push his views on others.

"We did all we could," said Aliyu Mohammed, 65, a security worker and worshipper at the mosque.
"Muslim clerics had spoken with him (about his views)."

He eventually wound up at the mosque that would later serve as the headquarters of the sect, which was
also known as Boko Haram, or "Western education is sin" in local dialect.

But some observers say he was more moderate than his deputy, Abubakar Shekau. According to their
account, Shekau pushed him into violence sooner than he would have liked.

"The general argument was that even though Yusuf was the leader ... he was not yet ready to give his life
for the cause," said Kyari Mohammed, the Nigerian professor preparing a book on the sect.

"For them, he was becoming too comfortable with the world."

He is believed to have collected large amounts of money through donations from sect members and liked
to drive around in SUVs, said Mohammed.

The military and police crushed the sect's uprising a year ago, destroying its mosque and capturing Yusuf.
Police later shot and killed him, saying he had been trying to escape.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Borno State Government to Screen Islamic Preachers

AFP20100805696009 Kaduna KNR Kaduna in Hausa 1700 GMT 04 Aug 10

A 12- member Islamic preaching board to regulate the conduct of preachers in Borno State has been
inaugurated. This is coming on the heels of the forthcoming Ramadan fasting.

Performing the inaugural ceremony, Governor Ali Madu Sherrif said the board was aimed at preventing a
reoccurrence of the 2009 Boko Haram crisis in the state. He said the state government discovered that
some Islamic preachers take advantage of the fasting period to incite their followers against constituted
authorities by using derogatory languages.

Governor Sherif charged members of the board to use their vast knowledge of the Quran and Hadith to
checkmate bad preachers. He said that henceforth, only scholars who are duly licensed by the board
would be allowed to preach in the state.

[Description of Source: Kaduna Nagarta Radio in Hausa Radio owned by pro- ruling Peoples Democratic
Party Generals Aliyu Gusau and Former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Allegedly Kills 3 Police Officers

FEA20100827008770 - OSC Feature - Daily Trust Online 2300 GMT 26 Aug 10

[Report by Hamza Idris and Sharafa Dauda: "Boko Haram Snipers Kill 3 Policemen"]
Members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect appeared to have resorted to guerrilla warfare as they waylaid
and shot dead three policemen in Damaturu and Maiduguri, centres of the deadly violence sparked by the
group in July last year.

In Maiduguri, Borno State, two policemen were shot and their guns taken by four suspected members of
the sect, who came riding bikes on Wednesday night, while another cop was killed in Damaturu when
other gunmen attacked the private residence of Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam also on
Wednesday.

Inspector Shettima Mustapha and newly-decorated Corporal Ahmed Mohammed, both of the Bulunkutu-
Gomari Divisional Police Station in Jere Local Government Area in the outskirts of Maiduguri city, were
attacked near the Gomari central mosque by four men dressed in black overalls.

The gunmen drove towards the policemen, who were also riding a bike, thereby felling them, before
firing at them at close range, according to accounts of security sources. The sources said 16 shells of used
ammunition were found at the scene of the killing.

Borno State Police Commissioner Ibrahim Abdu, who confirmed the shootings, told newsmen yesterday
the cops were on their way to their beat at the Gomari bus stop for the routine stop-and-search operation
and also the enforcement of the ban on the movement of motorcycles, which was recently extended to
10pm.

"They were on a motorcycle. The inspector was riding and the corporal was backed on the motorbike. As
they were moving, unknown to them, two motorcyclists were trailing them from behind. They came very
close to them, opened fire and killed them. They shot them from behind at the back of their neck," Abdu
told newsmen.

He said police investigations are pointing to a particular direction, which he did not mention, following
recent series of killings of policemen in similar pattern. "But we do not want to disclose and pre-empt
investigations. The SSS and military intelligence are assisting us. The security outfits are all working
together to see that the perpetrators are brought to book," he added.

A witness told our reporter that the gunmen might have trailed the policemen "because immediately they
swerved across their path with one of their motorcycles, two of them took up positions in separate
directions of the fleeing officers and shot at them until they were sure they had died."
Six policemen have so far been killed in Maiduguri in attacks following similar patterns. One civilian was
also killed while another sustained injuries. In all attacks, the gunmen rode on motorcycles.

Residents fear that this could be a comeback or revenge attempt by the Boko Haram sect, which recorded
heavy losses in days of fighting with security forces last year.

In Damaturu, the gunmen attacked Gaidam's residence at the Gwange area around 8pm on Wednesday,
killing Constable Barde Emos, State Police Commissioner Mamman Sule told journalists. The governor is
away in Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.

"The attackers were two in number and they went to the house on a motorcycle," he said. "Immediately
they arrived, they used gun and killed the police constable who was guarding the house before they fled
away. He died shortly after taking him to hospital. We did not arrest anybody but we have recovered
some pellets (used bullets) at the scene of the attack," he added.

Emos said incident was exactly like the one that happened few months ago at the residence of former
Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim, where the attackers killed a policeman and fled away.

"As at now, we are yet to ascertain the actual mission of the attackers even though some people have
started giving it political coloration. Personally, I feel it is a reprisal attack by the remnants of the Boko
Haram sect," he said.

The commissioner said two members of the Boko Haram sect were arrested at the weekend in Damaturu
while downloading some speeches of the late leader of the sect Mohammed Yusuf.

"Some of the sect members are resur facing in town because they have been discharged and acquitted by
courts," the commissioner said.

He said security would be beefed up in Damaturu to forestall further attacks. "We would intensify stop-
and-search surveillance from 6pm to 6am everyday," he said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]
Suspected Nigerian 'Islamists' Kill Policeman, Wound Five Civilians in North

AFP20100907642001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2132 GMT 06 Sep 10

['Islamists kill officer, wound five in Nigeria KANO;" AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Sept 6, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising
last year have killed a retired police officer and wounded five other people, the latest of such attacks in
Nigeria's north, police said Monday.

Motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire on the victims in three separate incidents on Sunday in and around
the northern city of Maiduguri, the centre of the 2009 uprising, said Borno state police commissioner
Ibrahim Abdu.

"We had three incidents in Borno state yesterday, which suggests that Boko Haram is on the attack,"
Abdu told AFP, referring to the sect also known as the Nigerian Taliban.

"We strongly suspect they are responsible for the spate of hit-and-run attacks we have been witnessing in
the last few weeks."

Police in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north said recently that they suspected the sect was behind at least
seven other similar killings that have occurred in recent months.

In one incident on Sunday in the town of Bama outside Maiduguri, gunmen shot and killed a retired
police officer.

The two other incidents occurred in Maiduguri, including one that saw a local chief shot and wounded
outside his house along with two other people.
Abdu said local chiefs helped police locate Boko Haram members after the uprising and the suspects may
have targeted him because of that.

Two people were also shot and wounded outside their home in another part of town on Sunday. Police
have not made any arrests.

Last year's uprising by the sect began with attacks on police posts. It was crushed by a police and military
assault, with hundreds eventually killed and the sect's headquarters and mosque left in ruins.

Boko Haram means "Western education is sin" in local Hausa dialect.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Boko Haram Islamists Allegedly Kill One, Wound Five in North

FEA20100907009027 - OSC Feature - AFP (World Service) 2132 GMT 06 Sep 10

['Islamists kill officer, wound five in Nigeria KANO;" AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Sept 6, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising
last year have killed a retired police officer and wounded five other people, the latest of such attacks in
Nigeria's north, police said Monday.
Motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire on the victims in three separate incidents on Sunday in and around
the northern city of Maiduguri, the centre of the 2009 uprising, said Borno state police commissioner
Ibrahim Abdu.

"We had three incidents in Borno state yesterday, which suggests that Boko Haram is on the attack,"
Abdu told AFP, referring to the sect also known as the Nigerian Taliban.

"We strongly suspect they are responsible for the spate of hit-and-run attacks we have been witnessing in
the last few weeks."

Police in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north said recently that they suspected the sect was behind at least
seven other similar killings that have occurred in recent months.

In one incident on Sunday in the town of Bama outside Maiduguri, gunmen shot and killed a retired
police officer.

The two other incidents occurred in Maiduguri, including one that saw a local chief shot and wounded
outside his house along with two other people.

Abdu said local chiefs helped police locate Boko Haram members after the uprising and the suspects may
have targeted him because of that.

Two people were also shot and wounded outside their home in another part of town on Sunday. Police
have not made any arrests.

Last year's uprising by the sect began with attacks on police posts. It was crushed by a police and military
assault, with hundreds eventually killed and the sect's headquarters and mosque left in ruins.

Boko Haram means "Western education is sin" in local Hausa dialect.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Suspected Members of Nigerian Boko Haram Islamic Sect Attack Prison in Bauchi

AFP20100907648012 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1940 GMT 07 Sep 10

["Suspected Islamists attack prison in Nigeria: authorities"]

KANO, Nigeria, Sept 7, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising
last year attacked a prison in northern Nigeria on Tuesday, authorities said, while residents reported
gunshots in the area.

"The Bauchi central prison was attacked this evening by people believed to be members of Boko Haram
in an attempt to free their comrades," Bauchi state police commissioner Danlami Yar'Adua said, referring
to the name of the sect.

An adviser to the Bauchi state governor also confirmed the attack. Both said the situation had been
brought under control, but neither said whether anyone was killed or if any prisoners had escaped.

Residents reported gunshots in the area on Tuesday evening.

The attack comes after a recent spate of deadly shootings in northern Nigeria blamed on members of the
sect. Police officers have been among the victims.

Last year's uprising by Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Taliban, began with attacks on police
posts.

It was crushed by a police and military assault, with hundreds eventually killed and the sect's headquarters
and mosque left in ruins.

Its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was captured alive and then killed on July 30 last year by police, who said
he was trying to escape.
Police also insist that Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, was killed last year, though he recently appeared
on video issuing new threats. Police say the clips are digital mock-ups.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigerian Police Official Says Boko Haram Attacks Prison To Free Jailed Members

AFP20100907648014 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2049 GMT 07 Sep 10

["Suspected Islamists attack prison in Nigeria: authorities" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Sept 7, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising
last year attacked a prison in northern Nigeria on Tuesday, officials said, sparking a fierce gun battle with
authorities.

Authorities in Bauchi said they repelled the attack, which followed a spate of recent shootings blamed on
the sect. Residents said that military and police were occasionally firing into the air as they locked the
area down.

"There was heavy fighting between the attackers and the security forces which lasted for almost an hour.
It was quite terrifying," resident Usman Ahmad told AFP by phone.

Residents took cover to avoid being caught in the crossfire and to keep from being mistaken for one of the
sect members, he said.
"The army and police personnel have been deployed in large numbers and have taken control of the area
around the prison," Ahmad said.

"But for sporadic shooting in the air by the army and the police, it's calm. Fighting has stopped."

Bauchi state police commissioner Danlami Yar'Adua and an adviser to the state governor confirmed the
attack, with both saying the situation had been brought under control.

Neither said whether anyone was killed or if prisoners had escaped. It was also unclear how many alleged
sect members were involved.

"The Bauchi central prison was attacked this evening by people believed to be members of Boko Haram
in an attempt to free their comrades," Bauchi state police commissioner Danlami Yar'Adua said, referring
to the name of the sect.

"They arrived at the prison and began shooting sporadically to gain access, but we deployed our anti-riot
policemen, who engaged them and contained the situation."

Police have been among the victims of the recent deadly shootings in northern Nigeria blamed on
members of the sect. At least nine people have been killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen.

Last year's uprising by Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Taliban, began with attacks on police
posts.

It was crushed by a police and military assault, with hundreds eventually killed and the sect's headquarters
and mosque left in ruins.

Its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was captured alive and then killed on July 30 last year by police, who said
he was trying to escape.

Police also insist that Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, was killed last year, though he recently appeared
on video issuing new threats. Police say the clips are digital mock-ups.
At the time of the one-year anniversary of the uprising in July, authorities in Maiduguri, where the sect
was based, insisted there was no threat of attacks, but security was tightened and intelligence agents
blanketed the city.

The recent shootings had signaled the sect may be preparing to strike again in Africa's most populous
nation.

Most of the shootings occurred in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, where authorities earlier Tuesday
banned the use of motorcycles at night in a bid to stop the violence.

Tuesday's attack comes just before the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and ahead of
January presidential elections.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sin" in local Hausa dialect, had fought for the creation
of an Islamic state in Nigeria, whose 150 million population is divided roughly in half between Christians
and Muslims.

Nigeria's north is mainly Muslim, while the south is predominately Christian.

The vast majority of Muslims in the country reject the sect's hardline ideology, and many observers say
the group grew out of frustration with Nigeria's widespread corruption, poverty and lack of opportunities
for youths.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Police Say Suspected Islamic Sect Members Attack Prison in Bauchi State
AFP20100908565001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 08 Sep 10

[Report by Ishola Michael: "Boko Haram Warriors, Policemen Clash in Bauchi"]

A number of people were, on Tuesday, killed in a shoot-out between suspected members of the dreaded
Muslim fundamentalists, Boko Haram.

The fundamentalists had stormed the Bauchi prisons with the intention of setting free some of their
members awaiting trial from last year's religious crisis, which claimed many lives and properties worth
several millions of naira.

The fundamentalists reportedly stormed the prisons at about 6.30 p.m. immediately after the breaking of
fast by Muslims and tried to force themselves into the prison a move that was resisted by the armed
prisons warders around but whose fire arms could not match those of the fundamentalists, who were well
armed.

It was pandemonium as people around the Emir Drive, Bakaro, Karofin Madaki, Kobi and Railways areas
ran for cover from stray bullets and the fundamentalists were said to be shooting sporadically with their
bullets hitting innocent people who did not envisage anything as they prepared for the breaking of the
Moslem fasting of the month of Ramadan.

Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Danlami Yar'adua confirmed the crisis in a telephone interview,
saying, "yes, there was an attempt by suspected persons to break into the Bauchi prisons and they were
said to be armed, we have mobilised our armed anti-riot mobile policemen to the prison to ensure that the
situation did not get out of hands."

The police boss added that, "for now I cannot tell you whether there are casualties or not, but as soon as
we have the details, you will be duly informed but let me assure you that the situation is under control as
our men are battle ready to check the crisis."

At the time of filing this report, residents of Bauchi had deserted the streets while armed security men had
taken over the patrol of the town to ensure that the crisis did not spread to other parts of the town while
the state government has asked people to remain calm as the situation is under control and will not be
allowed to spread.
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Official Says Islamist Attack on Nigerian Prison Frees 732 Inmates

AFP20100908309004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1001 GMT 08 Sep 10

["Attack on Nigerian prison frees 732 inmates: official" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Sept 8, 2010 (AFP) - An attack on a prison in northern Nigeria by suspected members of
an Islamist sect freed 732 inmates, including members of the extremist group, the state prisons head said
on Wednesday.

"The prison had 762 inmates at the time of the attack," Mohammed Ahmed told AFP, adding that "732
escaped, leaving 30."

Referring to the sect, he said, "All the Boko Haram suspects on remand have escaped. There were 150 of
them."

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Fear reported in northern Nigeria over re-emergence of Islamic sect

AFP20100908011004 Caversham BBC Monitoring in English 08 Sep 10

Fear reported in northern Nigeria over re-emergence of Islamic sect

Background briefing by BBC Monitoring on 8 September

A spate of killings targeting government officials and police officers in northern Nigeria and the invasion
of a prison by gunmen chanting "Allahu Akhbar" is raising fears that outlawed Islamic sect Boko Haram
is making a comeback in the region.

The attacks on the police by motorcycle-riding gunmen took place in the towns of Maiduguri and
Damaturu in Borno and Yobe states respectively. The two cities were the focus of deadly violence
sparked by the sect in July 2009. The prison raid took place in neighbouring Bauchi State, and the
authorities say up to 800 inmates were freed, including Boko Haram sympathisers.

The Nigerian authorities have said the gunmen are suspected to be members of Boko Haram (Hausa for
Western education is a sin). Hausa is the main language of northern Nigeria and most of Sahelian Africa.

The resurgence of the sect, also known as the Nigerian Taleban, is said to be causing anxiety and panic
among the population in the north ahead of a general election in January 2011.

In July 2009, Boko Haram launched a violent uprising, which left hundreds dead and its headquarters in
ruins. Four senior police officers are due to stand trial for allegedly executing the sect leader, Mohammed
Yusuf, during the mayhem.

Boko Haram "resurfacing"

In the latest of the attacks, members of the sect appear to have "resorted to guerrilla warfare as they
waylay and shoot their victims", according to a report published on 26 August by the English-language
Daily Trust website, a privately-owned pro-north daily.

On 7 September, the state-owned NTA TV channel reported that "a large number" of Boko Haram
members "violently invaded" a prison in Bauchi State, where they set free members being held awaiting
trial. Several people, including "a handful of policemen", died in the ensuing gunbattle between security
forces and attackers, French news agency AFP reported on 8 September.
The Bauchi state police commissioner, Danlami Yar'Adua, told AFP that the attack was carried out by
"people believed to be members of Boko Haram in an attempt to free their comrades".

On 5 September, suspected members of the sect killed a retired police officer and wounded five other
people in Maiduguri. The "motorcycle-riding gunmen" opened fire on the victims in three separate
incidents around Maiduguri, said state police commissioner Ibrahim Abdu. (AFP 6 September)

"We had three incidents in Borno State yesterday, which suggests that Boko Haram is on the attack... We
strongly suspect they are responsible for the spate of hit-and-run attacks we have been witnessing in the
last few weeks," said Abdu.

On the night of 25 August, two policemen were shot in Maiduguri and their guns taken by four suspected
members of the sect, who were also riding bikes, while another police officer was killed in Damaturu
(Yobe State) when other gunmen attacked the private residence of state governor Ibrahim Gaidam the
same day. (Daily Trust website 26 August)

Borno police commissioner Abdu told the Daily Trust website that investigations were "pointing to a
particular direction". His Yobe counterpart, Mamman Sule, said the incident at Damaturu was "exactly"
like another that happened months earlier at the home of a former state governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim,
where the attackers killed a policeman and fled.

There is fear that this could be a comeback or revenge by the sect. "As at now, we are yet to ascertain the
actual mission of the attackers even though some people have started giving it political colouration.
Personally, I feel it is a reprisal attack by the remnants of the Boko Haram sect," said Sule. (Daily Trust
website 26 August)

Sule added that two members of the Boko Haram were arrested in Damaturu while downloading some
speeches of the late leader of the sect. "Some of the sect members are resurfacing in town because they
have been discharged and acquitted by courts," he added (Daily Trust website 26 August)

Government reaction

Besides deploying large numbers of security personnel the areas around the Bauchi prison, the
government has also banned the night-time use of motorcycles in Borno State, reported AFP 7 September.
"This is only the beginning... If this strategy doesn't work, we will call for a total ban on motorcycles in
the state," the state police commissioner Abdu said.

The Borno authorities have inaugurated a 12-member committee to regulate the conduct of Islamic
preachers in the area. Governor Ali Sherrif said the move was to avert the occurrence of the 2009 crisis,
stressing that the government had discovered that some preachers "often took advantage" of Ramadan to
incite their followers against the authorities by using derogatory language, reported the privately-owned
Nagarta Radio on 4 September. This Hausa-language station is based in the key northern city of Kaduna,
and is co-owned by former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida.

Governor Sherrif said members of the committee would use their vast knowledge of the Koran and
Islamic texts to "checkmate bad preachers", adding that only scholars who were "duly licensed" by the
board would be allowed to preach in the state.

Anticipating violence during the January 2011 election, the federal government has secured armoured
helicopters from the US, in a move that the federal inspector-general of police, Ogbonna Onovo,
described as "pro-active" (weekly Nigerian Compass Online 4 September).

Media reaction

The Nigerian media have used critical phrases during factual reporting of Boko Haram's members and
activities.

The privately owned Nigerian Tribune Online described sect members on 8 September as "dreaded
Muslim fundamentalists", while a report on 7 September by the state-owned NTV TV channel dismissed
Boko Haram members as "outlawed religion fanatics".

North in "state of panic"

Since late July, the Nigerian media has been reporting that residents in the north fear the resurfacing of
the sect.

On 28 July, NTA TV reported that Maiduguri was "calm and peaceful" after mounting anxiety over a
possible resurgence of hostility by Boko Haram sympathisers.
A commentator on 5 August wrote in the New Nigeria newspaper that the public in northern Nigeria were
"in a state of panic" as Boko Haram was not under any threat of being convicted for killings, "given the
shoddy manner" of their prosecutions. The paper is owned by the federal government and champions the
interests of the north. The commentator continued: "More worrisome to many people, especially victims
of the carnage, is the apparent sympathy those facing trial for involvement with the sect seem to be
enjoying from highly-placed Nigerians. And after a recent judgment to the effect that the police and
Borno State government were ordered to pay money to the family of a suspect killed during the fracas,
Nigerians are beginning to despair in fighting Boko Haram," he wrote.

Another writer on 18 August said on the Lagos-based privately-owned Business Day Online that the 2011
elections could push many northerners towards groups like Boko Haram.

"The north appears increasingly alienated from the government in Abuja, and popular respect for
traditional Islamic institutions may be eroding. Some of the Muslim population has become receptive to
more radical influences, mostly of indigenous origin, as evidenced by the bloody Boko Haram
insurrection in Kano in July 2009, which the Nigerian military suppressed only with difficulty." (Business
Day Online on 18 August)

A man said to be a sect member was reported by AFP as saying that Boko Haram had "gone
underground" and was no longer centred around Maiduguri. The 35-year-old member told the AFP that
sect had "weapons stored in various parts of the country". He added: "We are ordained by Allah to be
prepared and amass weapons in case the enemy attacks."

Four senior police officers have been suspended and are to stand trial for allegedly executing Boko
Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009 (The Source on 23 August).

Police insist that Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, was also killed last year, though a video appeared
recently in which he was shown issuing new threats. Police say it was a digital mock-up. (AFP)

[Description of Source: Caversham BBC Monitoring in English -- Monitoring service of the BBC, the
United Kingdom's public service broadcaster]
Nigerian Authorities Suspect Attackers Had 'Overwhelming Firepower'

AFP20100908678015 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2048 GMT 08 Sep 10

[AFP Headline: "Jail attackers had 'overwhelming firepower': Nigerian"]

ABUJA, Sept 8, 2010 (AFP) - Nigeria's interior minister said Wednesday suspected Islamists who freed
hundreds of inmates in an attack on a prison had "overwhelming firepower" and guards were unable to
stop them.

"Due to the overwhelming firepower which the attackers deployed on their mission, they were easily able
to overcome the stiff resistance which was put up by the gallant prison officers who attempted to block
the progress of the assault on the prison," Emmanuel Ihenacho said.

Suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising last year attacked a prison in Nigeria's
north on Tuesday night, freeing more than 700 inmates and sparking a fierce gun battle with authorities.

The inmates who escaped included alleged members of the extremist group, known as Boko Haram, and
authorities say the attackers' aim was to free them.

A police statement late Wednesday said some 200 "suspected Boko Haram fanatics" armed with machine
guns and homemade bombs were involved in the attack.

Four people were killed and 721 inmates were freed, including 105 suspected sect members, it said.

"During this attack, the administrative block, the armoury and a van were set ablaze," the statement said,
adding 35 inmates had since been re-arrested.

The head of Nigeria's prisons said earlier Wednesday that more than 120 inmates had returned on their
own.
Last year's uprising was put down by a brutal military and police assault, with hundreds eventually killed.

"We also wish to warn any potential troublemakers that the federal government will not fold its arms and
allow the situation to degenerate unchecked," the interior minister said.

"The government has a responsibility to protect the lives and properties of its citizenry and it would not
shirk this responsibility."

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Members of Islamic Sect Broke Bauchi Prison, Release Prisoners

AFP20100908614009 Abuja NTA Television in English 2000 GMT 08 Sep 10

Four people have been confirmed dead in last night Boko Haram attack on Bauchi Prison.

Abubakar Aliyu Wunti reports that among the dead are a soldier and a policeman.

[Begin recording] [Wunti] The state commissioner of police, Danlami Yar’Adua said six people have also
been wounded among them a solider who is receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Teaching Hospital.
He explained that about breaking fast time, group of suspected Boko Haram members attacked the
prisons, broke and freed 105 of their members awaiting trial while 120 other prisoners escaped.

[Yar’Adua] They engaged the soldiers and prison warders in shoot out and released as man y 121 inmates
as well as their members.

In the process one soldier and one policeman was shot dead and another prison warder was wounded and
some civilians were hit by stray bullet.

[Wunti] Governor Isah Yuguda who inspected the prison described the incident as unfortunate promising
more security in the prison.

[Yuguda] It is an unfortunate incident. The government would fortify the security of the prison
henceforth.

[Wunti] He also visited the wounded, hospitalized and wished them quick recovery.

The situation has been brought under control. People are going about their normal businesses while
movement in and out of the state is on without hindrance.

In Bauchi, I am Abubakar Aliyu Wunti. [End recording]

[Description of Source: Abuja NTA Television Abuja in English--state-owned, government-controlled

television]
Nigeria: Police Say Islamic Sect Prison Attack Claimed 5 Lives in Bauchi State

AFP20100909565001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 09 Sep 10

[Report by Ishola Michael and Clement Idoko: "Bauchi: 5 Confirmed Dead After Boko Haram Attack;
759 Inmates Escape From Prison; FG Warns Trouble Makers"]

Five people-a soldier, a policeman, two prison warders and a civilian - have been confirmed dead
following the prison break by members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, while six others are
receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) following
gun shot wounds from stray bullets.

Confirming the attack to newsmen in his office, Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Danlami Yar'Adua,
said that, "as I am talking to you, the attackers killed one soldier, one policeman and two civilians, who
were hit by stray bullets. Two prison warders, two civilians and four others are currently receiving
treatment following the attack."

Meanwhile, Governor Isa Yuguda has described the incident as "most unfortunate and regrettable."

Yuguda, who was the first caller at the prisons, lamented the incident, saying, "all of us were caught
unawares by the attackers because they came at the time nobody was expecting, considering that we are
in the holy month of Ramadan, when all true Muslims are expected to be fasting and not engage in
anything that could lead to the shedding of blood."

The governor further said that, henceforth, adequate security measures would be put in place across the
state in order to ensure safety of life and property of innocent citizens of the state, saying, "government
will prioritise the issue of security in the state to ensure that innocent lives are not lost again as well as to
check the activities of all criminals in the state."

Yuguda lamented that the attackers orchestrated their operation in a commando-like manner, beating
every security arrangement put in place at the prisons and said that anybody found to be involved in the
attacks in whatever manner, no matter his or her status in the society, would be dealt with in accordance
with the laws of the land.
The Commissioner of Police, Danlami Yar'Adua, however, said that from records available, 759 inmates
at the prisons were released, among them 123 Boko-Haram sect members awaiting trial following their
arrest last year, adding also that at the time of the briefing, 10 of them had returned to the prisons on their
own.

Yar'Adua said that his command had commenced investigations, while a number of those who had a hand
in the attack had already been arrested.

While assessing the extent of the damage done to the prison facilities, the Controller-General of Prisons,
Olushola Adigun Ogundipe, who was in Bauchi, described the attack as most unfortunate, saying that it
was a surprise package by the attackers, whom he said overpowered the few armed warders around.

While saying that more security measures would be taken around all the prisons in the country to forestall
future occurrence, the prisons boss said that, "there are a few vulnerable prisons in the country, including
Maiduguri, Gombe and Azare; we have increased the presence of armed security operatives there in order
to ensure that there is no repeat of what happened here at these places.

We are working in conjunction with other security operatives who are really complementing our security
efforts."

The Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, who also reacted to the attack, described it as an
unfortunate happening at a period when Muslims were observing the compulsory fast of the holy month
of Ramadan, as well as barely hours to the celebration of the successful ending of the 30-day fast, calling
on the people of Bauchi to regard it as an act of Allah.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, condemned the resurgence of Boko Haram that
launched a fierce attack on the Bauchi State Central Prisons and freeing about 721 inmates in the melee.

Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, reacting to the development in Abuja at a news
briefing, warned all troublemakers in the country to steer clear, as there would be no hiding place for
anyone that incurred the wrath of the law and breached the peace and security of the nation.

Ihenacho said: "We take this opportu nity to address the Nigerian public, to reassure them that their safety
and security remain paramount to us."
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Reportedly 'Hinted' Police of Plan To Attack Bauchi Prison

AFP20100911581002 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 10 Sep 10

[Report by Ali Garba: "Boko Haram: How Attackers Outwitted Security Agencies; Sect Threatens To
Strike in Jos Soon"]

Had the Nigeria's security agencies taken the threats by members of the Boko Haram sect seriously, the
recent invasion of the Bauchi Prisons and other killings in some parts of the North would have been
averted.

Before the Islamic group launched their attack, The Guardian learnt that its leadership wrote a letter to the
police of its intention. Security personnel, who confirmed this, said they even indicated the time they
would carry out the threat.

According to sources at the Bauchi Prisons, the sect had in a letter and pamphlets, hinted that it would
launch the attack before the end of Ramadan during Sahur (morning prayer) between 4.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

It was learnt that when report got to the sect that security had been fortified at the prisons, it changed the
timing of the strike to evening during the Magrib prayers.

The Guardian also got details of the inmates freed by men of the Islamic sect when they attacked the
Bauchi Prisons last Tuesday.
A breakdown of the figures showed that the group freed 157 male and 17 female inmates in the prison
during the attack. The prison also harboured 123 men and four women, who were already convicted while
there were 130 males and nine females on the awaiting trial list and 140 armed robbery suspects, all men.
The inmates on capital charges were 333 males, two females, two males on life jail term, two males to be
stoned to death, 11 male detainees for amputation; six male lodgers and one male hospital attendant.

The sources said the extremist group "sent several letters, warning security agencies and the Bauchi State
government of their intention that their members would not celebrate the Eid-el Fitr (Sallah) in prison.
We thought it was a joke but now the reality has dawned on us."

A senior prison official said: "When we got the letters, action was taken. It led to the drafting of armed
mobile policemen to guard the prison. There was a daily security report to the prisons' authorities at 12
mid night."

He lamented that "what happened last Tuesday was unfortunate because according to reports, the Boko
Haram were set to attack the prison during Sahur in the morning between 4: 30 a.m. and 5 p.m. but they
were informed by their own informants that their secrets had been revealed to the appropriate authorities
and heavy security measures had been taken to deter them from carrying out their mission, they changed
the time of the attack from morning to evening during the Magrib prayers."

In the pamphlets, written in Hausa, which they left behind, the sect explained that its name is not Boko
Haram but Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Liddaawati Wal Jihad.

The members commiserated with the Moslem community in Jos, Plateau State capital over the recent
crises, saying that for the past eight years they had been preaching peacefully until the present
government attacked them.

"When we were praying our morning prayers they killed a number of people they wanted to kill, so, we
will continue to fight this government because it is obligatory. Whoever does not want to participate,
Allah will question him. If you cannot participate, close your mouth," they warned Moslems.

They also warned in the pamphlets that whoever had a hand in punishing their members would not go
free, adding "if you want your wife, children to become widows and orphans, get ready and we will not
forget the way our members were killed in Dutsen Tanshi Police Station and Yankari Park. Whoever had
a hand in the killing of our members from the state governor down to district and ward heads, we have not
forgotten and you will see what it will look like in the future."
The fundamentalists also said they are fighting to bring back the full implementation of Sharia law,
freedom of Moslems and takeover of power from Christians, adding that Plateau State capital, Jos will
soon be attacked for the killing of its members.

The Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Bauchi, Ali Akida said the gunmen broke 29 cells of the prison,
which accommodated 765 inmates, of which 732 escaped.

He explained that the suspected members of the Boko Haram targeted the hour when Moslems were
breaking the fast while some were still observing their Magrib prayers at the Central Mosque, opposite
the prison.

Akida said the invaders attacked the main gate of the prison yard, noting that they came with a power
generating set and a cylinder, which they used to break the main gate.

"The members of the sect came at 6:35 p.m. and joined the sunset prayers at Bauchi Central Mosque.
After the prayers, they blocked the Tina Junction and all the roads leading to the prison yard and opened
fire.

"They killed one mobile policeman on the spot and badly injured six of our wardens on duty," he added.

Akida further said the attackers overpowered prison officials and forced themselves into the yard to
accomplish their mission.

The prison boss explained that the marauders carried various weapons including AK 47 rifles, cutlasses
and sharp knives and broke into the prison cells to free 173 of their members awaiting trial, adding that
about 127 inmates that escaped for fear of their lives, had returned on their own.

"Three of our officials were shot and are responding to treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
University Teaching Hospital (ATBU). We recovered empty shells of bullets, cylinders used to light up
locally made bombs and weapons used by the sect members to break the cells and the prison gate," he
said.

The state Police Commissioner, Danlami Yar'Adua, at a press conference, said the attackers took the
command unawares. He, however, said the police had arrested 11 suspected members of the group and
over 20 inmates, who escaped from the prison during the attack.
Governor Isa Yuguda, who visited the prison to access the level of damage said: "All of us were caught
unawares by the attackers because they came at the time no body expected it, considering that we are in
the month of Ramadan when true Moslems are fasting and not to engaging in anything that will lead to
bloodshed."

According to him, "henceforth, adequate security measures will be put in place across the state in order to
ensure safety of life and property of innocent citizens of the state. Government will give priority to
security issues in the state to ensure that innocent people are not lost again as well as to check the
activities of all criminals in the state."

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Police Reportedly Arrest 2 Islamic Sect Suspects in Plateau State

AFP20100912581011 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 11 Sep 10

[Report by Isa Abdulsalami and Njadvara Musa: "STF Arrests Two Boko Haram Suspects, As Police Ban
Religious Processions"]

The Special (Military) Task Force (STF) in Jos, Plateau State, has arrested two Boko Haram suspects,
who escaped from Bauchi Prisons and took refuge in Jos. This is coming as the Police in Yobe State have
imposed a ban on religious processions to prevent the sect from using the festive period as opportunity to
perpetrate mayhem.

Spokesman of the STF, Lt-Col. Kingsley Umoh, paraded the suspects, Ahmed Adamu and Yusuf Daniel,
before journalists around 6:20pm on Friday.
Umoh explained that men of the STF arrested the suspects, following a tip-off. The suspects claimed to be
from Darazo Local Government council of Bauchi State, and all admitted to having been released by
Boko Haram members at Bauchi prison on Tuesday, September 7.

Umoh, while appreciating the effort of the people of the state, urged them to report any suspicious
movement to appropriate authorities. He also urged them to continue to give useful information to
security agencies.

The suspects have since been handed over to the police for further investigation.

In Yobe State, the Police have imposed a ban on all religious processions, during and after Sallah
celebration, in order to ensure a peaceful celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, Police Commissioner, Mamman Sule, said the ban on
processions is inevitable in order to protect lives and properties. He said, besides the ban, the Police are
providing security at all the praying grounds in the state.

"We don't want to take chances. More of our officers and men have been deployed to strategic locations
across the state for close surveillance and monitoring of the movement and hideouts of the armed sect
members in the state and border areas with Borno, Gombe, Bauchi and Jigawa states," he said.

Prior to the ban, two policemen, attached to the private residences of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and
Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, were shot and killed by suspected sect members in the months of March
and August.

Meanwhile, Gaidam has appealed to traditional and religious leaders and the Muslim community to
emulate the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed, by eschewing violence and religious intolerance.

Gaidam made the call on Friday, in a radio and television broadcast to residents of the state.

He said the administration would continue to ensure there is security in the state.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]
Nigerian Police Arrest 10 Boko Haram Suspects

FEA20100914009300 - OSC Feature - AFP (World Service) 1612 GMT 14 Sep 10

["Nigeria Police Arrest 10 Radical Sect Members" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Sept 14, 2010 (AFP) - Ten people suspected of belonging to the radical Islamist sect
Boko Haram have been arrested in northern Nigeria in recent days, a regional police chief said Tuesday.

Seven of them are suspected to be behind a spate of murders targeting policemen and three are among the
hundreds of inmates that escaped when suspected Islamists attacked a jail last week.

"We arrested seven suspected members of Boko Haram that we think were involved in hit-and-run
killings of policemen in the city in the last few weeks," Ibrahim Abdu told AFP in a phone interview from
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

"Similarly our men were able to arrest three members of Boko Haram that escaped from Bauchi prison
last week following an attack by their comrades," he said.

More than 700 prisoners, including around 100 alleged sect members, were freed in a daring attack staged
last Tuesday by suspected Boko Haram on Bauchi state prison in northern Nigeria.

The Islamist sect last year launched an uprising in and around Borno's capital Maiduguri before it was put
down by a brutal military and police assault.

At least nine people including police personnel have been slain by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Nigeria's
north -- mostly in Maiduguri in recent weeks.
Abdu said the seven were suspected members of the sect arrested after last year's assault but later freed in
the absence of tangible evidence.

"We believe the seven suspects were among members of the sect that were discharged and acquitted by
the courts for lack of evidence to link them with last year's riots," he said.

The sect, also known as the Nigerian Taliban, had fought for the creation of an Islamic state in Nigeria,
whose 150 million population is divided roughly in half between Christians and Muslims.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Borno State Police Arrest 10 Suspected Members of Islamic Sect

AFP20100915565001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 15 Sep 10

[Report by James Bwala: "10 Boko Haram Suspects Arrested in Borno"]

Following the jailbreak in Bauchi and the release of over 700 inmates by members of the Boko Haram
sect, the police in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital have arrested 10 suspected members of the sect,
who were said to have allegedly attacked and killed nine policemen and ward heads in Maiduguri and
Bama in Borno State.

Even though the suspects were not found with any arms and ammunition, one Jidda, who is still at large,
was said to have been involved in the production of local arms and ammunition for the Boko Haram sect
members.
The state Commissioner of police, Ibrahim Abudu, in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, at the
police headquarters, disclosed that the 10 suspects were picked up and arrested at the weekend in Gomari,
Gwange, Limanti and Bulunkutu wards of the Maiduguri metropolis.

He said that all the suspects confessed to the police that they actively participated in the attacks and
killings of policemen and ward heads in the had Maiduguri metropolis.

On the arrest of two inmates who escaped from the Bauchi prison, he said: "The joint police and military
task force on security, Operation Flush II was on routine stop and search in Maiduguri, when the two
Boko Haram suspects were picked up last Sunday, four days after they escaped from the Bauchi prison."

He said with the restrictions on the move ment of motorcyclists from 6pm-7am in the state, the police
intensified the 'stop and search of all vehicles and motorcycles at strategic locations in Maiduguri, the
Borno state capital.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: 283 Escapees From Bauchi Prison Return

AFP20100918606009 Kaduna New Nigeria in English 16 Sep 10 p 2

[Report by Rabiu Sambo: "Bauchi Prison Break: 283 Escapees Return"]

About 283 prison inmates that escaped from the jail break alleged to be initiated by the suspected Boko
Haram members in Bauchi have returned to the prison to continue their various sentences.

This was revealed by the Comptroller of the prison, Muhammad Ahmad in an interview with newsmen in
Bauchi yesterday. Some of the returnees were those that have nearly completed their terms and those
rated as good behaved.

Meanwhile the Bauchi state governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda has directed security agencies in the state to
commence a house-to-house manhunt of all suspected Boko Haram members. Yuguda, who gave the
directive in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi, said the exercise would continue until all suspected
members of the Boko Haram sect are fished out and arrested.

He said members of the Boko Haram sect who killed and maimed innocent citizens without any moral
justification for doing so, will be punished for their sinful acts and that this time around they will not
escape.

"We are embarking on this exercise because the members of this sect must be brought to justice. We
cannot fold our arms and allow these people continue to disrupt the peace of the state. We want issues
regarding crisis to cease in this state and if they say we will know no peace, they too will not experience
peace," the governor said. The governor also gave the assurance that the recent unfortunate invasion of
Bauchi prison by the sect members would never repeat itself in the state, adding that the recent episode
took everybody unawares. He appealed to the federal government to assist the state in its determination to
flush out all suspected Boko Haram members residing in and outside the state, stressing that it is the
responsibility of the government to provide security of lives and property.

[Description of Source: Kaduna New Nigerian in English -- Federal government-owned, pro-government

daily championing Hausa and northern Nigeria interests]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Threatens to Attack Jos

AFP20100923606007 Lagos Guardian in English 23 Sep 10 p 8

[Editorial Report: "The Boko Haram jail-break in Bauchi"]

Barely a year after the self-styled Islamic fundamentalist Boko Haram sect unleashed mayhem that
engulfed Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, and Kano states leaving over 10,000 people dead and properties worth
millions destroyed, the group again recently organized another heinous assault at the Bauchi Central
Prison where about 700 inmates were forcefully released. Bauchi has become the hotbed of Boko Haram
criminality, and yet no lessons have been learnt from this or previous incidents.

As was the case in the past, the security agencies were caught unawares even when the attack had been
announced by the insurgents with specific details about their target and motives. The Police, the State
Security Services, and the prison authorities were completely overwhelmed as the Boko Haram took over
the Bauchi prison. More than a week later, the authorities have not been able to unravel the Boko Haram
mystery. How could the police ignore Boko Haram’s threat?

The incident once again underscores the failure of state security which has heightened criminality and
impunity in the country. The Boko Haram leadership, a group of fanatics who believe that "Western
education is evil," reportedly wrote to the police informing them of the plan to attack the Bauchi prison.
They also circulated pamphlets publicly to this effect. The group indicated the exact time of attack to be
the end of Ramadan during Sahur at 4.30 am. or 5 pm. Their aim was to release their detained members
who were arrested during last year’s mayhem. With such critical information, the police should have
mobilized its men to nip the attack in the bud.

But, sadly enough, the preemptive warning was ignored and instead the police acted as if nothing was
amiss. Curiously, the police relaxed and joined civilians in the evening Ramadan prayer observances. A
conscientious and proactive security organization would have acted on the warning and tracked down the
perpetrators. The attack was a clear affront on the security agencies and a slap on the face of the
authorities. The state governor and the Emir of Bauchi should also have collaborated with the police as
much as possible to prevent the attack.

Armed with AK 47 rifles, the hoodlums took advantage of the Ramadan sunset prayers when attention
was directed to religious activities. They struck at 6.35 pm, an hour behind their pre-announced schedule,
probably fully aware that all security operatives would be on recess at the time. The strategy worked
perfectly. It is pertinent to ask if there is any occasion when the security agencies are allowed to literally
disarm and join the rest of the citizenry in whatever social or religious observances? Otherwise, it is
alarming and strange for the police to have acted in such unprofessional manner thereby exposing lives
and property to danger.

Security is a sensitive undertaking. If it is known that there exists a time when the entire security outfit of
the country is on recess, the enemy could capitalize on that to wreck havoc. And that was what happened
in Bauchi. According to the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Bauchi, Ali Akida, the attackers broke into 29
cells housing 765 inmates out of which 732 escaped. About 127 of the inmates who fled have reportedly
returned voluntarily. One mobile police officer was killed while six others were injured. Three prison
wardens were also shot.

As if that wasn’t enough, the sect has issued another threat of an imminent strike in Jos, Plateau State,
which has witnessed a series of unrest in recent times. Since the Boko Haram is not known to issue empty
threats, the security agencies shouldn’t fold their arms and assume that the group is joking. The threat
should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.

Boko Haram, which has been in existence since 2004 obviously has a large followership with highly
placed patrons. Its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in Maiduguri in the heat of the previous
uprising, preached a strange form of Islamic doctrine that strictly forbids Western education and values.
What is happening is akin to a youth revolt against the system.

Boko Haram is growing in a fertile environment of religious fanaticism and youth disenchantment which
is an indictment of the country’s leadership. The Boko Haram problem is not being seriously addressed,
so it remains a potential source of great danger. The newly appointed Director General of the State
Security Services [SSS] and the Inspector General of Police must see this as a major challenge which
deserves to be treated as a matter of urgent priority in the public interest.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian in English - independent daily]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Strikes Again, Kill Two in Borno

AFP20100924606003 Lagos Daily Independent in English 13 Sep 10 p 8

[Report by Unnamed Reporter: "Boko Haram Militants Strike Again"]

Islamists suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect have struck again in Maiduguri. They
reportedly killed two people, one of them a local chief, yesterday. A police source said the latest attack by
the gunmen on motorbikes must have been carried out by the sect that launched an uprising last year. The
killings occurred in an area of the city of Maiduguri where the sect had its headquarters before a brutal
assault put down the uprising and destroyed the enclave last year, the officer said on condition of
anonymity.

"Two people were killed in the Gwaidomari neighborhood, and one of them turned out to be a local
chief," the officer said. From eyewitness accounts, the modus operandi of the attackers was similar to that
applied in previous attacks. The fact that the assailants came on a motorbike, opened fire on their victims
and sped away gives rise to some suspicion that the attackers were Boko Haram members." A series of
such attacks have occurred in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north in recent months, with authorities saying
they suspected the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sin" in local
Hausa dialect.

Suspected sect members also used machine guns and homemade bombs to attack a prison in Bauchi this
month, freeing more than 700 prisoners. Around 100 alleged Boko Haram members were among those
who escaped. Last year’s uprising began with attacks on police posts, and police have been among the
victims of the recent killings by motorcycle-riding gunmen in northern Nigeria. The attacks come ahead
of presidential elections next year and have been an ominous sign in a country where ballots have often
been tainted by violence.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Independent in English -- Privately owned independent daily]
Suspected Islamists Kill Senior Politician in Northern Nigeria

AFP20101007648008 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1100 GMT 07 Oct 10

["Islamists suspected in deadly north Nigeria attacks: source" - AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Oct 7, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected Islamists have killed a senior political figure and attacked
the home of a top politician in Nigeria's north, the latest in a wave of such attacks, police and party
officials said Thursday.

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect gained access to the home of a national vice
chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Maiduguri and killed him, a party spokesman said.

Awana Ali Ngala was gunned down Wednesday evening, the party's national spokesman Emmanuel
Eneukwu told AFP.

"He was shot in his house, in his living room," said Eneukwu, adding that party officials in Maiduguri
"suspect that the people that shot him were Boko Haram."

Police confirmed the killing.

"Awana Ali Ngala was killed by unknown assailants who gained access into his living room and shot him
dead," a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The ANPP is the ruling party in Borno state, where Maiduguri is located, but an opposition party
nationally. A high-ranking party member also confirmed the killing of Ngala, who was vice chairman
representing the northeast region.

According to party officials, the gunmen arrived on motorbikes.

Motorcycle-riding gunmen have carried out a number of attacks in the region in recent months, and
authorities have blamed Boko Haram, which launched an uprising last year.

Eneukwu said: "I'm thinking it was perpetrated by Boko Haram, the religious sect that is on the rampage,
I wouldn't suspect political motive."

Before slaying Ngala, the gunmen had attacked the home of Ali Modu, the speaker of the Borno state
House of Assembly in a suburb of Maiduguri and killed a security guard, the police officer and Eneukwu
said.

"A police security guard attached to the house was shot and killed by two motorcycle-riding attackers
believed to be members of Boko Haram," he said.

"They took away his rifle and fired shots in the air to scare residents of the neighbourhood before
fleeing."

The officer said political motives had not been ruled out in the attacks, but Boko Haram members were
"the most probable culprits."

Suspected sect members also used machine guns and homemade bombs to attack a prison in northern
Nigeria last month, freeing more than 700 prisoners. Around 100 alleged Boko Haram members were
among those who escaped.

Last year's uprising was crushed by a brutal military and police assault, with hundreds left dead.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigerian Talibans Kill Four in Northern State of Borno

AFP20101007646001 Abuja Leadership Online in English 07 Oct 10

[Unattributed report:"Boko Haram Strikes Again, Kill Gov Sheriff's In-law, 3 Others"]

Gun totting members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect yesterday evening in Maiduguri, the Borno State
capital went wild in a killing spree leaving four dead in the wake of deadly strikes.

They first struck at the residence of Alhaji Awan Ngala, an in-law of the state governor Ali Modu
Sheriff, shooting him dead, LEADERSHIP gathered. Late Ngala was married to the sister of the
governor.

Soon after killing Ngala who was a one time chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in cold
blood, they moved to the residence of the Speaker of Borno House of Assembly with clear intent to
similarly murder him but luckily, he was not at home. That did not stop the members from shooting dead
the two police guards on duty.

From there, they moved to Tashar Kano and descended on the residence of a man whose identity was yet
to be established who they also murdered before setting the house ablaze.

Members of Boko Haram have had a running battle with the state since last year July, when they first
struck. It led to a brutal gun battle with police and the army before they were contained. Their leader,
Mohammed Yusuf was killed in controversial circumstances while in the custody of the police.

Last month they struck at a prison in Bauchi in a daring move to free their members imprisoned for over a
year. They set free hundreds of inmates some of whom voluntarily returned.

[Description of Source: Abuja Leadership Online in English -- Website of the privately owned daily;
URL: http://www.leadershipnigeria.com]
Nigeria: Islamic Sect Inmates Reportedly Set on Fire Parts of Bauchi Prison

AFP20101008565012 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 08 Oct 10

[Report by Ishola Michael: "Boko Haram Members Set Bauchi Prison Ablaze"]

Barely one month after the Bauchi jail break by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which led to
the escape of 157 members of the sect awaiting trial, returnee members of the sect, on Thursday, set some
parts of the prison on fire, in protest.

An inside source disclosed that the Boko Haram members set the school building within the prisons, as
well as the store, on fire at about 5.30bp.m to press home their displeasure over the amnesty and release
of two of their members by the state governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

The source, one of the wardens on duty at the time of the incident, said unlike during the jail break, the
Boko Haram militants were not so violent, as they only set the structures on fire but did not try to escape
from the prison.

He said no casualty was recorded at the time of filing this report, while he assured that the situation was
under control.

The protesting Boko-Haram members were among those that willingly returned to the prison after they
were forcefully released last month and were said to be expecting that amnesty gesture would be extended
to them after renouncing their membership of the sect.
Members of the state fire service were at hand to put the fire under control, while armed security
personnel comprising the military, mobile policemen and other security agents, were on duty, blocking
roads that led to the prison area.

While reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs and
Mobilisation, Mohammed Kundak, described the situation as most unfortunate, saying that it was a
protest by some of the prisoners who had expected that the amnesty move would be extended to them.

All efforts to get the state police command to comment on the situation proved abortive, as the mobile
phone of the state Commissioner of Police, Danlami Yar'Adua, was switched off, while calls put through
to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mohammed Barau, was not answered.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Two Unidentified Gunmen Shoot Dead Anti Islamist Iman in of Maiduguri

AFP20101009642001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1253 GMT 09 Oct 10

["Suspected Islamists kill outspoken Nigerian cleric" AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Oct 9, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected radical Islamists on Saturday shot dead an outspoken
cleric in the latest of a series of killings in Nigeria blamed on a sect that staged a bloody uprising last
year, police said.

Two gunmen on a motorcycle shot dead Bashir Kashara outside his house in the heart of Maiduguri city,
a high-ranking police officer told AFP.
"We received the report of the killing of Bashir Kashara, a renowned cleric in the city by yet to be
identified gunmen outside his home this morning," said the officer, asking not to be identified because he
was not cleared to speak to the media.

"Investigations have commenced, but from the modus operandi of the attack, the most likely suspects is
the Boko Haram," he said.

Boko Haram, self-styled Taliban, launched an insurrection in Maiduguri in northern Nigeria last year.

Kashara, a well-known wahabi cleric in Maiduguri, ran a weekly Islamic programme on Borno state-run
radio in which he criticised Boko Haram's ideologies, especially one that tags Western education as a sin.

Boko Haram means "Western education is a sin" in the local Hausa dialect.

"We had gun shots and everybody panicked and looked for cover, moments later news filtered across the
neighbourhood that Kashara had been killed," said resident Adamu Dahiru.

"The fact that he has been the most outspoken critic of Boko Haram among all the clerics in the city
makes everybody suspect that Boko Haram were behind the killing," added Dahiru.

Last year's uprising began with attacks on police posts, and police have been among the victims of recent
killings by motorcycle-riding gunmen in northern Nigeria. A top politician was killed this week by a
suspected Boko Haram gang.

The attacks come ahead of presidential elections early next year and have been an ominous sign in a
country where ballots have often been tainted by violence.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill Cleric in Borno State

AFP20101010565004 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 09 Oct 10

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Boko Haram Gunmen Kill Islamic Cleric, Aide"]

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen, yesterday, attacked and killed an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bashir Mustapha
at Gwange ward.

Six armed suspects, who came on a motorcycle and in a taxi, stormed the cleric's residence at about 10am.

His personal assistant, Modu Sunoma, was shot several times in the chest at close range. The attackers
also killed a council chief in Bama on Thursday, after they assassinated Awana Ali Ngala, Vice Chairman
of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) at his Simari ward residence in Maiduguri metropolis.

The Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdu, in an interview said: "Yes, it is true that suspected Boko Haram
gunmen have spread their heinous criminal acts to Bama, and killed a senior staff of Bama council after
they attacked the Speaker's residence last Thursday, and shot two of our security personnel at close range,
before reaching Awana Ngala's residence at 8pm."

He said: "Saturday's attacks and killings, however, took a different dimension, because one of the
renowned Islamic cleric, Shiekh Mustapha, was attacked and killed."

It was learnt that the slain Shiekh had been very critical of the activities of the sect.

The sect, last month, issued an unsigned statement in the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) that its targets are the governor of Borno State, Ali Sheriff, policemen and traditional
and religious leaders in the state.
[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamists Attack, Torch Police Station in Maiduguri

AFP20101012678020 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1132 GMT 12 Oct 10

[AFP Headline: "Suspected Islamists attack, torch police station in Nigeria"]

KANO, Nigeria, Oct 12, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising
last year have attacked and torched a police station in northern Nigeria, police said on Tuesday.

"There was an overnight attack on Gamboru police station by unknown gunmen which resulted in the
burning down of the police station," a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The station is Maiduguri, the city at the centre of last year's uprising.

"Two policemen have been injured in the shootout and are receiving treatment in hospital. The
whereabouts of two others are still unkown."

The source added that "they used homemade grenades to burn down the police station" and that the
Islamist sect, known as Boko Haram, was suspected.

National police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said he had been told of the attack and that explosives had
been used.
Asked whether the Islamist sect was involved, he said, "that is suspected, but we are not limiting it to
them."

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Police Say Suspected Islamists Kill Guard at Official's Home in North

AFP20101014309004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0640 GMT 14 Oct 10

["Gunmen kill officer at Nigerian official's home: police" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Oct 14, 2010 (AFP) - Motorcycle-riding gunmen have killed a police officer guarding a
state official's house in northern Nigeria, police said Thursday, with a wave of such shootings blamed on
an Islamist sect.

The shooting on Wednesday night occurred in the city of Bauchi, where suspected Islamists from the
Boko Haram sect attacked a prison last month and freed more than 700 inmates.

"There was an attack on the residence of the commissioner for special duties, where a police security
attached to the house was killed," state police commissioner Danlami Yar'Adua said.

"The gunmen arrived on a motorbike and opened fire outside the house, killing the policeman, and sped
away."
He declined to say whether Boko Haram members were suspected in the attack outside the home of Musa
Muazu Badara, adding the investigation was ongoing.

A commissioner is the equivalent of a minister on the state level in Nigeria. Special duties commissioners
handle a variety of tasks at the governor's discretion.

One witness who said he was at the mosque next to the house, Halilu Dauda, told AFP by phone that he
heard four gunshots and saw two officers on the ground when he went outside.

A wave of such killings and other attacks in Nigeria's north in recent months have raised alarm over the
sect, which launched an uprising last year crushed by a brutal assault that left hundreds dead.

Troops deployed in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri this week after a series of attacks blamed on
Boko Haram. On Monday, suspected sect members attacked and torched a police station in the city.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Army Deploys Troops to Borno State To Contain Attacks by Islamic Sect

AFP20101015598001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 14 Oct 10

[Report by Isa Umar Gusau, Sharafa Dauda and Yahaya Ibrahim: "Army Deploys Troops, Tanks to
Maiduguri; Boko Haram Planted BombsPolice"]
The Nigerian Army headquarters has ordered the deployment of troops and armoured tanks to Maiduguri
to contain recent attacks by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

Our correspondent learnt from military sources yesterday that 95 soldiers had already been deployed from
the 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment, both in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

Three armoured tanks called 'Scorpions' have been deployed to the Giwa barracks to be on stand-by for
any eventualities, it was learnt. The source said the Army Headquarters ordered that the soldiers also
remain in the same barracks because President Goodluck Jonathan was yet to give orders for troops to
take over operations.

Meanwhile, the police said it had recovered un-detonated bombs in three different locations in Maiduguri
suspected to have been planted by members of the Boko Haram sect, Assistant Inspector General of
Police (AIG) Zone 12, Mohammed Hadi Zarewa has said.

The police chief disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the security situation in Borno State.
He also said there was an explosion close to the Monday Market in the metropolis without injuries.

Zarewa noted that three un-detonated bombs where discovered around the new prison, El-Kanemi area
near the popular Monday market and around the Gamboru police post that was burnt by members of the
sect on Monday.

The AIG said 400 mobile policemen had so far been deployed to the state to protect lives and property.

On the attacked police station, he said the place was a police outpost that was upgraded illegally to a
Divisional Police Station by a former commissioner of police in the state but was reverted by the present
commissioner.

Zarewa called on members of the public to cooperate with the police in information gathering, saying
everyone is a stakeholder in security business.

"Information gathering is a tedious task. And since the criminals are living in the midst of the people, it is
the responsibility of all to provide information and not to double-deal in the process. If they are not free
with the police, they can go to the traditional leaders," he added.
He also called on parents to monitor their children in order to ascertain the kind of associations they
belong to or religious teachings they are receiving. He added that people should feel free and bear the
inconveniences of the stop and search operation.

The AIG said so far, the police had lost five of its men, six civilians and four AK 47 rifles since July
when the sect members launched fresh attacks.

Our correspondents report that there was no visible breach of peace so far in any part of the state since
Tuesday and public activities have remained normal even though intense stop and search continued.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]

Nigeria: Article Highlights Islamic Sect's Increasing Influence in Borno State

AFP20101016565011 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 15 Oct 10

[Article by Isa Umar Gusau, Sharafa Dauda, Yahaya Ibrahim and Ahmed Mohammed: "Maiduguri:
Soldiers, Police in Place, Boko Haram 'In Command' - Gunmen Kill Two Policemen in Bauchi"]

Over the past two months, it appears the Boko Haram sect is rearing its head again. From widely-
speculated assassinations perpetrated by the group to the more recent bombing of a police station in
Maiduguri, all pointing to an apparent full-on war with the police.

In different parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, armed soldiers and mobile policemen have been
deployed, carrying out stop-and-search routines, looking combat-ready, strategically spread. The security
men seem helpless because they rely on information from residents who may or may not have clues on
suspected members of the Boko Haram sect. Unfortunately, the sect members are in charge - no one can
dare tip the security men for fear of being killed. Even top government officials now lie low. So palpable
is the apprehension that when the National Vice Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)
Alhaji Awana Ngala was killed recently, virtually no personality in the ANPP-ruled state government was
seen on camera even on local television stations speaking on Ngala's death. Not even spokesmen of the
government risked speaking against the sect.

Ward heads seen as custodians of information of residents in their areas are also on the run because some
of them have been killed. Some Islamic clerics are also on the run because they fear they may be killed
for not supporting the ideology of the sect. Only the state governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and heads of
security formations, the police in particular, openly speak on the sect, perhaps because the sect has since
declared both as their prime targets.

Most recent attack

The bombing of a police divisional headquarters at Gamboru in old Maiduguri at about 9pm on Monday,
September 11, 2010 by suspected members of the sect in spite of heavy security presence, has no doubt
heightened the fear of residents and strengthened the grip of the sect members at least since they have
silenced every one. Police, however, said the station is an outpost, which was upgraded illegally to a
Divisional Police Station by a former commissioner of police in the state.

At the Gomboru police station, the attackers fired sporadic shots through the metal entrance gate, forced
their way into the outpost and used bombs to set it ablaze. A police inspector was shot and injured in the
operation while two other police officers were injured. There was also a foiled attack at the Maiduguri
New Prisons, where a prison warden was injured. The police, speaking through the AIG, Zone 12
Mohammed Hadi Zarewa, who has now 'relocated' to the state from his Bauchi base, at a briefing on
Thursday said the serial attacks, are by suspected men of the Boko Haram sect. He said his men have also
recovered a bomb at a place near the New Prisons while another explosion occurred around the Monday
market without injuries; all suspected to have been planted by members of the sect, meaning that again,
the sect had beaten security by successfully planting explosives.

Then yesterday in Bauchi, gunmen killed two policemen manning a checkpoint in the latest in a wave of
shootings. The attack led authorities to announce that they were banning the night-time use of
motorcycles in the city of Bauchi, where the shootings occurred, "as a result of the activities of gunmen
suspected to be Boko Haram." Officials gave few details of the Thursday night attack in the working class
area of Kofar Gombe. Last month, suspected Boko Haram extremists attacked a prison in Bauchi and
freed more than 700 inmates, while on Wednesday suspected sect members killed a police officer
guarding a state official's house in the city.

Preceding these latest attacks, were serial killings by motorcycle-riding snipers, who trailed and killed six
police officers, some at their homes and duty posts. The snipers also killed eight civilians, among them,
Awana Ngala, the ANPP national executive, an Islamic scholar and a ward head. Scores were also injured
in the attacks that were sometimes carried out in the day.
These surpasses polic e counter operations because intensified search and security checks were adopted
by police since July, 2010 following a purportedly planned one-year anniversary of the death of the sect's
leader, Mohammed Yusuf and the emergence of a video clip claiming that Abubakar Shekau, then
second-in-command to late Yusuf, is alive contrary to claims of police that he was killed in the July, 2009
crises in Maiduguri when the sect and security officials clashed.

Ten suspected members of the sect were arrested early September 2010, out of which seven were re-
arrested within the metropolis after they had been granted bail by the courts. They were arraigned. Police
said the other three suspects were among the 123 members of the sect who escaped from the Bauchi
prisons after the jailbreak early the same month.

Did Shekau make good his threat?

In July 2010, the Borno State Police Command said it was aware of speculated plans by some members of
the sect to mark one year since their leader, Malam Muhammad Yusuf was killed on July 30, 2009. The
state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdu had also said his command had deployed intelligence
officers to various communities.

A traditional ruler in the state (name withheld) had on Monday, June 28, 2010 summoned district heads
and representatives of local government areas to a security meeting during which the speculated
anniversary of the late Boko Haram leader topped discussions. The meeting resolved that district and
ward heads should ensure that any suspected member of the sect seen should be reported to constituted
authority while identified mosques were to be monitored to ensure that only Muslims without links to the
sect were allowed to worship.

In July, 2010 a video clip reported on the media, shows Malam Abubakar Shekau granting an interview to
a journalist, confirming that he is not dead as claimed by police. In the video which was obtained in
Abuja, Shekau said he has assumed command of the group and would continue to propagate its anti-
Western education ideology. When contacted however, the police insisted that Shekau is dead. The state
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Abdu told our reporter that information available to the police indicated
that both leaders of the sect--Yusuf and Shekau--have been killed. "I have not seen the clip and I cannot
comment on what I have not seen. But to the best of my knowledge, Shekau and Mohammed Yusuf are
dead. If anybody can identify them and tell us their location, we are ready to act. But to us they are dead,"
Abdu said.

Shekau's claim of marrying late Yusuf's widow

Shekau had in the aforementioned video clip claimed he was about getting married to Baa Hajja, one of
the four widows left behind by Yusuf and whose father, Ba Fugu Mohammed was killed at the age of 72
over suspicion that he aided the activities of the group by giving them his house which served as the sect's
enclave, our correspondent had in July, 2010 learnt from the widow's eldest brother and leader of the
Fugu family that Baa Hajja has left Maiduguri and crossed into the neighbouring Chad about some two
months ago.

Babakura Alhaji Fugu, a 40-year-old teacher, had told Weekly Trust that before her departure, the widow
who was residing in old Maiduguri said she was in contact with someone in Chad who promised to take
care of her and her seven children and she thereafter moved and that she didn't disclose the helper's
identity. Asked if the widow has any relation or was used to going to Chad, the brother said, she has no
relation and he doesn't think she was there before her recent visit. Babakura however said that the widow
never mentioned anything like marriage to the family. He said he doubts if she is married to Shekau.

Sheriff's seeks FG's intervention

Probably as a sign that the attackers have defied all security measures introduced by the state government,
Governor Ali Modu Sheriff last week requested for federal government intervention. In response, the
army he adquarters ordered the deployment of three 'scorpion' armoured tanks and troops to contain the
attacks.

Already, 95 soldiers from the 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment in Biu LGA of Borno are on
ground but yet to be rolled out on the streets because President Goodluck Jonathan had not ordered the
army to take over operations. Inside military sources say many more troops could be on the way. The
police AIG also said that 400 mobile policemen were deployed to Borno following the killings.

Before the July, 2009 crisis, it was clear that the Borno government underrated the capacity of the sect
members. Giving their level of resistance during the last year's episode, when they controlled territories
for days keeping before they were only conquered after federal troops were deployed, appeared to have
made Sheriff to regard the recent resurgence as a major threat. Then the Borno state government recently
announced a reward of N500,00 (five hundred thousand naira) for any information that could assist in
tracking down sect members while the police and army have also announced phone numbers through
which information can be passed to them anonymously.

Suspect sect members speak to press, counter ransom enticement

But suspected members of the sect recently on the BBC Hausa service broadcast monitored in Maiduguri
declared their grudges, including a threat to the lives of 'would-be-informants.' In their declaration, they
said their demand was for Governor Ali Sheriff to vacate office because they hold his government
responsible for violating their rights.
In the latest twin broadcasts on the BBC and VOA Hausa services (in Maiduguri), they have also stated
five demands, which must be met before cessation of hostilities. They said they want the release of 195 of
their detained members, the return of all exiled sect members, unconditional release of the seized
mosques, and the liberty to practice Islam based on their ideology like any other citizen of the country, in
addition to transparent and accountable leadership in governance.

The unidentified spokesman of the sect also claimed responsibility for the serial attacks and killings,
including the recent bombing of Gamboru police station last Tuesday and added that they are responsible
for all the incidents in Borno and neighbouring states of Bauchi, Yobe, Kano and Jigawa states. But he
said they also deserve to be given amnesty. "We deserve similar treatments accorded to Niger-Delta
militants by late president Umaru Musa Yar'adua, rather than being treated like second class citizens of
Nigeria," he argued. Meanwhile, citizens of Borno State and other affected states - including Nigeria as a
whole - wait for an end to the violent drama with bated breath.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]

Islamic sect 'rearing its head again' in northern Nigeria

AFP20101019302001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 15 Oct 10

Islamic sect "rearing its head again" in northern Nigeria

Text of report by Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust website on 15 October

[Article by Isa Umar Gusau, Sharafa Dauda, Yahaya Ibrahim and Ahmed Mohammed: "Maiduguri:
Soldiers, Police in Place, Boko Haram 'In Command' -Gunmen Kill Two Policemen in Bauchi"]
Over the past two months, it appears the Boko Haram sect is rearing its head again. From widely-
speculated assassinations perpetrated by the group to the more recent bombing of a police station in
Maiduguri, all pointing to an apparent full-on war with the police.

In different parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, armed soldiers and mobile policemen have been
deployed, carrying out stop-and-search routines, looking combat-ready, strategically spread. The security
men seem helpless because they rely on information from residents who may or may not have clues on
suspected members of the Boko Haram sect. Unfortunately, the sect members are in charge -no one can
dare tip the security men for fear of being killed. Even top government officials now lie low. So palpable
is the apprehension that when the National Vice Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)
Alhaji Awana Ngala was killed recently, virtually no personality in the ANPP-ruled state government was
seen on camera even on local television stations speaking on Ngala's death. Not even spokesmen of the
government risked speaking against the sect.

Ward heads seen as custodians of information of residents in their areas are also on the run because some
of them have been killed. Some Islamic clerics are also on the run because they fear they may be killed
for not supporting the ideology of the sect. Only the state governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and heads of
security formations, the police in particular, openly speak on the sect, perhaps because the sect has since
declared both as their prime targets.

Most recent attack

The bombing of a police divisional headquarters at Gamboru in old Maiduguri at about 9pm on Monday,
September 11, 2010 by suspected members of the sect in spite of heavy security presence, has no doubt
heightened the fear of residents and strengthened the grip of the sect members at least since they have
silenced every one. Police, however, said the station is an outpost, which was upgraded illegally to a
Divisional Police Station by a former commissioner of police in the state.

At the Gomboru police station, the attackers fired sporadic shots through the metal entrance gate, forced
their way into the outpost and used bombs to set it ablaze. A police inspector was shot and injured in the
operation while two other police officers were injured. There was also a foiled attack at the Maiduguri
New Prisons, where a prison warden was injured. The police, speaking through the AIG, Zone 12
Mohammed Hadi Zarewa, who has now 'relocated' to the state from his Bauchi base, at a briefing on
Thursday said the serial attacks, are by suspected men of the Boko Haram sect. He said his men have also
recovered a bomb at a place near the New Prisons while another explosion occurred around the Monday
market without injuries; all suspected to have been planted by members of the sect, meaning that again,
the sect had beaten security by successfully planting explosives.

Then yesterday in Bauchi, gunmen killed two policemen manning a checkpoint in the latest in a wave of
shootings. The attack led authorities to announce that they were banning the night-time use of
motorcycles in the city of Bauchi, where the shootings occurred, "as a result of the activities of gunmen
suspected to be Boko Haram." Officials gave few details of the Thursday night attack in the working class
area of Kofar Gombe. Last month, suspected Boko Haram extremists attacked a prison in Bauchi and
freed more than 700 inmates, while on Wednesday suspected sect members killed a police officer
guarding a state official's house in the city.

Preceding these latest attacks, were serial killings by motorcycle-riding snipers, who trailed and killed six
police officers, some at their homes and duty posts. The snipers also killed eight civilians, among them,
Awana Ngala, the ANPP national executive, an Islamic scholar and a ward head. Scores were also injured
in the attacks that were sometimes carried out in the day.

These surpasses polic e counter operations because intensified search and security checks were adopted
by police since July, 2010 following a purportedly planned one-year anniversary of the death of the sect's
leader, Mohammed Yusuf and the emergence of a video clip claiming that Abubakar Shekau, then
second-in-command to late Yusuf, is alive contrary to claims of police that he was killed in the July, 2009
crises in Maiduguri when the sect and security officials clashed.

Ten suspected members of the sect were arrested early September 2010, out of which seven were re-
arrested within the metropolis after they had been granted bail by the courts. They were arraigned. Police
said the other three suspects were among the 123 members of the sect who escaped from the Bauchi
prisons after the jailbreak early the same month.

Did Shekau make good his threat?

In July 2010, the Borno State Police Command said it was aware of speculated plans by some members of
the sect to mark one year since their leader, Malam Muhammad Yusuf was killed on July 30, 2009. The
state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdu had also said his command had deployed intelligence
officers to various communities.

A traditional ruler in the state (name withheld) had on Monday, June 28, 2010 summoned district heads
and representatives of local government areas to a security meeting during which the speculated
anniversary of the late Boko Haram leader topped discussions. The meeting resolved that district and
ward heads should ensure that any suspected member of the sect seen should be reported to constituted
authority while identified mosques were to be monitored to ensure that only Muslims without links to the
sect were allowed to worship.

In July, 2010 a video clip reported on the media, shows Malam Abubakar Shekau granting an interview to
a journalist, confirming that he is not dead as claimed by police. In the video which was obtained in
Abuja, Shekau said he has assumed command of the group and would continue to propagate its anti-
Western education ideology. When contacted however, the police insisted that Shekau is dead. The state
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Abdu told our reporter that information available to the police indicated
that both leaders of the sect - Yusuf and Shekau - have been killed. "I have not seen the clip and I cannot
comment on what I have not seen. But to the best of my knowledge, Shekau and Mohammed Yusuf are
dead. If anybody can identify them and tell us their location, we are ready to act. But to us they are dead,"
Abdu said.

Shekau's claim of marrying late Yusuf's widow

Shekau had in the aforementioned video clip claimed he was about getting married to Baa Hajja, one of
the four widows left behind by Yusuf and whose father, Ba Fugu Mohammed was killed at the age of 72
over suspicion that he aided the activities of the group by giving them his house which served as the sect's
enclave, our correspondent had in July, 2010 learnt from the widow's eldest brother and leader of the
Fugu family that Baa Hajja has left Maiduguri and crossed into the neighbouring Chad about some two
months ago.

Babakura Alhaji Fugu, a 40-year-old teacher, had told Weekly Trust that before her departure, the widow
who was residing in old Maiduguri said she was in contact with someone in Chad who promised to take
care of her and her seven children and she thereafter moved and that she didn't disclose the helper's
identity. Asked if the widow has any relation or was used to going to Chad, the brother said, she has no
relation and he doesn't think she was there before her recent visit. Babakura however said that the widow
never mentioned anything like marriage to the family. He said he doubts if she is married to Shekau.

Sheriff's seeks FG's intervention

Probably as a sign that the attackers have defied all security measures introduced by the state government,
Governor Ali Modu Sheriff last week requested for federal government intervention. In response, the
army he adquarters ordered the deployment of three 'scorpion' armoured tanks and troops to contain the
attacks.

Already, 95 soldiers from the 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment in Biu LGA of Borno are on
ground but yet to be rolled out on the streets because President Goodluck Jonathan had not ordered the
army to take over operations. Inside military sources say many more troops could be on the way. The
police AIG also said that 400 mobile policemen were deployed to Borno following the killings.

Before the July, 2009 crisis, it was clear that the Borno government underrated the capacity of the sect
members. Giving their level of resistance during the last year's episode, when they controlled territories
for days keeping before they were only conquered after federal troops were deployed, appeared to have
made Sheriff to regard the recent resurgence as a major threat. Then the Borno state government recently
announced a reward of N500,00 (five hundred thousand naira) for any information that could assist in
tracking down sect members while the police and army have also announced phone numbers through
which information can be passed to them anonymously.
Suspect sect members speak to press, counter ransom enticement

But suspected members of the sect recently on the BBC Hausa service broadcast monitored in Maiduguri
declared their grudges, including a threat to the lives of 'would-be-informants.' In their declaration, they
said their demand was for Governor Ali Sheriff to vacate office because they hold his government
responsible for violating their rights.

In the latest twin broadcasts on the BBC and VOA Hausa services (in Maiduguri), they have also stated
five demands, which must be met before cessation of hostilities. They said they want the release of 195 of
their detained members, the return of all exiled sect members, unconditional release of the seized
mosques, and the liberty to practice Islam based on their ideology like any other citizen of the country, in
addition to transparent and accountable leadership in governance.

The unidentified spokesman of the sect also claimed responsibility for the serial attacks and killings,
including the recent bombing of Gamboru police station last Tuesday and added that they are responsible
for all the incidents in Borno and neighbouring states of Bauchi, Yobe, Kano and Jigawa states. But he
said they also deserve to be given amnesty. "We deserve similar treatments accorded to Niger-Delta
militants by late president Umaru Musa Yar'adua, rather than being treated like second class citizens of
Nigeria," he argued. Meanwhile, citizens of Borno State and other affected states -including Nigeria as a
whole -wait for an end to the violent drama with bated breath.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the privately owned pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/ ]

Nigeria: Article Highlights Islamic Sect, Boko Haram's Modus Operandi

AFP20101023686004 Port Harcourt The Neighborhood in English 21 Oct 10 p 8

[Article by Kennedy Ejinima: "Boko Haram: Another Battle Between Science and Religion"]

If one takes out time to look closely at the concept and practice of Boko Haram, the new ultra religious
Islamic sect, and also at the havoc that the clash between its adherents and government agencies wrecked
on the Nigerian society, one would notice that it embodies the age-old conflict between science and
religion. Throughout history, science and religion have been at loggerheads. Most times the conflict is
subtle, unseen and disguised; sometimes blood is spilt. But one thing is sure: science and religion are at
each other’s neck.

Religion tells us that the whole earth was created in seven days, six thousand years ago; science gives us
weird and very old fossils, whose decomposition alone would take not less than one million years.
Religion says there is life after death; science keeps mum. Religion says some young girl is possessed by
jinn, demons or some unknown gods; science says the dame is a victim of multiple personality disorder.
During the French Revolution, the intellectuals burnt an effigy of religion, and raised another one for
science, calling it the "the goddess of reason". Today these Boko Haram men burn their academic
certificates, raising their voice in denunciation of anything Western.

Those that might be tempted to think that Boko Haram is about Islam as a religion should go back to
history and see that, unlike what many might perceive, Islam had produced a lot of thinkers, scientists,
philosophers and inventors throughout human civilization who had tremendously helped in giving the
world our mathematics, poetry, architecture, commerce and governance.

Here a few of them deserves mention. The 10th century Muslim mathematician, astronomer and physicist
Ibn al-Haitham invented the first pin-hole camera after noticing the way light came through a hole in
winter shutters. The smaller the hole, the better the picture, he worked out, and set up the first Camera
Obcura (from the Arab word qamara for a dark or private room). He is also credited with being the first
man to shift physics from a philosophical activity to an experimental one.

Distillation, the means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points, was invented
around the year 800 by Islam’s foremost scientist, Jabir Ibn Hayyan, who transformed alchemy into
chemistry, inventing many of the basic processes and apparatus still in use today – liquefaction,
crystallization, distillation, purification, oxidization, evaporation and filtration.

Ibn Hayyan emphasized systematic experimentation and was the founder of modern chemistry. Likewise,
the crank-shaft, another fundamental piece of engineering instrument and one of the most important
mechanical inventions in the history of humankind, was created by a Muslim engineer called al-Jazari to
raise water for irrigation. His 1206 Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices shows he also
invented or refined the use of valves and pistons, devised some of the first mechanical clocks driven by
water and weights, and was the father of robotics.

In the field of medicine, many modern surgical instruments are of exactly the same design as those
devised in the 10th century by a Muslim surgeon called al-Zahrawi. His scalpels, bone saws, forceps, fine
scissors for eye surgery and many of the 200 instruments he devised are recognizable to a modern
surgeon.

Also in the 13th century another Muslim medic named Ibn Nafis described the circulation of the blood,
300 years before William Harvey discovered it. In commerce, the cheque we use today was first used by
Muslim merchants in the ninth century. In architecture, ribbed vaulting, rose windows and dome-building
techniques were borrowed from Muslim genius. Of course there are others but space will not permit a
longer discourse.

My point is that Boko Haram is not a reflection of the principles and antecedents of its mother religion,
but the inevitable manifestation of the perennial struggle between the finite and the infinite in the human
psyche, which at various times are crystallized in group forms to wreck havoc on the society.

In 1993, on a ranch near Waco, Texas, United States, a Christian cult known as the Branch Davidian led
by David Koresh engaged the American law enforcement agents (the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) in a fierce armed combat for several weeks. At the end
nearly a hundred members of the cult were killed, including a number of small children, in a ball of
exploding fire believed to have been ignited by the members themselves as they ran out of ammunition.

The truth is that there are people who cannot cope under certain pressures of life, and one of these is the
pressure of balancing the spiritual and the material aspects of the human psyche. Specialists have
discovered that man is made up of what they call a bicameral mind, which is the existence of two
hemispheres in the makeup of the human brain: one side (the right brain) handles intuition and visions;
the other part (the left brain) handles intelligence, language and movement. These two parts work in
automatic coordination and balance. R. Joseph, a leading neuropsychologist, asserted that the left
hemisphere of the brain handles sophisticated functions such as language and manual dexterity. It is also
the seat of the conscious memory, which is dependent upon the ability to put experience into words. The
right brain specializes in experiences that do not require conscious processing, such as intuition and
emotional responsiveness; it cannot talk, read, write, or spell. It is therefore regarded as the place where
the unconscious resides.

Man carries out his everyday "physical" activities through the work of the left brain, while his right brain
directs his "spiritual" (or religious) existence. Education and daily learning is part of the left brain while
praying, believing and doing "God’s work" are functions of the right brain. The Nobelist Robert Sperry
has made a remarkable discovery to prove that an individual can show two distinct personalities when
these two hemispheres of his brain are severed. In other words the individual’s continued sanity is
determined by the cooperation between the two parts of his brain. He has to be able to balance being a
believer in a particular religion and being a specialist in a particular profession, because sometimes the
principles of these two practices are diametrically opposed; and he has to adjust his mind constantly as he
visits both the worship centre (church, mosque or synagogue) and the work centre (school, factory, or
business plaza).

However, just as different people are endowed with different abilities, not everybody has a perfect
coordination of the two brains; people tend to balance their two psychic parts at varying degrees. Some
people cannot tolerate religious people and vice versa. Likewise some find it easy, even congenital, to be
religious. And this reality has manifested on a macrocosmic level in the battle between the rational world
– represented by science – and the spiritual world – represented by the various religions.

The path of human development from prehistoric times to the present age contains evidences of the battle
between science and religion. The Inquisition in Europe, Killing of Twins in Africa, and Caste System in
Asia are screaming headlines. Human development in science and technology, and even in socio-cultural
dynamics, seems to be as a result of the conquest of the human experience by reason and innovations
based on the empirical world, as opposed to the belief in the supernatural and its corollary of religious
methods.

This also manifests in the religious faiths, denominations and sects that exist in the world. One finds it
easy to fit into a fast changing world while the other finds it terrifying. This is the dynamic behind the
millennial groups that litter the world. In 1840 in the US, the Millerites started disposing of their
belongings in anticipation of the judgment day.

Currently the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in separation from any earthly government, and consequently
refuses to salute any flag, vote, perform military service, or otherwise signify allegiance to any
government, which have brought them into conflict with governmental authorities in many countries. It is
also strikingly amusing that just like the adherents of Boko Haram there are some pentecostal preachers
that burnt their academic certificates as they were "called" into ministry.

I believe that the struggle between science and religion shall continue, but the future of the world shall be
defined by philosophies, principles, technologies and initiatives that would be set to create a bridge
between the two worlds. Let it be noted that inter-denominational religious movements and ecumenical
peace initiatives also fall into this category of bridge-building.

The duty of the government is to reach out to religious bodies and Non Governmental Organizations
[NGO], sponsoring such fora where inter-faith issues are discussed and solved, and also carrying out
constant security checks on religious activities in Nigeria in order to determine the ones that have
potentials of evolving into violent anti-social movements.

This is also a call to religious people to constantly work at ways of adapting to the fast changing world. In
a world where it is becoming harder to survive without having adequate knowledge in new technologies
and ideas, the child of God cannot afford to be left behind, because as the Christian holy book says,
heaven’s streets are paved with gold. Modern science started with alchemy, a quest to turn metal to gold;
what if the ultimate end of science is to make the earth like heaven: turn metal to gold and use it in
constructions? I always wonder.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Neighborhood in English -- Privately owned daily]

Nigeria: Anxiety in Borno over Islamic Sect's Violent Tendency

AFP20101023686012 Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English 22 Oct 10 p 9

[Report by Jude Nwanjoku: "Borno Gripped by Fear as Boko Haram Unleashes Terror"]

For sometimes now, residents of Maiduguri, Borno state capital and its environs no longer sleep with
their two eyes closed, as a result of the increasing wave of killings of police officers and prominent
civilians by unidentified gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawed Boko Haram Islamic sect,
which began three months ago. A statistic of casualty released by the state police command revealed that
so far, five police officers and seven civilians have been murdered in separate but similar circumstances.
In all the attacks, the assailants drove on bikes to the homes of their victims to carry out the heinous act
before fleeing away.

Our correspondent gathered that the coordinated killings are alleged reprisal attacks on the police by the
Boko Haram group, in revenge for last year’s casualties suffered by their men during the sect’s uprising
against the authority which led to the death of over 1,000 persons. Property worth hundreds of millions of
naira was also destroyed.

These unexplained assassinations may not be unconnected to the alleged vow by the group’s current
leader, Abubakar Shekau to mark a bloody one-year anniversary of the death of their former leader,
Mohammed Yusuf, who died under suspicious circumstances in police detention.

Although police had then dismissed the sect’s threat to avenge the killings of their men as baseless,
security was nonetheless beefed up with operatives put on red alert at strategic locations in the Borno
State capital as a result of the spate of killings. The security measures include a stop-and-search operation
on all motorists and the restriction of movement placed on the commercial motorcycle operators after
6.00pm. Security personnel in patrol vehicles patrolled the major streets.

Assuring the people, the state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdu had said that there was no cause for
alarm as adequate security measures were in place to foil further attacks by the sect. Abdu had said ‘‘we
have placed our men on red alert to stem any ugly incident in the state, just as the command is
collaborating with other security agencies in exchange of intelligence and surveillance report’’.

On its part, the Borno state government had urged the public to remain calm, insisting that adequate
security measures was in place to ensure that no individual or group breached the prevailing peaceful
atmosphere in the state. A statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ali Modu Sheriff on
Media and Publicity, Shehu Mustapha Liberty, had hinted that the re-introduction of the joint security
outfit was part of the government readiness to deal with troublemakers.

However, despite these assurances and security measures, months later the sect began coordinated killings
of police officers after which they take away their rifles in broad daytime. The killings were not however,
restricted to police officers, as prominent civilians such as ward heads and Islamic leaders, also fell prey
to the assailants. Ward heads may have become among the prime targets due to their role in identifying
members of the sect in their respective areas who fled during the 2009 clash between the group and
security operatives. Some of the attacks carried out on civilians by the sect include the one at
Gwadambari area where two gunmen on a motor bike assassinated the ward head of the area, Bulama
Mohammed for being an alleged police informant.

The group also raided the house of the Speaker of the state Assembly, Honorable Goni Ali Modu along
Pompamari area in Maiduguri metropolis killing his police guard and stealing his service rifle.

Three hours after this incident, other gunmen stormed the home of the national vice chairman, (North-
East) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] and brother-in-law of governor Sheriff, Alhaji Awana
Ngala and murdered him.

Malam Goni Tom, an associate of late Ngala, who witnessed the attack, told newsmen that "the assailants
entered into the house some minutes after eight in the night and started beating us, and one of them
holding a rifle fired many shots at Ngala. When they were convinced that he is dead, they fled".

Three days later, the gangsters murdered a council chief in Bama town, Mamman Zanna and a Sunni
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bashir Mustapha alongside his pupil, Modu Sunoma at Gwange ward in the
metropolis. According to family source, the late cleric may have been killed by the Boko Haram due to
his strong opposition to their interpretation of Islam. He had, prior to his murder, received several text
messages threatening his life. ‘‘Due to these threats, the deceased has been sleeping at unknown police
station for safety, while his family relocated to the house of other relatives. However, Sheikh Mustapha
may have been trailed by the gunmen as, on that fateful day, he returned home to pick some belongings,
that was how they got him’’, the source revealed.

Three days later gunmen bombed a Gamboru police outpost wounding three out of the five officers on
duty. It was gathered that, the attack took place at about 9:30pm when over ten gunmen armed with AK47
rifles, drove to the police station in two Golf cars. An eyewitness, Malam Waziri Mohammed, told our
correspondent that on their arrival, some of the gunmen stationed themselves at different directions of the
station, firing several shots on the air to scare the public, while others entered inside and started shooting
sporadically.
As the coordinated killings continue, commissioners and other top government officials, especially those
presumed to be close to Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, have fled from Maiduguri with their families for fear
of attack. Security operatives attached to the convoy and residence of the governor were re-inforced with
heavily armed soldiers. Similarly, hundreds of soldiers have been deployed at strategic locations to take
over most of the areas hitherto manned by the police.

The state of insecurity in Maiduguri and environs has adversely affected commercial activities.
Traders ,who under normal situation, close business at 6.00pm, are now going home at 4.00pm, just as
most people are now under self-imposed curfew returning to their homes as early as 6.00pm. Similarly,
vehicular movements have dropped by 80 percent with major streets and roads deserted with okada riders
the worst hit by the situation, as their movement is restricted to 5.00pm.

Commenting to the situation, the Borno State chairman of the opposition Congress for Progressive
Change [CPC], Comrade Zanna Shettima, blamed the assassinations on Governor Sheriff calling on him
to resign for his failure to safeguard the lives of the citizenry. Shettima argued that it is high time for the
governor to surrender the mantle of the state’s leadership to a more responsible and patriotic individual
who is capable enough to ensure safety for all citizens.

‘‘The call for the governor to resign was long overdue as he has failed woefully to govern the state in
accordance with the constitution of the nation. It was unfortunate that innocent lives are being lost daily,
but all what Sheriff succeeded in doing was to concentrate on siphoning public funds and the agenda of
2011 general election’’, he alleged.

Also, the deputy national chairman of Africa Liberation Party [ALP] Alhaji Abba Kale attributed the
persistent killings to bad leadership and unemployment among the youths, saying the government should
urgently address the problem to curb recurrence.

According to him, the renewed Boko Haram violence was caused by poverty and unemployment among
youths, asserting that if they are properly empowered to be self-reliant, the youths could not be misled
into joining violent groups like Boko Haram.

Similarly, a group of prominent Islamic scholars in the state has written to the governor advising him to
urgently constitute a high powered committee to map out modalities on how to trace leaders of the
outlawed Boko Haram sect and dialogue with them in order to stem the wave of killings. One of the
elders told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that the letter, which was given to Sheriff during
his meeting with the clerics at the Government House, also alerted Sheriff on the imminent dangers
awaiting the state, should the assassination of innocent people continue.
‘‘If the Federal Government succeeded in ending the Niger Delta crisis through a dialogue with the
militants, I see no reason why Sheriff cannot adopt similar approach with the group as a strategy to
motivate them to stop terrorizing the residents.

We suggested that a committee comprising Islamic scholars, traditional institutions and other relevant
stakeholders be constituted to identify leaders of the sect, meet with them and hear their grievances so as
to proffer possible solutions", the source disclosed further.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (Zone 12), Bauchi, Mohammed Hadi Zarewa, confirmed that
the unidentified assailants who have been terrorizing people were certainly members of the outlawed
Boko Haram sect as several explosives they buried behind old Maiduguri Prison, were dug out by the
police.

Hadi Zarewa, who briefed newsmen in Maiduguri on the security situation of the state said ‘‘we
believed that the unidentified gunmen who engaged in the brutal killings of innocent people belong to the
dreaded Boko Haram group as we studied their victims, mode of operation and arms’’. He also blamed
the group for the Monday night’s attack on the Gamborou police outpost where the same members of the
sect used explosives to blow up the outpost, injuring two of the officers on duty.

The police chief, who said he was specifically deployed to lead the police fight against the insurgents,
revealed that some locally made bombs, believed to have been planted by the sect along El-Kanemi
roundabout, have exploded within the week, but there was no casualty.

In addition, the Inspector General of Police Alhaji Uba Ringim has deployed 400 heavily armed anti-riot
policemen to the state as reinforcement to the ones already on ground. AIG Zarewa, however, stressed the
need for the larger society to provide useful information to the police that might lead to the arrest of the
assailants.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English -- Rivers State owned
daily]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamists Kill Local Chief in North

AFP20101024534001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2156 GMT 23 Oct 10

KANO, Nigeria, Oct 23, 2010 (AFP) - Gunmen suspected of being members of Boko Haram Islamist sect
believed to be behind a series of killings in recent months have shot dead a local chief in northern
Nigeria, a legislator said Saturday.

Tukur Ahmad, a neighbourhood chief in northern city of Bauchi was killed by two unidentified gunmen
outside his house Friday night shortly after attending Muslim prayers in a nearby mosque, said MP
Babayo Garba, representing the area in the Bauchi state House of Assembly.

"The two assailants suspected to be members of Boko Haram used the cover of the night and shot him
dead outside his house and fled. They came on foot and sneaked away through back streets after the
attack," Garba told AFP.

This was the third attack suspected on Boko Haram to be carried out in the city in barely one week.

Such shootings along with other attacks in recent months in northern Nigeria, including a prison raid and
the torching of a police station, have raised alarm over the sect, which launched an uprising last year.

The revolt was put down by a police and military assault, leaving hundreds dead.
Last month suspected Boko Haram extremists attacked a prison in Bauchi and freed more than 700
inmates, including around 100 sect members standing trial for their involvement in the sect's armed
insurrection last year.

Police authorities in Bauchi have declined to comment on the attacks.

Attacks have also occurred in other areas in recent months.

Authorities had to deploy troops in the northern city of Maiduguri this week after a series of attacks
blamed on Boko Haram.

Two weeks ago, suspected sect members attacked and torched a police station in Maiduguri, the centre of
last year's uprising.

The government's assault on the Islamists left the sect's mosque and headquarters in ruins.

Its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was captured alive and then killed by police, who said he was trying to
escape. His deputy, Abubakar Shekau, is believed by some to have since taken over as leader.

Boko Haram means "Western education is sin" in the Hausa language.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Threatens To 'Carry Out Further Attacks' in Northern State
AFP20101024565001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 23 Oct 10

[Nigeria: Islamic Sect Threatens To 'Carry Out Further Attacks' in Northern State]

The Muslim Fundamental group, Boko Haram, on Thursday evening threatened to carry out further
attacks in some state in the North while also invokeing the al-Qaeda's North African branch.

Al-Qaeda is the group established by Osama bin Laden which claimed responsibility for the September
11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre in the United State.

According to an online news agency, the Boko Haram group invoked the North African branch of the al-
Qaeda group and pasted posters in some areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, declaring loyalty to
the group.

Posters by the sect appeared at key intersections in the city of Maiduguri bearing the name of Imam
Abubakar Shekau, the group's de facto leader.

The two top corners of the posters bore a symbol of an opened Quran, flanked on each side by
Kalashnikov assault rifles and a flag in the middle -- mirroring the logo of al-Qaeda in the North Africa.

The message warned the public against assisting the police or going near soldiers guarding the town at
night.

The message also acknowledged a recent reward offered for information leading to the arrest of suspected
sect members.

"Any Muslim that goes against the establishment of Sharia (law) will be attacked and killed," the message
read.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sacrilege" in Hausa language, has campaigned for the
implementation of strict Shariah law.
The poster said it was from Shekau on behalf of "The Group of the People of Sunnah, Call and Jihad."

Police officers began removing the signs late Wednesday, according to the agency.

"These publications and messages on Boko Haram activities are seditious and could jeopardise our
investigations into the four-month serial attacks and killings in the state," Borno State Police
Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar, was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Saturday Tribune, which was in Maiduguri, learnt that such massages, which were seen around Shehuri,
Jejeri, Bullumkuttu and other areas of the state, were also shown on the Nigerian Television Authority
(NTA).

Saturday Tribune also learnt that the new Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, had made a
statement on the position of security in that regard.

In a telephone chat, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mai Mamman, told Saturday Tribune that he
was not aware of such message contained in the posters or aware of any statement made by the
commissioner, who had just arrived the state to that effect.

Saturday Tribune, however, gathered that about two weeks ago, the British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC), in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, reported an interview with an unidentified person claiming
to be the sect's spokesperson.

It would be recalled in that interview that the sect gave conditions, which according to an unidentified
spokesman of the religious sect, must be met before members of the sect could sheath their swords.

Saturday Tribune recalled that while claiming responsibilities for the serial attacks and killings, including
the recent bombing of Gamboru police station, the spokesperson said: "We deserve similar treatments
accorded to the Niger-Delta militants by the late president, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua, rather than being
treated like second class citizens of Nigeria."

He added that they were responsible for all that had raised tension in the Borno and neighbouring states of
Bauchi, Yobe, Kano and Jigawa.
He said the serial attacks and killings since July were, however, caused by the state government which
trampled on their rights and those of citizens of this country by killing their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in
August, 2009.

He said that besides the killing of their religious leader, the state government also destroyed their places
of worship.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Attack Police Station in Yobe State

AFP20101025598008 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 24 Oct 10

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Suspected Boko Haram Members Attack Yola Police Station"]

Six armed men suspected to be Boko Haram members yesterday attacked the Gulani police station in
Yobe State in the night, injuring not less than three policemen.

In the exchange of gunfire with the suspects, the police killed one of them, while the remaining five fled
with their Kalashnikov rifles, which they used in attacking the police station. The police station is 154
kilometres East of Damaturu, the state capital.

Confirming the attacks and killing of one of the suspects, the police commissioner, Mamman Sule, told
The Guardian: "Yes, it is true that a gang of six armed men suspected to be Boko Haram armed religious
sect attacked one of our police stations in Gulani in the night." He said that police officers were able to
protect the station by killing one of the suspects.

He said the motive of the suspects was to set the police station ablaze but they were unable to do so
because the policemen on duty were able to save many lives and the police station.

On whether there were arrests made, he said that the perpetrators would be brought to book as soon as
investigations were completed based on the information provided by the Gulani communities to the
police.

Last Friday, the Bauchi ward head, Tukur Ahmadu, was gunned down by the suspected Boko Haram
religious sect in his Kandahar residence at about 8.00 p.m.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Recent Killings Said Lead to Fears of Boko Haram Islamist Sect's Return

AFP20101027646003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1004 GMT 27 Oct 10

["Killings Lead to Fears of Nigerian Islamist Sect's Return" -- AFP headline]

MAIduguri, Nigeria, Oct 26, 2010 (AFP) - A Nigerian Islamist sect routed in a brutal assault last year is
feared to have reemerged with a series of attacks and shootings, leading to military patrols and grim
reminders of 2009 unrest.
Police suspect the sect, known as Boko Haram, has been behind a spate of deadly shootings by gunmen
on motorcycles in Nigeria's north, as well as attacks on police stations and a prison raid that freed more
than 700 inmates.

Military deployments, including army checkpoints and two helicopters that hover above throughout the
day, have been sent to this northeastern city in recent weeks.

Hundreds were killed after the military and police launched an assault to put down an uprising by the sect
last year, leaving its headquarters and mosque in ruins.

A video has emerged purporting to show the Islamists raid the prison in the city of Bauchi in September --
an attack that also freed about 100 suspected sect members -- as well as issue new threats.

The militants in the video say they do not want to be known as Boko Haram, which means "Western
education is sin" in the local Hausa language.

They say in the video, which includes a picture of Osama bin Laden, that they want to be called a phrase
that translates roughly to "People Committed to the Prophet's Teachings for Propagation and Jihad."

"We will avenge the killings of our brethren and the destruction of our homes," a militant whose face is
masked as well as blurred says in the video in the Hausa language as he sits beside an AK-47 rifle.

"We have been permitted by Allah to fight whoever kills us and destroys our homes."

The video has apparently not been widely distributed and its authenticity could not be confirmed. Footage
purportedly showing the prison raid was filmed from a distance and is unfocused, though gunfire can be
heard.

Abdulkareem Mohammed, a filmmaker who has written a book on the sect and watched the footage, said
he believed it to be authentic.

Kyari Mohammed, a professor who is also working on a book on Boko Haram, had not seen the video but
said its existence would not surprise him. He also said one reason it may not be more widely distributed is
because the group remains a local one.
However, a Washington-based organisation, the Middle East Media Research Institute, recently warned
that Boko Haram may be forming links with Al-Qaeda's north Africa branch.

Such links would mark a sharp change in the group, with many observers saying it grew out of frustration
with Nigeria's massive corruption, poverty and lack of opportunities for young people.

Local chiefs in the city say they have received threats from suspected sect members because they are
perceived as having assisted police in identifying militants after last year's unrest.

"I live in constant fear of attack by Boko Haram members, who have called me twice informing they were
going to kill me," one neighbourhood chief said.

Police officers and community leaders have been among the targets of the shootings in recent months.

Authorities refused to comment this week about the military presence and suspected return of the sect,
though the army chief of staff recently visited Maiduguri and spoke of the strategy.

"The deployment of the helicopters ... was to provide surveillance and trace the hideout of members of
Boko Haram and other criminals who have been terrorizing the state," said Azubuike Ihejirika.

Motorcycles are now banned at night, though shootings have still occurred here despite the restriction.

The government in Borno state, where Maiduguri is the capital, has promised a 500,000 naira (3,333
dollar) reward for information on the sect.

But suspected sect members responded with their own campaign, distributing fliers -- since torn down --
warning that anyone who provided police with information would be killed, residents said.

Abubakar Tsav, a respected former police commissioner for the economic capital Lagos, sai d authorities
had embarked on the wrong strategy.
"I can't see any rationale in the use of gunships to check hit-and-run attacks by motorcycle riders in
alleyways," he said, referring to the helicopters. "The best strategy in such situation is the use of
undercover surveillance."

One resident said locals would never report the sect members.

"The truth is that the attackers are known among residents, but no one is willing to stick his neck out for
fear of reprisals," the resident said at a shopping centre in the city.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Algerian journalist on 'real' identity of AQLIM leader, AQLIM future in Nigeria

EUP20101027950045 Paris AFP (Domestic Service) in French 1510 GMT 27 Oct 10

Algerian journalist on "real" identity of AQLIM leader, AQLIM future in Nigeria

Text of report by French news agency AFP

Algiers, 27 October 2010: An Algerian journalist says in a work published this week that he is able to
reveal the real identity of the leader of Al-Qa'idah in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM),
contesting the identity attributed to him by Interpol.
Mohamed Mokeddem, editor of the Algerian Arab-language daily Ennahar, said that Abdelhamid Abou
Zeid is called Mohamed Ghadir rather than Abid Hamadou as stated by experts in Sahel terrorism and
Interpol on its most wanted list.

The Algerian radical leader, whom Mr Mokeddem profiles from birth to his most recent activities, is
behind several foreign kidnappings in the Sahel, including that of five French nationals kidnapped in
September.

In an interview with AFP, Mr Mokeddem explained the misunderstanding on the grounds that the two
men "have the same story: both were originally smugglers and joined the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in
their respective districts".

They have "the same profile: a brother and two cousins who are their allies and joined armed groups",
said the expert on AQLIM whose book, "Al-Qaidah in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, Smuggling for
Islam" [French: "Al-Qaida au Maghreb islamique, contrebande au nom de l'islam"] was presented at the
Algiers International Book Fair.

Mr Mokeddem said Mohamed Ghadir is white, born in the Debdeb region not far from the Libyan border,
whereas Abid Hamadou, born in Touggourt in the Ouargla department (right in the south, 800 km from
Algiers) was black. He is thought to have been killed by the army in the Sahara in the 90s but his death
was not recorded, the journalist said.

It was by checking statements and photos of the two men with their respective mothers, the "penitents"
(former Islamic radical fighters amnestied by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika) and one-time French
hostage Pierre Camatte, who was kidnapped on 25 November 2009, that Mr Mokeddem reached this
conclusion.

Mr Camatte who was released in February 2010 "confirmed Abou Zeid's real identity" from the photo
presented to him, he said.

Mr Mokeddem also said that Frenchman Michel Germaneau, kidnapped on 19 April and said by AQLIM
to have been executed, in fact died "of a heart attack at the beginning of July". His sources are "Algerian
traders with links to Mali" where the hostage was held and "sources connected to the security situation in
the Sahel region".
Abou Zeid, who appeared in 2003 as a deputy to Aberazak el Para [described by Le Monde as the
Maghreb's Bin Ladin and a former Algerian special forces officer] in the kidnapping of 32 European
tourists, is believed responsible for a serious of kidnappings, including that of Briton Edwin Dyer who
was executed in June 2009 and more recently of five French nationals, a Malagasy and a Togolese in the
north of Niger.

Mr Mokeddem said that AQLIM is sustained by the kidnapping business. "Ransoms are handed over to
pay for ammunition and weapons. This market is very important in Mali and Niger" where soldiers and
former Tuareg rebels had over their hardware.

Some of the funds, he said, are laundered particularly "in fast food and transport".

Mr Mokeddem, a connoisseur of jihadi networks, says AQLIM moved into Nigerian territory when Boko
Haram emerged in the north and hundreds were left dead last year in clashes between the sect and the
Nigerian army.

"AQLIM's future is in Nigeria not the Sahel," he says.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (Domestic Service) in French -- domestic service of independent
French press agency]

France Offers To Provide Surveillance Equipment to Nigeria To Fight Terrorism

AFP20101103565007 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0345 GMT 03 Nov 10

[Report by Ahmed Mohammed: "France To Assist Nigeria on Terrorism"]

The French government has offered to assist Nigeria with surveillance equipment to check terrorism in
the country. The French Ambassador to Nigeria, John Michelle, made the offer when he visited Bauchi
State Governor Isa Yuguda in Bauchi.

He also condoled with the government and people of the state over the lives lost in the recent attack by
suspected members of the Boko-Haram sect.

The ambassador also disclosed that the French government has set aside $200 million to boost agriculture
in Nigeria. He said the fund would be used to assist genuine farmers.

Ambassador Michelle said to reduce Nigeria's dependence on oil, the country must develop other sectors
of the economy, adding that agriculture if developed could reduce unemployment in the country.

He said that his government is partnering INEC [Independent National Electoral Commission] to ensure a
free and fair election in the country in 2011.

He advised aspirants to be peaceful in their campaigns, saying the French government was ready to
partner the Nigerian government to boost security in the country.

Yuguda has assured that those behind the killings would be fished out and made to face the law.

Yuguda also assured investors that the atmosphere in the state is favorable for any type of investment,
reiterating the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of everyone in the state.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://www.news.dailytrust.com/]
Nigeria Deports 700 'Suspected' Islamic Sect Members to Niger, Cameroon, Chad

AFP20101105598002 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 04 Nov 10

[Unattributed report: "FG Deports 700 'Boko Haram' Members to Niger, Chad"]

Hundreds of immigrants have been deported from Northern Nigeria to neighbouring countries as part of a
security crackdown on the radical Islamic sect-Boko Haram-a senior immigration official confirmed
yesterday.

Suspected members of the sect have been blamed for torching police stations and carrying out fatal sniper
attacks on police officers and innocent residents in some states, especially Bauchi and Borno.

According to Babayo Alkali, a top immigration official in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, no fewer
than 700 migrants from Niger, Cameroon and Chad have been expelled, amid fears that the sect may be
drawing members from outside Nigeria, as at the last count.

He said: "With the recent security threat in the state and approaching election, we had to embark on an
exercise to clear the state of all illegal aliens.

"Some foreigners were implicated in the Boko Haram security breach so, we had to act." The immigration
official said that those deported, some of whom were visiting relatives, had been found to lack the
necessary documents to stay in the country.

Members of the sect have been calling for the implementation of Sharia (Islamic law) across the country.

Some states in the North have introduced the religious code over the last decade.

The sect first gained wide attention last July, when it launched an uprising in Maiduguri that led to
clashes with security forces in which up to 800 people were killed.
Residents in the affected states alleged that the recent resurgence in violence was a form of revenge
against the authorities, who clamped down on the sect members, whose leader died in detention.

Police officers, government officials and traditional leaders have been killed in a wave of attacks that
began in August.

The forthcoming general elections scheduled to hold in March next year has heightened security
concerns. The leadership of security services had said last month that they would boost the army and
police presence, including using helicopter patrols, in Borno in a bid to contain the rampaging Boko
Haram sect members, whose name means "Western education is sinful" in Hausa language.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigeria: Report Says Boko Haram Confirms Links With Al-Qa'ida, Threatens Attacks

AFP20101110683001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 23 Oct 10

[Report by James Bwala: "Boko Haram Confirms Link With Osama's al-Qaeda •Threatens Fresh Attack
In North"]

The Muslim Fundamental group, Boko Haram, on Thursday evening threatened to carry out further
attacks in some state in the North while also invoking the al-Qaeda's North African branch.

Al-Qaeda is the group established by Osama bin Laden which claimed responsibility for the September
11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre in the United State.
According to an online news agency, the Boko Haram group involked the North African branch of the al-
Qaeda group and pasted posters in some areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, declaring loyalty to
the group.

Posters by the sect appeared at key intersections in the city of Maiduguri bearing the name of Imam
Abubakar Shekau, the group's de facto leader.

The two top corners of the posters bore a symbol of an opened Quran, flanked on each side by
Kalashnikov assault rifles and a flag in the middle -- mirroring the logo of al-Qaeda in the North Africa.

The message warned the public against assisting the police or going near soldiers guarding the town at
night.

The message also acknowledged a recent reward offered for information leading to the arrest of suspected
sect members.

"Any Muslim that goes against the establishment of Sharia (law) will be attacked and killed," the message
read.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sacrilege" in Hausa language, has campaigned for the
implementation of strict Shariah law.

The poster said it was from Shekau on behalf of "The Group of the People of Sunnah, Call and Jihad."

Police officers began removing the signs late Wednesday, according to the agency.

"These publications and messages on Boko Haram activities are seditious and could jeopardise our
investigations into the four-month serial attacks and killings in the state," Borno State Police
Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar, was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Saturday Tribune, which was in Maiduguri, learnt that such massages, which were seen around Shehuri,
Jejeri, Bullumkuttu and other areas of the state, were also shown on the Nigerian Television Authority
(NTA).
Saturday Tribune also learnt that the new Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, had made a
statement on the position of security in that regard.

In a telephone chat, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mai Mamman, told Saturday Tribune that he
was not aware of such message contained in the posters or aware of any statement made by the
commissioner, who had just arrived the state to that effect.

Saturday Tribune, however, gathered that about two weeks ago, the British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC), in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, reported an interview with an unidentified person claiming
to be the sect's spokesperson.

It would be recalled in that interview that the sect gave conditions, which according to an unidentified
spokesman of the religious sect, must be met before members of the sect could sheath their swords.

Saturday Tribune recalled that while claiming responsibilities for the serial attacks and killings, including
the recent bombing of Gamboru police station, the spokesperson said: "We deserve similar treatments
accorded to the Niger-Delta militants by the late president, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua, rather than being
treated like second class citizens of Nigeria."

He added that they were responsible for all that had raised tension in the Borno and neighbouring states of
Bauchi, Yobe, Kano and Jigawa.

He said the serial attacks and killings since July were, however, caused by the state government which
trampled on their rights and those of citizens of this country by killing their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in
August, 2009.

He said that besides the killing of their religious leader, the state government also destroyed their places
of worship.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
Nigeria: Report Says Ammunition Factory Found Near Crises Ridden Central City

AFP20101118683001 Zaria Al-Mizan Online in Hausa 12 Nov 10

[Unattributed report]

The Police made big arrests in Jos recently.

The International Criminal Court has begun investigations into the nagging Jos crises.

The police have recently discovered a hideout at the Kiru local government situated at the south of the
Plateau state's government house, where a large quantity of rifles and cartridges are manufactured, which
people suspect are meant to be used to provoke violence in a city now well known for sectarian crises.

The Plateau state commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, testified that his men have arrested four
men that will assist the police in investigations on this arms manufacturing factory they have discovered.

In a news conference he granted to journalists, Ikechukwu Aduba revealed that they found the arms
manufacturing factory during an investigation on the murder of a veterinary doctor in the same area.

He said that it was in that area that they found cartridges and rifles in a corn bin, kept for use during
future crises in the city.

Security forces, have since the beginning of this year, urged everyone to surrender all arms in possession,
a warning ignored by all until when the police searched and arrested various culprits in possession of
arms at different times.
A report shows that Nigeria ranks the highest in the sub-region for illegal arms possession, mostly
unreported or prosecuted.

In another report, security personnel on patrol in Borno state arrested a man alleged to be a member of the
Boko Haram sect in possession with a large consignment of AK 47 rifles, during an unsuccessful attack
his gang launched on an unsuspecting traditional ruler.

In another incident, a woman, Lucy Dangana, found to be importing arms from the neighboring Chad was
found to have facilitated the illegal importation of several such consignments of arms into the country.

Borno state police commissioner, Muhammad j. Abubakar, also said that they arrested Lucy Dangana, 35,
in Dabar masara town in the Kukawa Jim Kadam local government area while she was about to cross
over to Chad.

While speaking to newsmen, Lucy said that the arms belonged to a male relative, and that she was only
acting as his front.

[Description of Source: Zaria Al-Mizan Online in Hausa -- Website of the privately owned pro-Islamic
weekly newspaper, championing Hausa and northern Nigerian interests; URL: http://www.almizan.net]

Nigeria: Army Say Troops Clash With Islamist Sect Members in Northern City

AFP20101122683006 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1701 GMT 22 Nov 10

["Troops clash with sect members in northern Nigeria: army" -- AFP headline]
KANO, Nigeria, Nov 22, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect ambushed a military patrol
in the flashpoint northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the army said Monday.

One soldier was wounded in the shoot-out that took place Sunday night in the Jajere area of Maiduguri,
where hundreds of people were killed in an uprising by the Boko Harem sect and a subsequent crackdown
by security forces.

Lieutenant Abubakar Abdullahi said a patrol "came under attack by gunmen suspected to be members of
the outlawed Boko Haram who fired at the patrol team from trees and rooftops of houses along the major
street in the neighbourhood."

The troops returned fire and the exchanges "lasted several minutes during which one soldier was shot and
seriously injured," Abdullahi told AFP by phone.

The assailants fled, but the army spokesman said several people were arrested in the aftermath of the
shooting.

Authorities have blamed a series of recent hit-and-run attacks in northern Nigeria on Boko Haram, whose
uprising was crushed in an offensive by Nigerian security forces.

The recent attacks have targeted policemen, local tribal chiefs, clerics and politicians. Security sources
said around 50 people have been killed over the past five months.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Borno State Police Claim To Arrest 170 Suspected Islamic Sect Members

AFP20101123598003 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 0329 GMT 23 Nov 10

[Unattributed report: "Police Arrest 170 in Sect-Linked Killings"]

No fewer than 170 suspected members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, have been arrested by the
police, the Borno state command of the Nigerian Police claimed yesterday.

The command had been rocked by hit-and-run killings linked to the Boko Haram members.

"So far, we have made over 170 arrests in connection with recent killings in the city and investigations are
ongoing to determine the culpability or otherwise of the suspects," the state police spokeman, Lawan
Abdullahi said.

Thirteen arrests were made within a week following last Friday's mosque gun attack that left three people
dead and killings of a policeman and that of a brother of a local traditional chief last week.

Early this month, the security forces said they were holding 152 suspected members of the sect.

Recent incidents blamed on the sect have included attacks on police stations, a prison raid in Bauchi and
shootings of police officers by motorcycle-riding gunmen.

Much of the violence has occurred in Borno State, whose capital Maiduguri was the centre of last year's
uprising. Troops have been deployed in the area in response.

Boko Haram means "Western education is sin" in the local Hausa dialect, though the sect has been known
by various names, including the Nigerian Taliban.
[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigeria: Report Says Islamist Sect Floods Troubled Northern City With Posters

AFP20101123683001 Lagos Punch on the Web in English 23 Oct 10

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram posters flood Borno"]

Boko Haram, the Muslim sect carrying out killings in the northern parts of the country, has issued new
threats, this time invoking al-Qaeda's North African branch, the Associated Press reported on Friday.

Posters by the Boko Haram sect appeared at key intersections in the city of Maiduguri this week, bearing
the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau, the group's de facto leader. The two top corners of the posters bore
a symbol of an opened Koran, flanked on each side by Kalashnikov assault rifles and a flag in the middle
- mirroring the logo of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

The message warned the public against assisting the police or going near soldiers guarding the town at
night. The message also acknowledged a recent reward offered for information leading to the arrest of
suspected sect members.

"Any Muslim that goes against the establishment of Sharia (law) will be attacked and killed," the message
read.

Boko Haram - which means 'Western education is sacrilege' in Hausa - has campaigned for the
implementation of strict Sharia law. A dozen states across Nigeria's north already have Sharia law in
place, though the area remains under the control of secular state governments.

The poster said it was from Shekau on behalf of "The Group of the People of Sunnah, Call and Jihad."

Police officers began removing the signs late on Wednesday.

"These publications and messages on Boko Haram activities are seditious and could jeopardise our
investigations into the four-month serial attacks and killings in the state," Borno State police
commissioner Mohammed Abubakar said on Thursday.
Authorities did not immediately comment on the use of the logos on the posters. Though the al-Qaeda
branch has distributed messages by Boko Haram before, it is unclear whether the two groups have any
operational links. The two groups also come from two different ethnic groups in northern Nigeria.

Boko Haram sect members rioted and attacked police stations and private homes in July 2009, sparking a
violent police and military crackdown. In total, 700 people died.

The sect largely went underground after the attack, though rumours began to spread two months ago that
the group was rearming. Last September, Boko Haram members attacked a federal prison in Bauchi,
freeing about 750 inmates - including imprisoned sect followers.

[Description of Source: Lagos Punch on the Web in English -- Website of the privately owned daily:
URL: http://www.punchng.com]

Nigeria: Borno State Inhabitants Fear To Inform Police on Islamist Sect

AFP20101129651007 Paris AFP (World Service) in French 29 Nov 10

[Unattributed report: "Nigeria: The Fear of Reprisal Impedes the Polkice Capture of Islamists"]

Kano (Nigeria), 29 Nov (AFP) - The fear of reprisals lived by the inhabitants in the north of Nigeria is
impeding the capture of the members of an Islamist sect, accused of being responsible for a series of
recent attacks in the north of Nigeria, declared the Nigerian police on 29 November.

The police of the northern state of Borno, whose capital Maiduguri was at the center of deadly uprising of
the Islamist sect Boko Haram in 2009 - encouraged, over the last weeks, their inhabitants to provide them
with information on the Islamists, but only two persons showed up.
"The situation is not encouraging because the inhabitants do not provide information which could help us
to discover the members of the Boko Haram sect and to put an end to the series of insane murders,"
declared the Borno State superintendent of police, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, to AFP

The Boko Haram sect is not only accused of a series of murders targeting police officers and local chiefs,
but also of attacks against police stations and a prison. According to security sources, about 50 persons
were killed over the last five months, many of them at Maiduguri, the capital of the Borno State.

"We understand that such reticence (of the inhabitants) does not express their support for the group (Boko
Haram), but rather a fear of attacks carried out against them if they cooperate with us. Our repeated
assurances that their identity would not be divulged have not sufficed," admitted Mr Abubakar.

Men suspected of belonging to the Boko Haram sect circulated tracts in Maiduguri, threatening to kill
anyone who provides information on their activities to the police.

The Boko Haram sect revolted in 2009 and fighting with forces of law and order was intensive in
Maiduguri, where its headquarters was destroyed, leading to more than 800 dead.

Boko Haram, which means in Hausa "western education is a sin," wants to institute a "pure" Islamic state.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in French -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamic Sect Reportedly Threatens to Kill Muslim Clerics

AFP20101202631021 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1416 GMT 02 Dec 10

KANO, Nigeria, Dec 2, 2010 (AFP) - An Islamist sect behind last year's bloody uprising in northern
Nigeria has threatened to kill Muslim clerics it accuses of backing a military crackdown on its members, a
religious group said Thursday.

"We are worried by recent death threats on clerics who are members of the Supreme Council for Sharia in
Nigeria from the Boko Haram sect which we take seriously," SCSN Secretary General Nafiu Baba
Ahmed told AFP.

The Kaduna-based SCSN is a pressure group of Muslim clerics and educated elite formed in 2000 in the
wake of the reintroduction of the strict Islamic sharia law in around a dozen northern states.

Ahmed said Boko Haram has been circulating audio CDs in the northern city of Kaduna against the
clerics, "threatening to kill them and their families" for allegedly supporting the military assault against
the sect during its rebellion last year.

"Going by what is happening in Maiduguri, where armed members of Boko Haram go into homes and
shoot dead perceived enemies at any time of day, we are really disturbed by this threat which we cannot
just dismiss," he said.

Boko Haram sect has been blamed for recent killings targeting police officers, local chiefs, clerics and
politicians as well as attacks on police stations and a prison in the region.

Security sources say around 50 people have been killed over the past five months, most of them in
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State and the epicentre of last year's uprising that claimed hundreds of
lives.

In October a radical Muslim cleric critical of Boko Haram's views was killed in his home along with his
students by gunmen suspected to be members of the militant sect.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Suspected Nigerian Islamists Reportedly Engage in Shootout With Soldiers 4 Dec

AFP20101205586017 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2128 GMT 04 Dec 10

KANO, Nigeria, Dec 4, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected members of an Islamist sect behind an armed uprising
last year in northern Nigeria engaged in a shootout with soldiers on Saturday, residents and police said.

Gunfire broke out in an area of the northern city of Maiduguri, the centre of last year's uprising, and was
suspected to involve sect members, police said.

Soldiers cordoned off the area, which is near the sect headquarters that now sits in ruins after being
destroyed in a police and military assault last year.

Residents reached by phone said they thought the 30-minute shootout was between soldiers and Boko
Haram sect members.

"We received reports of a shootout around Kofa Biyu, New Prison and Unguwar Shanu areas of the city,
but we don't have details yet," Borno state police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi told AFP by phone from
Maiduguri.

One resident said "some members of Boko Haram opened fire on the soldiers patrolling the area who
returned fire, and the shootout lasted for about 30 minutes."
It was unclear if there had been any casualties.

Sect members have been blamed for a series of recent attacks, including shootings of police officers and
raids on a prison and police stations.

Troops were deployed to Maiduguri after the recent upsurge in violence.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Kills Ward Head In Bauchi

AFP20101208667001 Kano Albishir in Hausa 27 Oct 10 3

A young man suspected to be a member of the notorious Boko Haram sect last Friday night killed a ward
head at Bauchi, Malam Muhammad Tukur. The young man was reported to have gone to the Mallam’s
house but was told that the Imam was still at Mosque and so he decided to follow him there. On his
arrival at the Mosque he glanced at the Imam and shot him twice through the back and the Imam died
instantly.

After pulling the trigger, the young man ran away crying out for help. At the sound of the gun shot people
around the area started running for safety and within a short period of time the area was silent. Later, a
neighbor to the decease came out in fear and called the police who took the dead body to the hospital for
investigation.
The decease’s neighbor, Malam Aliyu Jibo who called the police on phone, narrated to newsmen that
when the police arrived at the scene they carefully scrutinized the area to ensure that members of the sect
were not hiding in the neighborhood.

He explained that Mohammed Tukur was a poor and kind man of about 70 years of age and doesn’t
interfere in peoples’ affairs. He said the Boko Haram killed him because they suspect him to be an
informer to the police and other security agencies on their activities during the last sectarian crisis in the
state which led to the death of their leader, Malam Muhammad Yusuf.

He further explained that the decease knows the identity of one of the runaway prisoners in the state who
is also a member of the sect whose parents’ took back to the Bauchi prison after the jailbreak
masterminded by the Boko Haram in the state.

Another eyewitness of the incidence, Faisal Ahmad confirmed that there were ward heads who led the
security personnel in arresting the Boko Haram members following the last violent clash between the sect
members and security personnel in the state.

He explained that, late Malam Muhammad Tukur was mistaken for a ward head who led security
personnel to the houses of Boko Haram members not knowing that the man they were looking for have
already fled the state.

All effort to get the state’s commissioner of police, Danlami Yar’Adua was proved abortive.

Since the beginning of the serial killings, security personnel have remained silent on the issue, but it was
reported that there were intense security concern on the recurring violence in the state perpetrated by the
sect members and since then security personnel have redoubled efforts in patrolling at night to forestall
the ongoing killings, especially within the state metropolis.

[Description of Source: - Kano Albishir in Hausa-weekly newspaper published by the Kano State]
Nigeria: Boko Haram Attack Police Station In Yobe

AFP20101208667002 Kaduna Aminiya in Hausa 28 Oct 10 7

Suspected members of Boko Haram sect have attacked the police station at Bara, the headquarters of
Gulani local government area of Yobe State.

Report said there was exchange of gunfire between the police and the sect members for almost one and a
half hour. The report explained that no one was injured during the gun battle.

The Yobe State commissioner of police, Alhaji Mamman Sule who confirmed the incident while briefing
newsmen said the attacked was carried out at 1:45 am.

He further stated that the sect members arrived on motorcycles carrying sophisticated weapons including
different kinds of guns and explosives with many round of ammunitions. He said when the gunmen
arrived at the station they opened fire which draw the attention of the officers on duty and they
immediately brought out their own weapons and engaged the attackers in a gun fight.

The commissioner added that during the gun battle, the attackers threw an explosive at the station
intending to burn it down which failed to detonate, they were subsequently overpowered and they
hurriedly climbed their motorcycles and fled. He said in spite of the long drown battle no life was lost, no
casualty and none of the attackers was arrested.

The commissioner therefore commended the efforts of his men at the Bara station for discharging their
duties diligently without fear. He also assured the general public in the state that his men will remain
battle-ready in its determination to protect their lives and property at all times. He also urged the general
public to always give his men their maximum cooperation by reporting any act of the members of the
Boko Haram on time so as to take proper action.

[Description of Source: Kaduna Aminiya in Hausa - privately owned pro-north weekly newspaper]

Nigeria: Police Chief Highlights Measures to Stop Islamic Sect's Activities

AFP20101216686005 Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English 14 Dec 10 p 11

[Unattributed report: "Borno Police Chief Outlines Strategies to Contain Boko Haram Activities"]

The Borno State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Jinjiri, has ascribed the lack of vital information
from members of the public as well as the guerilla warfare tactics being deployed by outlawed members
of the Boko Haram as reasons the wanton killing of people by the sect members could not be stopped in
the state.

The police chief who admitted the frustration of the security agencies while parading the corpses of two
notorious armed robbers recently gunned down by the police in the neighboring Bama local government
area of the state, said the police particularly have been trying its best but its effort were not being
complemented by the members of the public who rather fear for their lives.
He noted that the effort of the police was meeting a brick wall because the sect members, who he
described as terrorists, have resorted to guerilla warfare, a tactics he said even the NATO finds difficult to
tackle in Afghanistan and other terrorist nations.

"What we have here is a terrorist group in the name of Islamic fundamentalists who have resorted to
guerrilla warfare; we all know guerrilla war tactic is the most difficult kind of war to fight; even the
NATO in Afghanistan is finding it difficult to tackle terrorists using guerrilla-style warfare. It is not that
the Borno State police command is incapable of handling these zealots, but it is because of the guerrilla
war tactics they have been deploying, and if the members of the public cannot give us relevant
information there is no way we can know where they are operating from."

Jinjiri noted that when members of Boko Haram were dislodged last year, some of them escaped with
weapons, hence their courage to stage a comeback and fight members of the public. He also stated that
the state police command had published several phone numbers through which it could be contacted by
members of the public who have information about the sect members, but lamented that no one had taken
advantage of this except one individual in the state.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English -- Rivers State owned daily]

Nigeria: Locals Accuse Troops of Brutality During Raids on Radical Islamic Sect

AFP20101224564007 Nairobi UN Integrated Regional Information Network in English 22 Dec 10

[Unattributed report: "Nigeria: Troops Accused of Abuses in Raids on Islamic Sect"]

Residents of the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri say soldiers and policemen have brutalized citizens,
made arbitrary arrests and stolen money and belongings in raids meant to capture members of a radical
Islamic sect.

The charges come more than a year after a deadly crackdown on the sect, known as Boko Haram, in the
same city, during which human rights groups say innocent people were shot dead.

The military earlier this year deployed a task force - dubbing the action "Operation Flush" - to combat
sect members, but residents of Maiduguri (the Borno State capital) said troops broke into homes and
arbitrarily arrested males, often demanding money from those arrested in exchange for release.

On 9 December, residents said, soldiers stormed homes in Zinnari neighbourhood and arrested 60 men;
the raid came shortly after an attack by suspected Islamic militants in which a military patrol vehicle was
burnt.

"Scores of gun-toting soldiers and policemen moved from door to door shortly after the attack, beating
and arresting young men they accused of involvement," Hashidu Idris, a resident of the neighbourhood,
told IRIN.

A resident who did not want to be named for fear of harassment said his arm was broken when soldiers
beat him in a raid on his house on 9 December; he said he spent two days in detention without medical
attention.

In the Jajere neighbourhood residents said troops had robbed families during a raid.

"Soldiers broke into homes waking people up, seizing money and cell phones," Jajere resident Sherif
Bukari said. "It is unfortunate that the people deployed to protect us have turned against us."

Musa Kyari, a resident of the Bulunkutu Dala area of the city, said he and scores of other residents
arrested in the operation had to pay US$133 each to be released from police custody.

Abuse allegations rejected

Military and police officials in Maiduguri confirmed the raids but denied allegations of abuse by security
operatives. They said part of the challenge of finding sect members was that people were afraid to talk.

"The military launched raids on neighbourhoods suspected to be harbouring Boko Haram militants ?
several people were arrested for interrogation, but allegations of abuse by soldiers are false," Abubakar
Abdullahi, military spokesman in Maiduguri, told IRIN.

"We always investigate such claims and usually find them to be untrue. Our men conduct raids
professionally in accordance with military ethics and hand over suspects to the police for investigation as
required by law."

The raids are necessary because residents are not willing to report on sect members in their midst, Borno
State police commissioner Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar said.

"We have no option but to raid any neighbourhood where security personnel are attacked, because
residents are not willing to report on [the offenders]."

He added: "We understand [residents'] reluctance is out of fear that the group would attack them if they
cooperate with us, despite our repeated assurances that their identities would be protected."

The fear is warranted. After the Borno State government offered a cash reward to any resident providing
information to help the authorities find Boko Haram members, the sect distributed flyers in the city
threatening to kill any resident who provided such information to police.

Maiduguri resident Madugu Hamidu said several local chiefs were killed for helping police fight the
Islamic group last year.

Protection of rights

Human rights monitors say the military task force's actions have created a "climate of fear".

"It is unacceptable that the Operation Flush task force should act without restraint," Shehu Sani, director
of a leading rights group in northern Nigeria, Civil Rights Congress, said in a 14 December statement.
"They must resist the temptation of violating the rights of citizens under the guise of fighting religious
fanatics."

"We understand the imperative to maintain law and order and safeguard peace and security in Maiduguri
against religious violence and extremism but it must be done within the ambit of the law and respect for
the constitutional rights of the citizenry," Sani said.

Residents with grievances from the recent raids said they had little hope of getting justice. As with the
man with the broken arm, most are afraid to report abuses by security forces. They also said that as there
has been no punishment for alleged indiscriminate killings during last year's major crackdown, people did
not expect to get far with charges of theft, beatings and arbitrary arrests.

[Description of Source: Nairobi UN Integrated Regional Information Network in English -- Website of

the nonprofit, donor-supported news service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs, the Integrated Regional Information Network. Focuses on political, economic and social issues
affecting humanitarian efforts; URL: http://www.irinnews.org/]

Christmas Eve Church Attacks, Blasts Kill 14 in Nigeria

FEA20101225012767 - OSC Feature - AFP (World Service) 1130 GMT 25 Dec 10

["Christmas Eve church attacks, blasts kill 14 in Nigeria" -- AFP headline; For assistance with multimedia
elements, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800) 205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.]

JOS, Nigeria, Dec 25, 2010 (AFP) - A series of Christmas Eve church attacks and explosions have left at
least 14 people dead in Nigeria as authorities worked Saturday to prevent a new wave of religious
violence.
The situation was especially tense in the central city of Jos, where explosions on Friday evening left at
least eight people dead. The region has been previously hit by sectarian unrest that has killed hundreds
this year.

In the city of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria, suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an
uprising last year attacked three churches, leaving six people dead and one of the churches burnt, an army
spokesman said.

There was no immediate indication the incidents in the vast country's north and central regions were
linked.

Police sought to calm the situation in Jos as some residents reported that a gang of youths had barricaded
a road leading to an area where one blast occurred and had set about five vehicles ablaze.

"The situation is tense now and we just want to pacify the people," state police spokesman Mohammed
Lerama told AFP, refusing to comment further.

A national police spokesman has said at least eight people were killed in an explosion on Friday night in
Jos, but the state information commissioner and residents have reported several blasts.

The commissioner, Gregory Yenlong, also reported some 20 dead, but police cast doubt on the
information.

Police say they have not determined the cause, but Yenlong said there had been rumours of attacks aimed
at disrupting Christmas celebrations in recent days.

Local media attributed the explosions to bombs and death tolls varied widely.

Jos is in the so-called middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly
Christian south and has long been a hotspot of ethnic and religious friction in Nigeria.

Local rights groups say 1,500 people have died in inter-communal violence in the Jos region this year
alone.
Many observers say the violence has resulted from politicians stoking ethnic divisions in a local struggle
for power.

The Maiduguri attacks in the north were the latest violence blamed on the sect known as Boko Haram,
behind an uprising last year that ended with a police and military assault which left hundreds dead.

Sect members have been blamed for a series of attacks in recent months, including shootings of police
officers and community leaders as well as raids on police posts and a prison.

"In an attack on a Baptist church in Alamderi area, five worshippers including a pastor of the church were
killed by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram," Lieutenant Abubakar Abdullahi said.

In another area of the city, a security guard was killed when suspected sect members attacked another
church, he said.

Soldiers managed to repel a third attack on a church in Maiduguri, with no one reported killed in that
incident.

He said the Baptist church was burnt down, along with the house of the pastor next to it.

Nigeria will hold elections in April and observers have warned of an increase in violence as the polls
approach.

In addition to violence in the Jos region and in the north, militants in the oil-producing Niger Delta have
carried out scores of attacks in recent years, including kidnappings of foreign oil workers and sabotage of
pipelines.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country with 150 million people and one of the world's largest oil
producers.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Christmas Eve Attacks Kill at Least 38 in Jos

AFP20101225670007 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1414 GMT 25 Dec 10

[Corrected version: adding 'Terrorism', 'Urgent' tags. " Christmas Eve attacks kill at least 38 in Nigeria" --
AFP headline]

JOS, Nigeria, Dec 25, 2010 (AFP) - A series of unprecedented Christmas Eve bomb blasts and attacks on
churches have left at least 38 people dead in Nigeria as authorities worked Saturday to keep the violence
from spreading.

Seven explosions went off in two different areas of the flashpoint city of Jos in central Nigeria, killing 32
people and injuring 74, many of them as they were doing their Christmas shopping, police said.

In the city of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria, suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an
uprising last year attacked three churches, leaving six people dead and one of the churches burnt, an army
spokesman said.

There was no immediate indication the incidents in the vast country's north and central regions were
linked.

The situation was especially tense in Jos, which has been previously hit by sectarian unrest that many
observers say has been stoked by politics and which has killed hundreds this year.

Police sought to calm the situation after some residents reported that a gang of youths had barricaded a
road leading to an area where one blast occurred and had set about five vehicles ablaze.

"We lost 32 and 74 were injured," Plateau state police commissioner Abdulrahman Akano said.
Previous violence in the region has often involved inter-communal clashes and reprisals, and the
explosions marked a dramatic turn in the situation.

"This is the very first time explosives of this magnitude are involved," said Akano.

Police had not determined who was behind the blasts, he said, adding it appeared dynamite was used.

"People were doing their shopping," he said of the areas where the explosions went off. "The place
targeted had all kinds of people there -- Muslims, non-Muslims."

Jos, the capital of Plateau state, is in the so-called middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim
north and the mainly Christian south and has long been a hotspot of ethnic and religious friction in
Nigeria.

Local rights groups say 1,500 people have died in inter-communal violence in the Jos region this year
alone.

"The aim of the mastermind is to pit Christians against Muslims and spark off another round of violence
that will eventually culminate in the scuttling of the ongoing electioneering activities," Plateau state
governor Jonah David Jang said in an address carried on local television.

Elections are set for April in Nigeria and observers have warned of an increase in violence as the polls
approach.

The Maiduguri attacks in the north were the latest violence blamed on the sect known as Boko Haram,
behind an uprising last year that ended with a police and military assault which left hundreds dead.

Sect members have been blamed for a series of attacks in recent months, including shootings of police
officers and community leaders as well as raids on police posts and a prison.

"In an attack on a Baptist church in Alamderi area, five worshippers including a pastor of the church were
killed by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram," Lieutenant Abubakar Abdullahi said.
In another area of the city, a security guard was killed when suspected sect members attacked another
church, he said.

Soldiers managed to repel a third attack on a church in Maiduguri, with no one reported killed in that
incident.

He said the Baptist church was burnt down, along with the house of the pastor next to it.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and one of the world's largest oil producers, faces tremendous
challenges in organising the April elections and is seeking to overcome a history of vote fraud and
violence.

In addition to violence in the Jos region and in the north, militants in the oil-producing Niger Delta have
carried out scores of attacks in recent years, including kidnappings of foreign oil workers and sabotage of
pipelines.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Islamic Sect Website Claims Nigeria Bombings

AFP20101228651009 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1133 GMT 28 Dec 10

["Islamist Sect Website Claims Nigerian Bombings" -- AFP headline]

LAGOS, Dec 28, 2010 (AFP) - A website purported to belong to an Islamist sect has claimed
responsibility for Christmas Eve bombings in central Nigeria that left dozens dead, but police on Tuesday
cast doubt on the claim.

"O nations of the world, be informed that verily the attacks in Suldaniyya (Jos) and Borno on the eve of
Christmas was carried out by us, Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, under the leadership of
Abu Muhammad, Abubakar bin Muhammad Shekau (May Allah preserve him)," a statement on the site
said.

The attacks were meant "to start avenging the atrocities committed against Muslims in those areas, and
the country in general. Therefore we will continue with our attacks on disbelievers and their allies and all
those who help them ..."

Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad translates roughly to "People Committed to the Prophet's
Teachings for Propagation and Jihad."

Suspected members of the sect known as Boko Haram, which launched an uprising in Nigeria last year,
have previously said they want to be known as a group that goes by that name.

Shekau, the name mentioned in the statement, is the suspected Boko Haram leader. Video of a man
believed to be Shekau speaking in the Hausa language has also been posted on the website.

The address for the website had been given in a video that emerged earlier this year purportedly from sect
members.

Abdulrahman Akano, police commissioner for Plateau state, where Jos is the capital, cast doubt on the
claim.

"Anybody can post anything on the Internet," he said, adding that the bomb blasts were not the usual
method used by Boko Haram, which has been blamed for series of attacks in northern Nigeria in recent
months.
A series of Christmas Eve bomb blasts in the central Nigerian city of Jos and reprisals killed at least 80
people, Nigeria's emergency agency said.

Also on Friday, suspected Islamist sect members attacked three churches in the northern Nigerian city of
Maiduguri, in Borno state, killing six people and leaving one church burnt.

The statement on the website also claimed responsibility for the church attacks.

Police have said there appeared to be no link between the incidents in the vast country's north and central
regions, though the bombings marked the first time explosives had been used to such an extent in the Jos
area.

Jos is in the so-called middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly
Christian south and has long been a hotspot of ethnic and religious friction in Nigeria.

Many attribute the unrest in Jos to the struggle for economic and political power between the Christian
Beroms, seen as the indigenous ethnic group in the region, and the Hausa-Fulani Muslims, viewed as the
more recent arrivals.

The Islamist sect known as Boko Haram launched an uprising last year in Nigeria's north that ended with
a brutal police and military assault which left hundreds dead.

Sect members have been blamed for a series of recent attacks, including shootings of police officers and
community leaders, as well as raids on police posts and a prison in the north.

The attacks come ahead of elections set for April.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Article Says Islamist Group Strikes with Sophisticated Weapons

AFP20101228683001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 21 Oct 10

[Unattributed report: "The Boko Haram Onslaught"]

THE band of religious extremists known as the Boko Haram struck again in Maiduguri, Borno State
capital on Monday, October 11, 2010. The fanatics bombed the Gamboru Police Station and fired shots at
the officers on duty, leaving four policemen with varying degrees of injury. The attack was a continuation
of the serial killings by members of the group in recent months.

IT was in July last year that the notorious Boko Haram sect manifested itself as a potent threat to national
security. The group attacked churches, mosques, police stations as well as public and private buildings.
This triggered a police and military crackdown in which between 800 and 1,000 lives were lost. More
than 120 of the fundamentalists were subsequently arrested and detained in Bauchi prison. Early last
month, September -- the fanatics launched a highly-coordinated reprisal attack on Bauchi Prison. With
assault rifles and other sophisticated weapons, they completely overwhelmed the prison guards and other
security personnel. They set the prison ablaze and killed a soldier, a policeman, two prison guards and a
civilian. They set free more than 750 inmates including members of their sect.

IT should be a matter of great concern that religious extremism and the usual aftermath -- sectarian
violence -- is fast becoming an integral but avoidable part of Nigeria's national character. Previous bands
of religious fanatics that disturbed the peace in the past were resolutely suppressed if not totally liquidated
when the government clamped down on them. The Boko Haram is threatening to be an exception and
indeed an institution that wants to exist and operate on its own terms. This is attributable to the failure of
the government to take a decisive action. So it was in the recurring violence in Jos. The repeated slaughter
on a large scale that took place in Jos would not have taken place if the hoodlums initially arrested had
not been taken to Abuja instead of being promptly brought to justice. They were later released as if they
had done nothing wrong and this enabled them to return to the tin city to unleash another round of
mayhem on the people.

THE manner in which the government has been handling the Boko Haram sect leaves so much to be
desired. When this dangerous sect began its violent campaign of religious bigotry, its nefarious activities
spread like wildfire across four states in a matter of days. The late President Umaru Yar'Adua ordered an
investigation into the atrocities perpetrated by the fanatics. Nothing was again heard about it. In our
editorial of August 18, 2009, we called for a full scale judicial inquiry into the operations of the sect
because we believed and still believe that there is more to the band of extremists than meet the eye.
IT has for long been in the public domain that connivance or outright collusion on the part of some people
in positions of authority has been a contributory factor to the unceasing occurrence of the avoidable orgy
of violence. The leader of the group, the late Mohammed Yusuf, had in the past been arrested and charged
to court. For reasons only known to those involved, the security agents slated to testify against him failed
to show up in the law court. He was subsequently set free in spite of the mass of evidence available
against him. It has also been publicly stated that before the sect embarked on the violent phase of its
activities, security agencies had provided intelligence reports that a religious uprising was in the offing
but nothing was done to nip it in the bud. It was well known that members of the group had been
flagrantly disobeying the law but nothing was done to check their excesses allegedly because of their
connection with people in high places. There have been allegations that top government officials are
among the sect's sources of funding and that these officials have been shielding its members from
appropriate sanctions for their lawless conduct.

THE leader of the group, Mohammed Yusuf, was not killed in a shoot-out as was claimed. He was
arrested in a goat pen by a team of military men and handed over to the police. How could a man in police
custody have come by a loaded gun with which he engaged the police in a shoot-out? It was a clear case
of extra-judicial execution. One of the deputies of Yusuf who was a former commissioner in Borno State,
Buji Foi, was reported to be one of the financiers of the maniacal group. He was also summarily executed.

EACH time precious lives are wantonly wasted, the government gives an assurance that no stone will be
left unturned in bringing the culprits to justice. More often than not, nothing is done until another incident
occurs in the cycle of violence. This should stop. All those closely or remotely connected with these
diabolic religionists should be identified and brought to book. The sect should be totally vanquished so
that innocent people may no longer die or suffer. The existence of such a group should be seen as an
embarrassment to this country. Its philosophy that western education is sacrilege is senseless and crazy.
The guns and bombs its members use to commit murder, the cars, the television and radio sets and other
objects of comfort and sustenance that its leaders use are all products of western civilisation. The media
organisations to which they have been granting interviews are western institutions. Theirs is a life of
hypocrisy and humbug that borders on psychopathy. Their onslaught on society should be ruthlessly
repelled. They do not belong to this age.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
Nigeria: Islamic Clerics in Plateau Disown Group's Claim on Jos Serial Blasts

AFP20101229565005 Lagos This Day Online in English 28 Dec 10

[Report by Seriki Adinoyi and Omololu Ogunmade: "Jos Bombings: Islamic Clerics Disown Group"]

The Council of Ulama (Islamic clerics) in Plateau State has disowned the claim by Jama'atu Ahlus-
Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, the previously unknown group that took responsibility for the Christmas
Eve multiple bombings in Jos.

Spokesman of the Ulama, Alhaji Sani Mudi, said in a telephone interview yesterday: "I don't think it's a
credible group or that it has any link with an established Islamic organisation either in Jos or in
Maiduguri."

He said there were "a lot of things" wrong with the way the group worded their statement, especially the
opening sentence.

Mudi said: "Though I've not been able to open the website, from what I saw in the newspaper I read,
Muslims don't start the greetings in the way the group was quoted by the papers.

"Muslims don't say 'In the name of God the mighty' but would always say 'In the Name of Allah the Most
Beneficent the Most Merciful', and we don't believe that the website is genuine. The opening sentence
does not reflect something that is truly Islamic."

He, however, said whether the website was genuine or not, the bombings were condemnable and
irresponsible, adding: "We call on security agents and government to get to the root of the matter."

Meanwhile, the website of the Islamic group - http://mansoorah.net - could not be accessed by last night
as it had been closed abruptly.

But there was pandemonium in Jos yesterday following a clash between men of the Special Task Force
(STF) and youths of Gada-Biu in Jos North Local Government area of the state following the alleged
shooting of two youths by the STF.
Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that the statement of the group was a
confirmation that Boko Haram was responsible for the bombings.

They marched to the state Police Command chanting anti-STF songs and were later pacified by the state
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulrahaman Akano, who pleaded with them to be calm as the police
would look into their grievance.

Akano later told newsmen that a soldier was in the custody of the police but did not mention if he was one
of those who shot at the youths.

Activities which were already picking up in Jos went down again as a result of the renewed
pandemonium.

Speaking with THISDAY, the CAN Chairman for North-central, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said the statement of
the "Jihad group" confirmed the speculation that Boko Haram was responsible for the explosions.

The cleric said the game plan of the perpetrators was to provoke the Christians to react in a negative and
tempt them to fight the Muslims, so that there could be full scale crisis again in the state.

He appealed to "all the good people of the state and Nigeria" to condemn the current act of terrorism
gradually gaining ground in the country, adding that the government should be alive to its responsibilities.

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has made a passionate appeal to leaders in the country to desist from
making hasty comments about the Jos crisis, saying such comments were capable of reversing the already
achieved peace and progress in the state.

Jang said those making such hasty comments about the unfortunate situation in the state might turn out to
be the cause of the problems after the outcome of investigation, adding that there was the need by all to
exercise restraint and be more progressive with their utterances.

He further appealed to the people of the state to eschew any act of violence, saying the state had had
enough of such and needed a peaceful atmosphere to forge ahead and catch up with other developed states
in the country.
He commended the security agencies in the state for containing the crisis, adding that their dedication to
peace deserved commendation.

Also, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dame Pauline Tallen, through her campaign organisation has
joined other dissenting voices in condemning the bomb blasts.

In Lagos yesterday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, and CAN Presiden t,
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, alleged that the Jos blasts were politically motivated.

The duo spoke at a world press conference under the aegis of Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC)
co-chaired by the two religious leaders.

Abubakar, who said he had evidence to affirm his opinion that the bombings were political, made
references to an advertorial in a national daily where he said a group was accusing certain politicians of
masterminding the violence.

"When I say it is political, I mean it," the Sultan said, lamenting that it is wicked and cruel for some
individuals to destroy other people's lives in their pursuit of selfish objectives.

"Why use human lives to achieve your goals?" he asked, saying he deliberately declined to mention
names of suspects in the crisis as he appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to expedite action on
suggestions made to him during the recent meeting of NIREC with him on how to find lasting peace and
promptly proffer solution to the protracted crisis rocking Jos and Maiduguri.

He insisted that the crisis in the North is being masterminded by a few disgruntled elements whose
ultimate drive is to create confusion and urged the Federal Government to decisively punish perpetrators
of these heinous crimes. He said violence persists in the country because perpetrators always go
unpunished.

"We have come together to ensure peace. Government must fish them out and deal with them whoever
they are. If the government can be punishing people who do this thing, there will be a change. We must
say the truth if we must get to the root of our problems in this country," the Sultan said.

Echoing the Sultan, Oritsejafor said the Jos bombings were both political and religious, lamenting that
some politicians exploit the weak points of the unsuspected masses to perpetrate dastardly acts in order to
suit their selfish interests.
He said such politicians do so because they do not want this country to be established on a solid
foundation and hence do all they could to make the country ungovernable.

He also insisted that punishing perpetrators of violence is the only act that could offer a lasting solution to
this menace.

"What happened in Jos was definitely political but it has a strong dose of religious colouration. I believe
that politicians know the weaknesses of our people. They know how to manipulate their beliefs and they
know the part of the country where people react easily. Look at what happened in Maiduguri. A pastor
was killed, churches were burnt and the gateman who resisted was killed. There are people who don't
want this country to stand firm as a nation. There are politicians who don't want elections. They want to
make Nigeria ungovernable, to complicate issues in this nation. It is true that lives were lost, women were
made widows and children made orphans.

"We are saying that the solution is not violence. I join His Eminence to speak to our government. When
anybody kills, he has committed a crime. It is because people are not brought to book that this problem
keeps occurring. We are asking our government to send experts and go and fish out people who are
involved and bring them to justice. The moment somebody is jailed, you will begin to see a decline. You
don't take another person's life and go free. You don't burn worship places and properties and go free,"
Oritsejafor said.

He accused the security agents of failing in what he described as intelligence gathering, adding that
despite the fact that they had information about the recent violence in Maiduguri and Jos, they failed to do
their job very well by investigating the information at their disposal with a view to averting the crises.

The CAN president for asked the Federal Government to increase the presence of security agents
especially in Plateau State.

NIREC also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maximize the
opportunity at its disposal to ensure the delivery of free and fair polls, saying never in Nigeria's hist ory
have Nigerians "been unanimous about the stainlessness of INEC members as they are presently
constituted".

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdayonline.com]
Suspected Members of Boko Haram Islamist Sect Kill 8 in Northern Nigeria

AFP20101230648021 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1538 GMT 30 Dec 10

["Suspected Islamists kill eight in northern Nigeria: army" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Dec 30, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected Islamists killed eight people, including three
policemen, in five separate attacks in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the military and police said
Thursday.

The gunmen were suspected of being members of the Boko Haram sect, army spokesman lieutenant
Abubakar Abdullahi told AFP by telephone from the city.

The sect launched an uprising in Nigeria's north last year that ended with a police and military assault
which left hundreds dead.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Security Operatives Arrest 92 Suspected Islamic Sect Members in Borno

AFP20110101598003 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 31 Dec 10

[Report by Odita Sunday and Njadvara Musa: "Security Operatives Arrest Boko Haram's Financier, 91
Others"]

After a four-hour gun battle with suspected members of Boko Haram, the joint police/military taskforce
yesterday arrested an alleged financier of the group, Alhaji Bunu Wakil and 91 other persons.

Also, in Lagos, the state police commissioner, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo assured that members of Boko
Haram would not be able to operate in the state.

The Borno State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar, told The Guardian on Saturday in a
telephone interview on Thursday night that the arrests were made between the hours of 9 p.m. and 11
p.m. at the suspects' various hideouts in Maiduguri.

He said the arrests were made after a very fierce gun battle with the armed members, and that the
policemen and soldiers chased them to their respective hideouts. He said most of them lived among
residents of Maiduguri, who were very much ignorant of the activities and motives of the outlawed Boko
Haram sect against security personnel and state government.

He said before their arrests, the police and soldiers had to rely on some individuals that volunteered to
give information on the hideouts and activities of the feared sect.

He said it took the collective efforts of policemen and soldiers on foot and vehicles to smash the over
two-dozen hideouts of sect members.

With the arrest of the suspects, including their financiers, the police will continue with the stop and search
exercise and the restrictions placed on the movement of motorcycles and taxis.

He said all the arrested suspects were conveyed last night to Abuja for interrogation and further
investigation, until the brains behind the Moslem sect are uncovered by the police to restore peace and
security of lives and property in the metropolis and Northeast sub-region of the country.
Akpoyibo, told reporters in Lagos: "I don't want anybody to spread rumours in Lagos and cause
unnecessary panic. We have no Boko Haram in Lagos State. I don't want anybody to invent something
that is strange, destructive and scaring. We should abandon rumour mongering. In Lagos, we are peace-
loving people, we don't believe in destruction of lives and properties. So, if such things happen elsewhere,
it does not follow that it must happen in Lagos. We are very security conscious, every Lagosian's eyes are
open."

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) had raised the alarm over an alleged infiltration of the Mile 12
Market in Lagos by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The OPC Founder, Dr. Frederick Fasheun had narrated how a minor disagreement between two executive
members in the market, Alhaji Haruna Muhammed and Alhaji Ibrahim Mamuda, led to an invasion of the
market by members of the sect on December 6, during which over 20 people were injured.

According to the OPC leader, the Boko Haram members (allegedly linked to one of the two warring
market leaders, Mamuda) attacked those loyal to the other party, Muhammed first at midnight on
December 6, with machetes, swords and other dangerous weapons. They returned the following night to
burn down the old office of the union located inside the market.

Fasheun implored the Lagos State government and other security agencies in the state to beef up security
at the market to avoid inter-tribal clash that occurred in the market seven years ago when the Hausa and
the Yoruba clashed.

"We know the importance of this market to the economic development of the South-West. Besides, the
market is on the soil of the South-West Nigeria, and we have to avert what happened then and protect the
interest of the market women and men in there," he said.

The Lagos police boss also noted that his officers and men were prepared to ensure a hitch-free voter
registration exercise in the state.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]
Four Killed, 26 Injured in Abuja Bomb Attack

AFP20110101650002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1312 GMT 01 Jan 11

[["Four killed, 26 injured in Abuja bomb attack " -- AFP headline]]

ABUJA, Jan 1, 2011 (AFP) - A bomb ripped through a crowded market on the edge of an Abuja military
barracks on New Year's Eve killing four people and wounding 26 others, 11 of them seriously, the
defence minister said Saturday.

"As at this moment, four people died from the blast, including a pregnant woman. Twenty-six others were
injured, 11 of them seriously," Adetokunbo Kayode said at the scene of the explosion.

It is the second such attack in three months in the Nigerian capital and the first explosion near an army
barracks in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.

Kayode, a lawyer, promised a "thorough investigation" and said the attackers would be severely punished.

"I suspect nobody but I assure you that we will go through a very thorough, deep investigation...Anybody
that is involved in this will be tracked down and will be made to face the full wrath of the law," he said.

All the dead and most of the injured are civilians, the minister told reporters after being briefed by
security and health officials.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in a statement from his office, immediately denounced the barracks attack
as "new and dangerous challenge to our peace and stability."

Speaking at a New Year church service on Saturday, Jonathan vowed to rid the country of terrorists.
"For us to get where we want to go as a nation, we will have our obstacles. These explosives and
explosions are part of the road bumps that are being placed but God will see us through," he said.

"They will never stop Nigeria from where we are going to, we must work and reproduce a country...where
there will be no space for terrorists, a country where there will be no bombers and people with explosives
to deter us," he added.

The bomb went off around 7:pm (1800 GMT) at a popular eating and drinking spot on the fringes of the
Mogadishu barracks, located in a heavily fortified area of the city.

There have been no claims of responsibility so far.

"This is a new kind of crime that has just surfaced," chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin
said, while visiting the site.

The blast site was cordoned off on Saturday morning and dozens of security officials, including soldiers,
either stood guard or patrolled the area.

"It's unfortunate that some people planted a bomb where people were relaxing," Petirin said.

"It's the same type of incident we had in Jos," said Petirin, referring to the multiple blasts in the central
city of Jos that killed more than 80 people on Christmas Eve.

An Islamic sect calling itself Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad has claimed responsibility
for the Christmas Eve attacks in Jos.

Jos which lies in the so-called middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim north and the
mainly Christian south, and capital of Plateau state, has long been a hotspot for ethnic and religious
friction.

Boko Haram, which launched an uprising in Nigeria last year, had previously said it wanted to be known
as a group that goes by that name.
Police in northern Nigeria on Thursday said they had arrested 92 suspected Boko Haram members,
including a man in his 70s they believe is the main financier of the group's activities.

The latest attack was the second in the federal administrative capital in three months. Twin bomb attacks
killed 12 people during Independence Day festivities on October 1.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigeria, an armed militant group in the oil-rich region, said it
carried out the Independence Day blasts.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Al Jazeera.net: Many Dead in Nigeria Market Blast

GMP20110102966234 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 1811 GMT 02 Jan 11

["Many Dead in Nigeria Market Blast" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(AL JAZEERA NET) -

Four people have been killed and injured 13 in an explosion at a beer garden in Nigeria's capital Abuja,
state television has reported.

The blast occurred in the Sani Abacha army barracks, a busy area where people meet to eat and shop.

The base includes market stalls and beer parlours referred to locally as a "mammy market".

A local police spokesperson said the blast occurred at 1830 GMT on Friday.

A witness said he was approaching the market to join New Year's Eve celebrations when he heard the
explosion."People ran in different directions. There were scores of bodies - dead and wounded. They used
army trucks to pack them away," Eric, who regularly uses the market, said.

Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian president, has said that a "faceless" group is responsible for the attack.

He has linked it to bombings on December 24 in the central city of Jos, which sparked a week of
violence.At least 80 people were killed in ensuing violence between Christian and Muslim
residents.Friday's attack came as police detained 92 suspected members of the Islamic Boko Haram
group.

Debate over death toll

An anchor on the state-run Nigerian Television Authority gave a death toll of 30 to viewers Friday night.

But a local police spokesman immediately disputed the figure, saying four people had died and 13 were
wounded.

Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege, reporting from Abuja, said the attack had struck people who had gathered for
dinner and drinks to welcome the new year.

"When the explosion ripped through the market, as you can imagine, it sent people scattering," she said.
"Now the question really is ... what could've motivated this attack, who could've been behind it".
The military have been "extremely guarded" in what information they have so far released about the
attack.

While some point the finger at Boko Haram, others believe that the bombing may be connected to the
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which claims to be fighting for a Nigeria to have a
greater share of its oil wealth, Ndege said.A police spokesman said on Friday that Boko Haram, which is
thought to oppose Western education and culture, was behind the deaths of at least 16 people in three
attacks this week in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Nigeria was also rocked by car bomb attacks in
Abuja in October, for which responsibility was claimed by a group opposing the government in the oil-
producing Niger Delta, where there has been a recent resurgence in violence.

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]

Nigeria: 'Suspected' Islamic Sect Members Attempt 'Jailbreak' in Adamawa State

AFP20110105581009 Lagos This Day Online in English 04 Jan 11

[Report by Matthew Onah: "Riot as Boko Haram Sect Members Attempt Jailbreak in Yola"]

At least 10 prison officials narrowly escaped being lynched on early today when some prisoners
attempting jailbreak started a riot at the Jimeta Prisons, Adamawa State.

The prisoners suspected to be members of the religious fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, had attacked
some officials of the prison, including the officer in charge, immediately after the early morning roll call.
The officer in charge of the prison, Mohammed Gwami, who was among those attacked, told journalists
that he was in the prison yard for his routine check when all of a sudden the inmates started protesting and
throwing stones and sticks at him and other officials and refusing to go back to their cells.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Police Pledge To Arrest Perpetrators of Abuja Bomb Blasts 'Soon'

AFP20110105565010 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 04 Jan 11

[Report by Terhemba Daka, Seye Olumide and Ayoyinka Olagoke: "Police Claim Clues, Search for
Blasts Masterminds Continues"]

Claiming to have stumbled on a clue about the New Year's Eve bomb blasts at the Mogadishu Barracks in
Abuja, police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] yesterday said the perpetrators would
soon be arrested and prosecuted.

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 7 Command, Felix Ogbaudu, who spoke to
reporters after the opening of a three-day workshop for police officers in Abuja, said the clues which will
lead to the arrest of those behind the blasts and their sponsors were gotten through collaboration of
Nigerian security agencies and their foreign partners.

The development came as the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), a pan Yoruba organisation, and a senator
from Akwa Ibom State, Aloysius Etok called on Presidency, the National Assembly and all security
agents to take urgent step to arrest the state of insecurity in the nation.

The ARG which renewed its call for holding of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and restructuring
of the country, decried the current downturn on the political scene, "occasioned by unbridled violence
being unleashed on the innocent and the hapless Nigerians", saying something urgent must be done to
tackle insecurity as the nation moves close to general elections.

In a statement yesterday issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary Kunle Famoriyo, the group said the
machinery of government seemed to have been hijacked by those who do not want peace and progress of
the country.

According to him, "ARG has noted with sadness the abysmal level to which politics and service delivery
in the country has fallen, considering the characters of individuals in charge. It is a clear departure from
what used to obtain in the glorious years of regional governance of the 1950s and the early 1960s in
Nigeria."

He added that the spate of bombings across the country is a sad situation that has led to the loss of
innocent lives and destruction of property. "Needless to remind Nigerians of the recent mayhem in Jos,
Bayelsa, Abuja, and, lately, Ibadan, Oyo State, and other parts of the country! All these have no doubt
further demeaned us as a people and a nation."

The group added: "Without any iota of doubt, this needless and senseless disruption of the country's
fragile peace, especially, as we move closer to the 2011 general elections, is again a wake-up call for
restructuring of the polity to an acceptable standard.

"While we at a time like this renew our call for a Sovereign National Conference of all nationalities, we
make bold to state that recent and dangerous events in the land are not only unworthy of a nation aspiring
to be great but are also threatening the survival of its constituent components."

Speaking with The Guardian in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, Etok representing Akwa Ibom North West
Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and the Chairman of Senate Committee on Rules and Business expressed
support for the plan to bring in foreign security agencies to assist in fishing out the perpetrators and their
sponsors.

Etok who described the perpetrators as enemies of the nation planning to derail its democracy, urged
President Goodluck Jonathan not to be distracted from his main focus.

His words: "Security agencies must ensure that every culprit is bought to book and severely punished
with their godfathers. When people are used as scapegoats, this will show the seriousness and
determination of government on zero tolerance for crime. I'm sure the enemies of progress are at work,
the devil is using evil minded individuals bent on fomenting problems in the country. I appeal to the
police and other security agencies to fish out culprits with their godfathers".
The seminar for police officers, being held to enhance operational effectiveness of the security operatives
for violence-free 2011 elections, was organised by Foundation for Peace and Security Education
(POPSE).

Speaking at the event, the AIG, who decried the Abuja explosions assured that the perpetrators would
soon be brought to book.

"Definitely the perpetrators of the act don't wish the country well. That is why we must rise and elect
credible persons," he said.

Ogbaudu urged participants at the workshop to take the training seriously, stressing that the Nigeria
Police is poised to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in the 2011 since the onus of providing security
lies within its purview.

While urging the police officers to shun temptations by politicians to indulge in rigging during the 2011
elections, the AIG disclosed that cameras and other covert devices among other technologies would be
deployed to monitor the polls.

Ogbaudu said: "I urge that you don't allow yourselves to be used by any politician or anybody to rig
during elections. This is because cameras and other technologies are going to be installed and used all
over the country to monitor the conduct of the elections. Don't dent the image of the police in this coming
elections because if you are caught, you will be disgraced and severely punished.

"Remember the security challenges facing the country presently, ranging from Boko Haram to bomb
blast. The police have a primary duty to ensure internal security and cannot afford to fail the nation. We
must do our best to secure lives and property."

Earlier in an address, the Chief Executive of POPSE and former Commissioner of Police in the FCT,
Lawrence Alobi (rtd) said the training workshop organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police was
designed to provide the security agents with the needed capacity in policing the nation at periods of
political activities.

Alobi disclosed that the event was organised for officers of the Zone 7 Police Command, comprising
FCT, Niger and Kaduna states and will be extended to other zones of the country before the 2011 general
elections.
[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Military Says Nigerian Islamists Resort to Robbery To Fund Attacks

AFP20110118309010 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2234 GMT 17 Jan 11

["Nigerian 'Islamists' resort to robbery to fund attacks: army" AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Jan 17, 2011 (AFP) - Authorities suspect an Islamist sect in northern Nigeria has begun
using armed robberies to steal money to buy weapons to carry out attacks, an army spokesman said on
Monday.

The sect known as Boko Haram has been blamed for a series of attacks in recent months, including raids
on churches and police posts as well as hit-and-run shootings of police officers, mostly in the city of
Maiduguri.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that recent armed robberies in the city are being carried out by
members of the Boko Haram sect who are desperately in need of money to fund their operations,"
Lieutenant Abubakar Abdullahi said.

"They are facing a serious cash squeeze following the stepping up of raids on the sect that has seen many
of its financiers, who are mostly local traders, closing their businesses and fleeing the city."

Last month, police in Maiduguri arrested 92 suspected sect members, including a 75-year-old man
believed to be the group's major source of financing.
Authorities suspect sect members in at least six robberies in Maiduguri over the past two months.

The latest occurred on Monday, when soldiers foiled an armed robbery by motorcycle-riding gunmen
suspected to be sect members in which a gunman and a policeman were killed, Abdullahi said.

"They arrived in the business district on six motorcycles, 11 of them in all, armed with AK-47 rifles, and
began to shoot sporadically," he said.

"They were confronted by soldiers who succeeded in killing one of them while the rest fled through back
streets, shooting dead a policeman returning from work in the process."

More than 80 people have been killed in attacks blamed on the sect in the past seven months, according to
security sources.

The sect also claimed responsibility for a series of Christmas Eve bomb blasts in central Nigeria that
killed at least 80 people, but police cast doubt on the claim.

Boko Haram launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a police and military assault that left hundreds
dead.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Kill Governorship Candidate in Borno

AFP20110129565006 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 28 Jan 11

[Report by Isa Abdusalami and Njadvara Musa: "Boko Haram Gunmen Kill ANPP Governorship
Candidate, Six Others"]

It was another cruel disregard for human life yesterday when five suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed
the Borno State All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) governorship candidate Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio
and six others at the same spot.

Also murdered along with Gubio who was the Finance Commissioner were two policemen and four other
persons at his father's residence in Lawan Bukar Ward of Maiduguri, the state capital. The gunmen fired
several shots at Gubio, while he alighting from an un-marked Sports Unity Vehicle (SUV) at about 2.20
pm at his father's residence.

Police Commissioner Mohammed Ababakar said: "It was about 2 pm this afternoon that a gang of armed
Boko Haram members attacked and killed seven people at the residence of the father of the gubernatorial
candidate in Lawan Bukar.

The gunmen fired at Modu Gubio while he has alighting from his vehicle. As he was gunned down along
with the younger brother to Governor Sheriff, Goni Ngala, the suspects also shot and killed two plain
clothes policemen, and four others at the scene of the massive assassinations."

According to the police chief, the assassins were about eight in number riding motorcycles, and sped off
into the neighbouring Shehuri, Abaganaram and the Customs areas of Maiduguri metropolis.

Even though no arrest has been made, the police commissioner said: "The entire Lawan Bukar and
Bulabublin wards have been condoned off by the police, including parts of the palace of Shehu of Borno,
in hunt for the fleeing gunmen that killed seven people today in broad day light."

Abubakar also appealed to the general public to fully cooperate with the police by providing more
information on the hideouts and modus operandi of the Boko Haram sect members that have been
targeting policemen, soldiers and other security personnel in Borno State.

Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders' Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has warned of the dire
consequences of withdrawing the soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) from Plateau State. The
association warns that any attempt, as is being done, to ridicule the members of the STF, with a view to
withdrawing them will usher in a total state of anarchy in Jos and its environs.
National secretary of the association, Alhaji Sale Bayari stated the position of the association at a press
conference yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos. He spoke against the
backdrop of calls by some groups in the state for the withdrawal of the military because, according to
them, their presence has not helped matters as killings persist under their nose.

But Bayari said the advocates of withdrawal of the soldiers have dangerous ulterior motives to execute
after the soldiers might have left.

According to him, "we have noticed, of recent, the wild attacks both physical (through demonstration),
verbal, religious and sectional against the Special Task Force and its operatives, getting more loud and
stringent in an effort to have them withdrawn so that such people will have the space to launch their
attacks on other citizens of the state.

"Such people have done so before, precisely in January 2010, when they killed 219 members of this
association which included women, children, 7,000 heads of cattle in Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom
local councils without a single person being brought to book till this day despite our reports to the police
authorities in Nigeria. We noted with total bewilderment the absolute absence of the police in all these
areas when these massacres were taking place and the lack of any report by the Divisional Police Officers
of the killings, burnings and stealing that took place under their noses."

Bayari pointed out that the association was therefore not surprised that such murderers and armed robbers
are today asking the soldiers to leave and that they prefer the police. He said that such people prefer to
have the type of environment that they had in January 2010 and still go scot- free.

"With the soldiers around now, such environment has not been found by these people as the soldiers are
now scattered all over these villages where such killings took place and are still taking place as our people
are always attacked and killed today in palces, including Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom and Bassa
(Irigwe area) local governments.

"With the soldiers in place, all the bodies of our people killed and their cattle had been recovered by the
soldiers and most of the atrocities exposed while, before the coming of the soldiers, none of our 219
people killed and 7000 cows stolen, were ever reported or acknowledged as the bodies of all those killed
were burnt, buried and such areas made 'no-go areas' to all relations of the dead as well as the security
agents until all traces of such murders had disappeared," he bemoaned the situation.

According to the association's scribe, what such people are fighting for by saying that they are part of the
problems of the state by preferring the police, "is because the soldiers have been marking the troubled
areas and warning the trouble makers. Their presence, with their armoured tanks, has been quite
intimidating and scaring to the murderers and arsonists, and they want the soldiers out by implicating
them in every crime committed by them or against them by unknown persons. That is why they often
alleged that their killers had army uniform, the same way the killers of our members say that those who
killed them wore police uniform too."

He called on both the army and police authorities to mix the personnel on the basis of 40 and 60 percent
so that mischief-makers do not have the opportunity of running down any of the security agencies through
frame-ups and blackmails therefore by subjecting them to odium or ridicule with a view to withdrawing
them.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Engages military Gun Battle in Borno

AFP20110201606003 Lagos Daily Sun in English 31 Jan 11 p 7

[Report by Timothy Ola: "Boko Haram, military in fight to finish in Borno"]

Fear gripped residents of Maiduguri overnight on Saturday as the Boko Haram sect engaged the military
in a fight to finish in different parts of the Borno State capital. As the war raged on, many of the residents
were kept awake, fearing for their safety. A policeman was also killed in another attack on Sunday
afternoon at a checkpoint, prompting many residents to stay in-doors. The shooting started at about
8.30p.m around the Shehuri North-Custom area, in which the former enclave of the Boko Haram sect was
located. The gun battle lasted about two hours and continued in the early hours of Sunday. It was gathered
that the trouble began when some gunmen opened fire on an army patrol vehicle around the area. A
resident who lives in the area told Daily Sun on phone on Saturday night that he could not sleep because
of the repeated shootings.

"I am restless now because the gun shots have refused to stop. I don’t even know what is happening and I
cannot just go out with all my family members now because it is late. Who knows if these people [Boko
Haram] are just on our street since my house is not far from the road," the caller lamented. The 21
Armored Brigade Spokesmen, Lt. Col. Abdullahi who confirmed the report said some gunmen had
attacked soldiers on patrol in the metropolis on Saturday night. "As I am talking to you now, there is a
shoot out around the Pompomari area," he said.

It was further gathered that same gunmen in a car opened fire on three policemen at a checkpoint in
Pompomari area on Sunday afternoon when they were stopped for the usual stop and search check,
leading to the death of one of the policemen, a sergeant. "The gunmen numbering about four were in a car
at about 12 noon. The car is ash colour and they just opened fire on the policemen at the checkpoint as
soon as they were stopped. They even removed the car’s two number plates before they sped off," an
eyewitness told Daily Sun.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 18 persons suspected to be connected with last Friday’s killing had been
arrested by the police in the state. The police claimed the suspects had ‘strong link’ with the killing of
Gubio, ANPP governorship candidate and six others. "We have every reason to believe these suspects
have strong link with the last week’s murder of seven persons," Police Public Relations [PPRO], ASP
Abdullahi Lawal disclosed, adding that "investigation will soon commence." Daily Sun gathered that
many of the Christians leaders had gone into hiding following alleged threat messages received by some
of them during the week. The state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN], Rev.
Yuguda Mdavrwa could not be reached on phone to confirm the purported threat messages as his phone
was switched off.

Also, leaders of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Igbo Welfare Association [IWA] in the state were also said
to have gone into hiding. They had threatened last week to leave the state en-masse if the alleged selective
killings of their members did not abate and should the governor fail to employ new strategy to curtail the
Boko Haram menace. IWA President General, Chief Nnaka Okereke told Daily on phone that he had been
advised to keep a low profile until further notice. "I’m sorry you can’t see me now, I have been advised to
hide myself for now because our safety is very important," he declared.

Meanwhile, a group of academics under the aegis of Coalition of North-east Academics for Democracy
and Good Governance had called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Plateau
and Borno states. The group said the call became imperative following what it described as "unbridled
and wanton destruction of lives and property" in the two states, a development which it said had made life
very short, brutish and worthless for the citizenry.
"From all indications, the Federal Government is avoiding declaration of state of emergency in the two
states which have of late earned for themselves the inglorious reputation as the most dangerous places in
West Africa along side the Niger Delta, ostensibly for fear of negative political implications as the 2011
general elections draw near and the strong influence of the governors of Plateau and Borno states in the
Aso Villa," a statement signed by the President of the group, Dr. Mohammed Gujbawu and made
available to Daily Sun on Sunday in Maiduguri stated.

Gujbawu said only declaration of emergency rule would bring down tension and high rate of insecurity in
the two states, stressing that a more holistic approach was required to address the insecurity, especially in
Borno where serial killers suspected to be of Boko Haram had laid siege on the state. The coalition urged
President Goodluck Jonathan to send an executive communication without further delay, seeking
immediate and total declaration of state of emergency in the two states to save lives and property of
innocent citizens.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Sun in English -- Privately owned daily close to former Abia State
Governor Orji Kalu]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Declares 'Full Scale War' Between Religious Communities

AFP20110203565001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2347 GMT 02 Feb 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Boko Haram: We Killed Gubio"]

The Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, more popularly known as Boko Haram, yesterday
dismissed claims by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff that political rivals killed ANPP's [All Nigeria People's
Party] Borno State gubernatorial candidate Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio and it claimed responsibility for
the attacks.
Gubio, a cousin of the governor, was killed along with Sheriff's younger brother Alhaji and six others in
Maiduguri last Friday. The governor had said on Monday night that he suspected politicians, and not
Boko Haram, of being behind the killing, given its sophisticated nature.

For the second time, the group also claimed responsibility for the Christmas Eve bombings in Jos, Plateau
State which claimed the lives of many people, and it promised to launch more attacks in the coming days
until, they said, an Islamic government is established in Plateau State.

Yesterday's sensational claims were made on printed A4-size posters that were pasted on several public
and private buildings across the troubled Borno State capital. Residents of Maiduguri and environs woke
up to find them on the walls, supposedly pasted by sect members. Neither Daily Trust reporters nor the
authorities could say for certain that Boko Haram pasted the notices. The open letter, which carried the
logo of the sect, also claimed responsibility for attacks in Bauchi State.

Sheriff had told reporters late at night on Monday that members of the outlawed Boko Haram were not
responsible for Friday's killings, insisting that it was crafted by "few politicians who want power by all
means."

Sheriff said, "I believe that what happened was not carried out by the Boko Haram members. First it was
the deputy zonal chairman of the ANPP, Awana Ali Ngala that was killed. Incidentally he was my cousin.
And then last Friday, they attacked our gubernatorial candidate and my younger brother alongside five
other innocent souls. We all know the patterns of the Boko-Haram people who will just rush out, shoot in
the air and run into hiding. But all those that died on Friday were shot right in the head, and only specially
trained persons can do that."

He also said, "I am not surprised that some politicians have launched campaign of calumny in the media
suggesting that a state of emergency be imposed in Borno State. We know from where they are coming
from; they are behind it all these while. As soon as they achieved what they planned on Friday, they
rushed to the media calling for a state of emergency. This alone is a clear testimony that people are
desperate and they want to get power at all costs."

Yesterday's open letter, written in Hausa, was pasted on walls along Post Office Area, State Low Cost,
Railway Quarters (the enclave of late leader of the sect, Mohammed Yusuf), Umarari, Jejeri and Baga
Road among others.

It read, "In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful. Without any doubt, we the warriors of
Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, under the leadership of Imam Abu Muhammad Abubakar
Bin Muhammad, popularly known as Shekau, hereby declare that we are responsible for the attacks
launched in Borno on Friday 23-14-32 (28th Jan. 2011), which led to the killing of Alhaji Modu Fannami
Gubio, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the brother of Governor
Ali Modu Sheriff as well the security men attached to them.

"As we have been telling the world, these attacks we are launching, just like the one we launched on the
eve of Christmas in Borno and Suldaniyya (Jos) and the ones we are launching in Bauchi, are meant to
propagate the name of Allah and to liberate ourselves and our religion from the hands of infidels and the
Nigerian government.

"We are therefore calling on Muslims in this part of the world to be well prepared because, very soon, we
would launch a full scale war between the Muslims and the Christians. We also call on the Muslims not to
seat close to where security agents or politicians are living because such people are behind the illegalitie s
being meted on the Muslims.

"As you can see, security agents have been deployed to Churches to guard them while on the other hand,
the same security agents are the ones maltreating the Muslims. This is the time for all of us to rise and
change this government, and give way to the establishment of Islamic government."

"Finally, anyone of you that assists them, will receive the same punishment like them. Message from the
warriors of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad."

However, police authorities in the state have called on the citizens to disregard the threat, assuring that
everybody will be safe. Police spokesman ASP Lawan Abdullahi said, "People should not be nervous
with the open letter, we are on top of the situation."

Asked why the police could not arrest any of the people that pasted the posters in the dead of the night
despite many patrol teams, the spokesman said, "We did not arrest anybody but we would soon get them.
Our patrol teams now move around the town instead of staying in one place."

The state police commissioner had said that nineteen people have been arrested in connection with
Friday's killings, stating that they are "political thugs loyal to some politicians."

According to him, "We have strongly established that the suspects that are now in our custody are
political thugs who have connection with some powerful politicians in the state."

Those arrested according to the commissioner include Ibrahim Ali, Gambo Saadu, Mohammed Umar,
Mohammed Abubakar, Saidu Ibrahim, Yahaya Audu, Ibrahim Moto, Musa Ibrahim, Rabiu Mohammed
and Rabiu Yahaya. Others are Mohammed Audu, Adamu Mohammed, Hamisu Sule, Hudu Yau, Sanusi
Kabiru, Hamisu Sani, Shaabiyu Sule, Hussaini Sani and Sani Ali.

Asked about the names of the "powerful politicians" responsible for the killings and the party they are
representing, the police commissioner said disclosing names will tamper with the investigations by
officers and men of the joint security forces. According to him, "it will be wrong to tell you the names
now; we would give you details at the appropriate time. All I can say is that we have made a significant
progress in our findings."

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Algerian Security Agencies Break Up Terrorist AQLIM/GSPC Group in Batna

GMP20110207280001 Algiers Algiers El-Watan Online in French 06 Feb 11

[Report by Salima Tlemcani: "Al-Qa'ida Group Broken Up in Batna: Was Supposed to Set Up Terrorist
Cells in Europe" -- first paragraph is El Watan introduction]

It was one of the most major operations to break up international terrorist networks in liaison with the
Salafi Group for Call and Combat [GSPC] or Al-Qa'ida in the [Lands of the] Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM)
that the security agencies have just carried out in the Batna maquis.

It lifted the veil on a relationship that has become increasingly pronounced between the GSPC's phalanges
and those of Usama Bin Ladin. Indeed, according to security sources, everything started with this news
report supplied by repentants about the plan for the assignment of one of the most notorious Mauritanian
terrorists, Brahim Ould Mohamed Ould Na, better known by the nickname of Abou Anes Echenguitti, as
a mufti (exegete) to the leadership of the GSPC with the goal of increasing the number of attacks and
redeploying "armed action" on the ground. As an imam by training, and being a part of the Mauritanian
Salafi group, he had played an important role in the recruitment of the young people of his country to ship
them to Iraq.

In direct contact with Usama Bin Ladin, he was, according to the security agencies, allegedly instructed
by the latter to direct his actions toward the beefing up of the massive recruitment of young Mauritanians
in the ranks of the GSPC's phalanges before receiving the order to join the Al Moulathamoune katibat led
by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, called Abou Al Abbes or Belaouer, and Abou Zeid's Tarik Ibn Ziyad [katibat],
both of which are active in northern Mali. His mission was to indoctrinate the young recruits to carry out
suicide bomber attacks and abductions of Westerners.

Thanks to his special contacts with Usama Bin Ladin's organization, he allegedly succeeded in getting
himself accepted as an exegete officer and a member of the "council of wise men" (Ahl Al Aqd), two
central GSPC agencies, an organization to which he would give an international dimension via the
massive support from foreigners, especially Mauritanians, who have become increasingly predominant in
the Sahel. In 2008 he traveled to Algeria and stayed in the Tebessa and then the Batna maquis, where he
proceeded to reorganize terrorist groups in the two regions.

He was supposed to get to Droukdel's hideout when the security agencies arrested him in a trap that had
been set for him toward the end of the same year. His revelations would lift the veil on Al-Qa'ida new
strategy not just in Algeria but also in Europe, in France especially, through the sending (to that country)
of a terrorist by the name of Mustapha Debchi, called Abou Mohamed Al Othmani, who had gone into
the maquis in May 2008.

A native of Constantine and a young state electronics engineer, with perfect command of English, French,
and Arabic as well as computers, he had been charged with information for the GSPC's southern zone
before being named by Droukdel to set up new terrorist cells in Europe, which he had been getting ready
to join from the port of Annaba before being arrested. His confessions to the security forces, like those of
Abou Anes, would allow for the identification and arrest of a large portion of the members of the
organization active in Algeria, two of whom were Mauritanian nationals, Mohamed Yahia Ould Khaitari,
called Abou Zakaria Echenguitti, a Mauritanian shepherd who had been recruited in 2007 and who had
gotten to the terrorists' training camp located in Al Maghit (in Mali) before surrendering, in 2008, in the
Oustili maquis in Batna; as well as Abdellah Ould Ahmed Ould Andjiya, called Salah Abou Al Arkam
Echenguitti, a fundamentalist who graduated from a Koran school in Nouakchott in 2005 and was
recruited in 2006 by one of his compatriots and then taken by a Malian terrorist to In Khallil (in Mali) and
a terrorists camp in the Sahel, where he underwent paramilitary training before getting to Djebel Labiodh
in Tebessa in around 2007; in 2008 he was transferred to the Batna mountains until his arrest.

The 12 other Algerian terrorists who were arrested during this operation were Aissam Hamadouche,
called Abou Hareth, who had been active since May 2008; Ahmed Djouad, called Abou Ibrahim Al
Wahrani, who had been in the ranks since June 2006; Khaled Hamdane, called Abou Kaakaa El Wahrani,
who joined the GSPC in 2005; Djillali Chouikhi, called Abou Dher Lemdani, who had been recruited in
2006; Fethi Besseghir, called Zoubir El Wahrani, who had been recruited in 2006; Selmane El Yakouti,
who had been in the ranks of the Armed Islamic Group [GIA] in 1995 before joining the GSPC and was a
member of the leadership of the El Forkane katibat, which is active in Batna; Djamel Lasbahani, called
Abou Abdellah Al Wahrani, who was recruited in 2006; Nasreddine Mettouche, called Okacha Abou Al
Bara, who was recruited in 2006; Mohtar Khalkhal, called Yahia Abou Koutada, a member of the GIA in
1994 before joining the GSPC and who had been in charge of the workshop manufacturing explosive
devices within the El Fath El Moubine phalange; and Zine El Abidine Menzer, called Abou Yasser El
Othmani, who was recruited in 2006. The information supplied by the latter to the security agencies
helped identify 211 terrorists from Mali, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco, Nigeria, Guinea-
Bissau, and Burkina Faso who are part of Al-Qa'ida active in the Sahel. The news reports also
highlighted the GSPC's proven connections with other international terrorist organizations affiliated with
or close to Bin Ladin's Al-Qa'ida, among which are Nigeria's Boko Haram, led by Abou Bakr Chikou; the
Somali Harakat Chabab Moudjahidine movement, whose leader is a certain Abou Zoubeir who, according
to the confessions of the arrested terrorists, allegedly benefited from the GSPC's logistical support via
paramilitary training and financial aid but also from weapons acquired thanks to ransoms.

In addition, the same sources stated that the major batch of weapons recovered from the arrested terrorists
was made up of 14 Kalashnikov sub-machine guns; one semi-automatic rifle; 38 cartridge clips; eight
small blades, three explosive devices, eight grenades, 1,850 cartons of munitions; in addition, 21 cell
phones, 33 Subscriber Identity Module [SIM] cards, two pairs of binoculars, three bottles of mercury, two
photovoltaic plates, medicines, and the sum of 126,995 Algerian dinars [DA] were confiscated. Other
batches of weaponry were recovered by the security agencies after the assault that was mounted on
hideouts located in the Taghda maquis in Batna. Involved were one Rocket-Propelled Grenade [RPG]-2
rocket launcher; four rockets; one Dictariov with a cartridge slip; one Kalashnikov sub-machine gun, one
Hristal [as published]-type [FN/]-FAL with a cartridge clip; one repeater rifle; one MAT-49 with a
cartridge slip; seven explosive devices; 81 detonators; 5.5 meters of detonator line; 70 kilograms of
ammonium nitrate; 40 kilograms of chemical products entering in the manufacture of bombs; 2,000 shells
of various calibers; three radio sets; and a pair of binoculars. It was practically a coup de grace that the
security forces gave the terrorist organization, which thus finds itself deprived of its most important
supports...

[Description of Source: Algiers El-Watan Online in French -- Website of privately owned daily; launched
in 1990, it is the most widely distributed French-language newspaper in Algeria; while critical of the
authorities, it used to have links to the military establishment and remains a good source for information
on security matters; URL: www.elwatan.com]

Gunmen Attack Bank, Kill Four in Northern Nigeria

AFP20110217642009 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 17 Feb 11

[AFP headline: "Gunmen attack bank, police station in northern Nigeria"]

KANO, Nigeria, Feb 17, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen attacked a police station and a bank in northern Nigeria
on Thursday, leaving four people dead and one of the assailants' hands blown off when a bomb he was
holding exploded, police said.

The simultaneous attacks occurred in the town of Darazo, with those killed including two assailants, a
security guard at the bank and a civilian who was at the police station, police commissioner Abdulkadir
Mohammed Indabawa said.

Authorities said they were unsure who was behind the attacks in Bauchi state, but a series of similar raids
in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north has been blamed on an Islamist sect known as Boko Haram.

"We have one of the attackers with us whose hand was blown off when a homemade bomb exploded in
his hand before he could throw it into the police station," the commissioner said. "He is in hospital being
treated."

About 15 assailants were involved in the attacks, he said. Police shot and killed two of them at the police
station.

The attackers wounded two officers at the station and killed a civilian who was there at the time, said
Indabawa.

Gunmen killed a security guard at the bank before police stationed in the area repelled them, according to
the commissioner.

Another bomb, an AK-47 rifle and ammunition was also recovered from the attackers at the police
station, said Indabawa.

The Islamist sect, which launched an uprising in 2009, has been blamed for dozens of hit-and-run
shootings and other attacks in northern Nigeria in recent months.
It also claimed responsibility for the recent assassination of a high-profile candidate for governor ahead of
April elections.

A military assault that put down the 2009 uprising left hundreds dead

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Police Refuse To Compromise With Islamic Sect' Demands

AFP20110219578009 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 18 Feb 11

[Report by Ted Odogwu: "'We Won't Negotiate With Boko Haram'"]

The Nigeria Police will under no circumstance negotiate or compromise with the demands of the Boko
Haram sect.

The position of the police was made known by Inspector General of Police [IG], Hafiz A. Ringim who
described members of the sect as criminals.
Ringim, made the declaration while addressing reporters at the Police Academy, Wudil in Kano
yesterday, shortly after the passing out parade of 414 Cadet Officers, comprising, 203 Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP) and 211 Inspectors.

He affirmed that the police would continue to wage a relentless battle on the terrorist group until the last
Boko Haram member is smoked out of the state.

According to him, the Police will only change tactics, if the Federal Government initiates a new policy in
the fight to get rid of the menace of Boko Haram members, not only in Borno State but the entire country.

While addressing the graduants, who underwent an 18 months training programme, the Police boss
disclosed that efforts are being intensified to provide a level playing field for all contestants in the April
general elections.

"The general election is the prerogative of the Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Government.
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that what he wants is to conduct a free and fair election, and my
mandate is to provide a level playing ground for all contestants, and that is what I am trying to do as best
as I can.

"On its side, the Federal Government has done everything possible to train, to equip and to support and to
fund the Nigeria Police Force. We are doing the best we can to educate the members of the public on their
rights.

"By God's grace, we shall provide, and will continue to provide general security, free and fair atmosphere
for all to display their wares and be voted for by the respected electorate."

"The election shall be an exercise not in futility but an exercise where every eligible voter would be
allowed to come out and vote freely for people and parties of their choice."

He disclosed that a committee, comprising eminent Nigerians, including retired police officers, has been
set up to draw up a programme for the repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force, pointing out that he, as
the Inspector General of Police, is doing his best to implement the recommendations from the reform
committee.
"So far we have gone a long way in the implementation of the approved white paper by the Federal
Government, and that includes training, infrastructure, logistics and orientation, and so far, as you can
see, we are doing just that.

"Basically, this is to develop the Nigeria Police and make it function in line with the aspirations of the
Nigerian society, as well as the good practice of law enforcement as obtainable all over the world.

"The ceremony you witnessed today is part and parcel of the Nigeria Police reform, which is to develop
and produce functional, actionable man power that would be in line with the democratic practices
globally," he added.

Earlier, the IG reminded the graduants that greater responsibility had been entrusted on them to brace up
to the challenges that the 2011 general elections might pose.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigeria: Police Raid Boko Haram Training Base, Kill Six

AFP20110223606007 Lagos Guardian in English 22 Feb 11 p 5

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Borno police kill six suspected Boko Haram members"]

The police in Borno State in the early hours of Sunday raided two houses and training base of the Boko
Haram sect members in Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, killing six suspected members
and arresting three others after an exchange of gunfire. Those arrested include Mohammed Zakaria, 24,
alias Jiddo, a Chadian who allegedly had been supplying arms and ammunition to the sect from Chad to
the sect members in Maiduguri and Damaturu; Abubakar Suleiman, 40, and Abdullaziz Kura Modu, 25.

Parading the suspects along with 11 categories of arms and ammunition recovered, the Police
Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar in Maiduguri said: "I am announcing the victory of the Operation
Black Scorpion of the Borno State Police Command over the outlawed Boko Haram sect and its persistent
attacks and killings of innocent citizens of Maiduguri and security agents for the last seven months." The
victory, according to the police chief, began on Saturday when the Maiduguri metropolitan police patrol
team arrested Mohammed Zakaria in an unmarked Golf vehicle in Maiduguri during the ‘stop and search’
exercise. He said Zakaria confessed to the police that he is member of the sect and a coordinator who
supplies arms and ammunition to the sect members.

Abubakar added: "Apart from being a member and coordinator of the sect, Zakaria indicted Alhaji Salifu
of Damaturu in Yobe State and Mohammed Goni of Gomari ward of Maiduguri, as the financiers of the
sect in arms dealings and smuggling of arms from Chad and Cameroun." The bodies of the killed sect
members, he said, had been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital [UMTH]. He
urged the general public to cooperate with the police and other security agents by providing useful
information on the activities and hideouts of the sect members.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian in English - independent daily]

Nigeria: Police Kill 'Radical' Islamist Sect Financier, Arrest Arms Supplier

AFP20110227534005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1319 GMT 27 Feb 11

KANO, Nigeria, Feb 27, 2011 (AFP) - Police said Sunday they had shot dead a man financing a radical
Islamist sect in northern Nigeria and arrested another man suspected of supplying the group with arms.
The man financing the Bokom Haram sect, Alhaji Salisu Damaturu, was killed when a shootout broke out
during a raid on one of the group's hideouts, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, police commissioner for Borno
State where the sect is based, told AFP.

He said Damaturu and another man had been fingered as financing the group by an arms dealer,
Mohammed Zakaria, who was arrested in the town of Maiduguri on Saturday.

He said Zakaria admitted during interrogation to belonging to Bokom Haram and also to being the sect's
arms supplier from the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon.

"He fingered Alhaji Salisu Damaturu and Mohammed Goni as the group's financiers and also gave a
description of the sect's enclave in the town," he said.

Abubakar said the police raided the hideout where they engaged some Islamists in a gun battle.

"Many sect members escaped through the fence but Damaturu was killed in the shootout," he said.

He said a cache of weapons was recovered from the hideout, including 12 rocket launchers, two pistols,
one loaded AK-47 rifle, two detonating bomb cables and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition.

"At the moment no arrest was made but we have launched a manhunt for the fleeing sect members,"
Abubakar said.

Nigerian police have recovered arms and ammunition during recent raids on the hideouts of the sect in
Maiduguri and nearby Yobe state.

The Boko Haram sect launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a brutal military assault that left
hundreds dead.

The radical sect has been blamed for a series of attacks and hit-and-run shootings in northern Nigeria in
recent months that have left dozens dead.

Police say some of the killings may have been politically related ahead of April elections.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Boko Haram Says Fighting Corrupt Northern Muslim-Dominated State Leaders

AFP20110303619002 Lagos The Nigerian Newsworld in English 28 Feb 11 - 07 Mar 11

[Interview with Wakilin Mumeenen, leader of Boko Haram, the Islamic religious sect by The Nigerian
Newsworld correspondent, Bamidele Babalola in Maiduguri; date not given]

Wakilin Mumeenen succeeded Mohammed Yusuf as leader of the dreaded Boko Haram sect when the
latter was killed in 2009. Mumeenen has not spoken to any journalist since he assumed leadership of the
sect but agreed to speak with Bamidele Babalola in Maiduguri on the condition that his picture will not be
taken

Q: Since the demise of the leader of your sect you have been holding the forth. How hot is the seat?

A: The seat has not been hot since he was killed by the government of Modu Sheriff and the
commissioner of police in the state then, who we learnt has been dismissed from service by the federal
government.

Since this one is a privileged interview, I will use the opportunity to thank the civil societies who raised
their voices when our leader was killed by Governor Sheriff and the police. We shall always be grateful to
the media also.
 Q: Your sect is said to be against western education but when I entered here, I saw a lot of things that
has to do with western education. Is this not a contradiction?

A: That was just like calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. In the first place, our late leader was
not against western education. At least to a reasonable level, he was educated and I am a graduate of
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria here in Nigeria.

I also had my post graduate degree in computer engineering so also are most members of the
brotherhood. The government is just trying to blacklist us, using some media.

Like I was saying, what we are against is the use of western education to embezzle public funds. Money
meant for the public is being diverted to private pockets.

As you can see, the governments at various levels have enslaved and strangulated the people of the
country. It is even worse in the northern part of the country. Thank God you are from the southern part of
the country.

Can you tell me if this is the level of poverty in your place! I served as a youth corps member in Ibadan
and I saw how the government of that state was taking care of the populace. Here in the north, the reverse
is the case; poverty everywhere.

Look at the Almajiris. The northern governments have not been able to do anything about them simply
because they are the children of the poor. The children of these thieves are not in Nigeria. They are in
foreign countries.

Q: But if you are fighting for the oppressed like you are trying to say, why are your men attacking
churches?

A: You see, in a situation of confusion like we have here in Borno State, the security agents would sniff
around. If they did, they would find that we do not attack places of worship but when some people just
wake up to cause confusion, they will go round attacking places of worship.

But because the security agencies are not well trained, and they lack investigative experience, they
attribute it to the Boko Haram brotherhood. For your information, we have friends among the
membership of the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN].
 We do not attack places of worship; it is very unfortunate that some people, especially the security
agencies associate everything evil to us.

Q: Why have you not come out to tell the world why you are fighting the government especially states
in the north?

A: The world you are talking about is not a daft society. It recognizes our cause, our aim and aspirations
to free the downtrodden from the hands of some northern leaders, especially that of Borno State, and that
is the reason why we shall continue to fight him.

Q: Does that·mean you are fighting the governor of Borno state? Then why do you strike in other states
in the north?

It is not only the governor of Borno State that we are fighting but some northern states with high
concentration of Muslims. Without being told you know them, we are out to fight bad governance in the
Muslim-dominated states.

We fight injustice, oppression, corruption and other social vices, and that is the reason why some of us
are fighting for the betterment of the poor Muslims.

Q: Are you not in Jos?

A: To be frank with you, Jos is not a Muslim state. As a body, we have the population figure of each
state and the ratio of Muslims to that of Christians. Jos has a ratio of 60 to 40 in favor of Christians. The
security agents do not know this.

Any religious upheaval is automatically associated to Boko Haram. Sometimes, we also read the stories
in the media. Of course, if we attack we own up.

Q: How are you funded?

A: Our funds are internally generated; we tax ourselves. Do not forget that some of our members are
professionals in their various fields. If you are thinking that we get foreign assistance from some Islamic
countries, you are wrong.
 Q: I can see that you are surrounded with arms. How do you get your arms?

A: Ask me another question.

Q: Why can't you tell the government your grievances instead of waging wars?

A: For now in some Muslim-dominated states there is no government, may be after the election we can
discuss with the new governments. But for now, we are not ready to talk with the thieves in government.

Q: Definitely some politician must have been coming to solicit your support for their political parties,
which of them are you supporting?

A: You are right. They have been coming to us but we have not given them a nod, but definitely we
shall support a party for the 2011 elections. For now, we are still watching them.

Q: Recently, the inspector-general of police, Hafiz Ringim said that he will not negotiate with your sect.
He even described you as criminal elements. What is your reaction?

A: Well, I will quote former President Obasanjo: I dey laugh. I have about 300 of his men as members.
Ringim is not a serious inspector general of police. In fact, he is the worst, very incompetent.

Jonathan will use him for the election and dump him. We know him as a member of the Shiite sect. He
cannot challenge me on that, tell him I said so.

I do not want to answer any more questions thank you for coming
[Description of Source: Lagos The Nigerian Newsworld in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Report Says Boko Haram Teaches Western Education, Uses Metal Detectors

AFP20110303619003 Lagos The Nigerian Newsworld in English 28 Feb 11 - 07 Mar 11

[Report by Bamidele Babalola; "In a Lion's den"]

A visit to the enclave of the dreaded Boko Haram sect is very much like a destination to nowhere, with
an array of weapons reminding one of nothing but death

Security to the enclave was very tight, just like one passing through the Heathrow Airport in England.
Metal detectors were used to frisk the visitor to search for any hidden weapons.

The building housing the acting leader who preferred to be called Wakilin Mumuneen (leader of the
believers) is very moderate. In the sitting room where he had an unusual interview with this magazine,
arrays of light and heavy weapons were on display. At least 40 members of the sect were with him during
the interview session.

The interview was facilitated by a member of the sect who was a friend of this reporter way back in
1979 at Maiduguri.

The enclave is about 76 kilometers north of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The road leading to it is
very winding but well tarred. Although the reporter was not blindfolded, he was warned of the
consequences of describing the location to any security agent.
 The reporter was not allowed a tour of the enclave but he was able to notice another row of buildings
said to be housing women and some children. Islamic teachers were busy teaching the children how to
recite the Holy Quran.

Surprisingly, they were also taught western education. There were exotic cars and a well equipped
clinic inside the compound. The clinic is patronized by their neighbors who also were provided with
potable water by the sect.

They equally enjoy free meals three times a day, just like people in the enclave.

Since 2009, members of the sect have been terrorizing some states in the north, notably Borno and
Bauchi States. The sect, which has its headquarters in Borno State, was founded by Ustaz Mohammed
Yusuf in 2002.

Following an uprising in Maiduguri in which 300 were killed, Yusuf was arrested by soldiers while
hiding in a goat pen at his father-in-law's house and handed over to the police. Few hours later, the sect
leader, according to police, was killed in a gun battle while he was trying to escape.

Reports later showed that Yusuf was handcuffed at the time of his death. About 700 members of the
sect died during the attack. In spite of Yusuf's death, the city of Maiduguri has known no peace.

There have been sporadic attacks on personnel and politicians by members of the group. The latest was
the 28 Jan assassination of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] for the
April election in Borno State, Alhaji Modu Fannani Gubio by unknown gun men when he was returning
from jummat service.

Five other persons, including the younger brother of the Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, were
also killed during the attack. Governor Sheriff told journalists in Abuja that Gubio's assassination was
politically-motivated.

But the sect, in a message by its leader, Imam Abubakar Bin Mohammed, claimed responsibility for the
attack and said that it was like the one they launched on the Christmas Eve in Borno and Plateau States
where many people died.
 Mohammed also explained that the attacks were "to propagate the name of Allah and to liberate
ourselves and our religion from the hands of infidels and the Nigerian government."

Mumuneen, however, told this magazine that they were fighting against bad governance in some states
in the north dominated by Muslims, "for injustice, oppression, corruption and other social vices and for
the betterment of the poor Muslims."

He accused northern state governors of perpetuating poverty in the region but denied that the sect
members were opposed to western education.

Apart from Borno, Bauchi State also receives some doses of the activities of the sect. In September last
year, members of the Boko Haram sect attacked Bauchi central prison and set the place ablaze after
freeing their members detained in the prison who were arrested following the 2009 attack.

Abdulai Lawai, the police public relations officer for the Borno State police command accused the sect
of waging Islamic jihad against the country.

In a statement, the command said that it arrested one Mohammed Zakaria, a suspected coordinator of
the sect who supplies sophisticated weapons to them from neighboring countries.

Zakaria was traveling in a vehicle said to be conveying illegal arms and ammunition to the enclave
when he was arrested but the other occupant escaped with the vehicle. The police claimed that the suspect
indicted one Alhaji Salifu of Damaturu in Yobe State and Mohammed Goni of Gomari ward as financiers
of their arms smugglings from Chad and Cameroun Republics to Nigeria.

"Such sophisticated weapons include heavy rocket launchers, AK 47 rifles, grenades, and other lethal
explosives for construction of Bombs." Alhaji Salifu and five other members of the sect were however,
killed in exchange of fire when Zakaria led a police anti-robbery team to Damaturu to effect his arrest.

Some dangerous weapons were recovered at the scene after the gun battle including loaded AK 47
riffles with magazines. The corpses of the suspects were later deposited at the University of Maiduguri
Teaching Hospital for autopsy.
[Description of Source: Lagos The Nigerian Newsworld in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Police Arrest Suspected Leader of Violent Islamic Sect

AFP20110303686011 Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English 28 Feb 11 p 3

[Unattributed report: "Borno Police Recover Heavy Weapons from Boko Haram Suspects"]

The Borno State Police Command security outfit, code named "Operation Black Scorpion" has arrested a
suspected leader of the Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Zakaria Alia Jiddo, in an unmarked car in
Maiduguri the state capital.

The commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said the sect leader was nabbed alongside an
unknown occupant who escaped and abandoned the vehicle. He said another vehicle conveying arms and
ammunition zoomed off before arrests could be effected.

Abubakar said the suspect admitted being a member of the Boko Haram and also its coordinator with
regards to supply of sophisticated weapons from neighboring Chad and Cameroon.

The Police Chief disclosed that Zakari fingered one Alhaji Salisu of Damaturu in Yobe State and
Mohammed Goni of Gomari Ward Maiduguri as their financiers during interrogations.

He explained that anti-robbery investigation team was dispatched to the residences of Goni and Salisu for
interrogation and arrest.
On sighting the team, the sect members opened fire using sophisticated weapons like rocket launchers,
Abubakar added.

He said many of the sect’s members escaped by scaling the fence while Salisu, one of its alleged
financiers, was gunned down by policemen.

Items recovered, Abubakar said, include a loaded AK 47 rifle, two Barretta pistols and copies of
magazines. Others are one rocket launcher, two RPG bombs, two detonating bomb cables already in
motion, 11 mini rockets launchers, two empty shells, two sealed brand new cartons of AK 47,
ammunition containing 1,400 rounds each and seventy five 7.6 mobile ammunition.

Also 31 empty shells of AK 47 rifle ammunition, 833 rounds of RPG live ammunition, 29 rounds of
2.2mm pistol live ammunition and two sets of vehicle number plates, Yobe VA 459 MW Commercial and
private number Kogi AA 840 LAM, were recovered.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English -- Rivers State owned daily]

Unknown Gunmen Kill Nonviolent Muslim Cleric in Northern Nigeria

AFP20110314678005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2359 GMT 13 Mar 11

[Outspoken Muslim cleric killed in northern Nigeria -- AFP Headline]

KANO, Nigeria, March 14, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen shot and killed a Muslim cleric highly critical of a
hardline Islamist sect, in an attack outside his home in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, witnesses said.

The attackers, who were in a sports utility vehicle, gunned down Ibrahim Abdullahi Bolori outside his
house, which is just next to a mosque, neighbours said.

"The sheikh came out of his house around 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) and sat outside. An unmarked jeep
slowed down and gunmen shot him... five times before speeding off," said a neighbour Awwalu Ishaq.

Bolori had been an outspoken critic of the radical Islamist group known as Boko Haram, which in 2009
launched an uprising in Maiduguri, the provincial capital of Borno state.

The revolt was put down by a brutal military assault, but since 2010, attacks attributed to the group have
left dozens dead, most of them policemen.

Another cleric who spoke against the sect was gunned down in the same city October last year at his
house while giving a theology lesson to a student.

The sect, whose name means "education is a sin" has been blamed for killings targeting police officers,
local community leaders, clerics and politicians in recent months.

Last September it launched an assault on a prison in Nigeria's northern Bauchi state, using machine guns
and improvised explosives to break into the jail and free more than 700 inmates, many thought to have
been sect members.

Boko Haram is fighting for the creation of an Islamic state in Nigeria, whose 150 million-strong
population is divided roughly in half between Christians and Muslims.

The attacks come ahead of general elections in April and amid fears that the campaign and the vote itself
could be marred by violence, as they have been in the past.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
'Radical' Nigerian Islamist Group Reportedly Kills Community Leader in North

AFP20110322642003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 22 Mar 11

[AFP headline:"Suspected Islamists kill community leader in Nigeria: police"]

KANO, Nigeria, March 22, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen suspected to be members of a radical Islamist sect
have shot dead a community leader in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, police said Tuesday.

Two gunmen on a motorcycle killed the neighbourhood leader as he was about to enter a mosque Monday
evening and wounded two bystanders.

"Two motorcycle-riding gunmen approached the victim ... while he was entering a mosque for the
evening prayers and shot him severally," said Lawal Abdullahi, police spokesman for Borno state.

The Borno state capital Maiduguri was the epicentre of a 2009 uprising staged by the sect known as Boko
Haram.

Abdullahi said the gunmen were suspected members of Boko Haram, blamed for dozens of killings in
recent months.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Authorities Report Attack on Police Station by Suspected Islamist Group

AFP20110402587003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0741 GMT 02 Apr 11

KANO, Nigeria, April 2, 2011 (AFP) - Suspected Islamists have attacked a police station in northern
Nigeria with explosives ahead of Saturday's parliamentary vote, police said, but it was unclear if there
were casualties.

"A number of gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram attacked Dutsen Tanshi police station,"
police spokesman Mohammed Barau told AFP of the attack in the city of Bauchi, referring to an Islamist
sect that launched a 2009 uprising.

"They threw explosives into the police station which detonated and fired several shots before fleeing."

The attack occurred on Friday night, on the eve of parliamentary elections, the first in a series of
landmark polls this month.

Sect members attacked the same police station in 2009 as they launched an uprising that was later put
down by a brutal military assault which left hundreds dead.

The sect has been blamed for dozens of killings and attacks in recent months.

The amount of damage to the station was also unclear as the area had been cordoned off. Residents
reported by phone that soldiers in vans were being deployed in the area.
The sect has claimed to be fighting for the creation of an Islamic state in Nigeria, a country of some 150
million people divided roughly in half between Christians and Muslims.

It was believed to have been routed after the assault in 2009, but it re-emerged last year with a series of
shootings by gunmen on motorbikes, as well as attacks on police stations and a prison raid that freed
hundreds of inmates.

Most of the recent attacks have occurred in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, where the sect's mosque
and headquarters were located before being destroyed in the 2009 assault.

It was blamed for three church attacks on Christmas Eve that claimed six lives and left one of the
churches burnt down.

The sect has been known by various names. Boko Haram means "Western education is sin" in the
regional Hausa language.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Attack Adamawa Jail; 14 Prisoners Escape

AFP20110423565002 Lagos This Day Online in English 23 Apr 11

[Report by Matthew Onah: "Boko Haram Raids Yola Prison, Frees 14"]
There was a jail break Friday at the Yola Prison in Adamawa State. It was carried out by suspected
members of the Boko Haram sect.

Sources said six prisoners were swiftly arrested by the prison authorities while 14 others escaped.

Sources said the jailbreak occurred while some prison officials were observing the Friday Jumat prayers
at Yola Central Mosque, adjacent the Yola Prison.

According to a prison source, the prisoners numbering over 40 were said to have overpowered the two
warders at the second gate of the prisons and matched out but were accosted by the mobile policemen
outside the facility.

It is believed that the jail break might be an attempt by Boko Haram to free some of their members that
were transferred to the facility earlier in the year. A similar attempt was made at the Jimeta Prison three
months ago.

The source disclosed that the policemen shot and wounded six of those attempting to escape, while at
least 14 others are believed to have escaped.

When THISDAY called at the prison facility Friday afternoon, it was surrounded by armed anti-riot
policemen.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Islamic Sect Demands Replacement of Nigerian Constitution With Sharia Law

AFP20110425565001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0327 GMT 25 Apr 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Boko Haram Gives Conditions for Cease-Fire"]

Members of the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri yesterday said that insecurity and threats would continue
in the country until the current democratic system is abolished. They are also demanding that the Nigerian
Constitution should be replaced with Sharia law.

In a three page letter which was written in Arabic and Hausa and issued to newsmen in Maiduguri, the
group said it would neither accept amnesty nor enter into any negotiation with the government.

"We are calling on Muslims all over the world, especially those in Nigeria, to understand that we need
fairness from everybody because God has commanded us in the Holy Quran to be just in our dealings. We
want to reiterate that we are warriors who are carrying out Jihad (religious war) in Nigeria and our
struggle is based on the traditions of the holy prophet. We will never accept any system of government
apart from the one stipulated by Islam because that is the only way that the Muslims can be liberated. We
do not believe in any system of government, be it traditional or orthodox except the Islamic system and
that is why we will keep on fighting against democracy, capitalism, socialism and whatever. We will not
allow the Nigerian Constitution to replace the laws that have been enshrined in the Holy Qur'an, we will
not allow adulterated conventional education (Boko) to replace Islamic teachings. We will not respect the
Nigerian government because it is illegal. We will continue to fight its military and the police because
they are not protecting Islam. We do not believe in the Nigerian judicial system and we will fight anyone
who assists the government in perpetrating illegalities," the group said.

In the letter, members of the group made it clear that they were not sorry for all the people that have been
killed.

"We are not sorry for all the people that we are killing, including ward heads, politicians, police and the
army because they are associating themselves with the government by arresting Muslim brothers and
sabotaging Islam. We want to make it clear that we are fighting not just because our mosque and centre of
learning were destroyed in Maiduguri, or because we were chased out of our houses. The reason we are at
war is because our freedom has been curtailed. For time immemorial, we have been advocating for
freedom of worship and assembly and the need for everyone to believe in Allah. We have been preaching
that people should jettison modern democracy and embrace Islam as their religion," the group added.

The group lamented that while they were carrying out their religious obligation in 2009, they were
provoked by the government, which according to them connived with some Imams and ward heads and
attacked their members in many states.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Three Bombs Explode in Nigeria's Borno State Capital

FEA20110425017155 - OSC Feature - Daily Trust Online 2344 GMT 24 Apr 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Triple Blasts Rock Maiduguri"]

Many people were feared to have been killed when three bombs were simultaneously detonated in
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, last night.

Two of the explosives exploded at Tudu Palace Hotel in Madiganari area of the metropolis and the third
one at one of the gates of the popular 'Tashar Kano'.

Many residents of Maiduguri heard loud and agonising sound around 8.30pm and the sky was later
enveloped by smoke.

A witness who identified himself as Mohammed Nur said he saw the police evacuating some people from
the hotel.

'Nobody can tell how many people died and how many were injured in the blasts because the hotel is a
beehive of activities,' he said.

Police spokesman Mai Mamman could not be reached as at press time.

Our correspondent recalled that about six bombs have so far exploded in Maiduguri in the last few weeks.

It would be recalled that the Borno State Police Command announced the death of a police inspector in a
bomb explosion in "London Ciki Ward" of Maiduguri on Wednesday night.

Mamman, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, told newsmen that the bomb was thrown at a police
vehicle that was conveying policemen to evacuate bodies of two persons shot dead earlier in the day.

He said: "The police team had gone to evacuate corpses of persons shot by unknown gunmen around
Zannari, but it was attacked around Gwange cemetery walls, as it approached London ciki.

"An inspector of police was killed by the explosive, while two other officers were seriously injured."

He said the command had sent the team to the densely populated area after receiving information about
the killing of the two persons by suspected Boko Haram militants.

Earlier, on Saturday April 9 there was explosion at a polling station in the Unguwar Doki neighbourhood
of Maiduguri during the parliamentary election.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Article Highlights Activities of Violent Islamic Sect

AFP20110513686011 Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English 13 May 11 p 15

[Article by Femi Akinla: "Boko Haram in the North"]

I am very concerned that the Nigerian government appears to be watching helplessly while the Boko
Haram threat in Borno and other states in the North degenerates. The extremist Islamic sect seems to be
consolidating and gaining confidence in pursuing its agenda.

The group resumed its violent offensive last week, gunning down three prison warders and the wife of
one of the slain warders in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Two hours after these murders, a fifth
victim, a policeman, was ambushed at his residence and shot in the head and chest by men suspected to be
members of the sect. According to the police, the same assailants – two men riding on a motorcycle,
armed with AK47 rifles – were believed to be responsible for all the killings. These targeted
assassinations of policemen and other security officials in Maiduguri have continued for months
unabated. The police, though confronting this menace with courage, remain vulnerable and incapable of
protecting themselves against the deadly attacks. They are resigned to their fate.

Drawing inspiration from the federal government’s successful amnesty program for Niger Delta militants,
Borno State’s governor-elect, Kashim Shettima, offered the olive branch to Boko Haram a fortnight ago.
"As soon as the administration is inaugurated on 29 May, 2011," he told reporters, "we will sit down at a
round table with the Boko Haram leaders on how its members can lay down their arms and move the state
forward by restoring peace, unity and the protection of all lives and property in Borno State."

Boko Haram has rejected the peace offer. A certain Abu Darda, claiming to be the sect’s spokesman, said
on the BBC Hausa Service earlier this week that the group did not need amnesty. "We are fighting for the
enthronement of an Islamic State," he declared. "We have gone beyond the stage of dialogue and
negotiation with the government." The spokesman gave one condition, however, on which the sect would
lay down its arms: "abolition of the secular constitution and its replacement with Islamic Sharia law."
Darda’s claims on the BBC Hausa Service are consistent with declarations made by Boko Haram in
public posters it pasted in Maiduguri in February this year.

Apart from claiming responsibility for the assassination of the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP]
governorship candidate in Borno State, Modu Fannami Gubio, and six others, the group had gone on to
declare, in the posters, that "This is the time for all of us to rise and change this government, and give way
to a Muslim government."

I do not think the Nigerian government’s response to this explicit threat has been adequate. In fact, I do
not remember the federal government having made any categorical statement on the demand by Boko
Haram for the nation’s Constitution to be abolished and replaced with Islamic law. The government’s
silence on the issue is puzzling and can be sustained no longer. A group has taken up arms in prosecution
of its declared agenda to overthrow the present constitutional government and replace it with an Islamic
government.
This seems to me to be a very serious threat, which the Nigerian government should confront squarely.
Members of Boko Haram are within their rights to desire to be ruled under the strict tenets of their chosen
religion, namely, Islamic Sharia law. The problem, however, is that the present Nigerian Constitution, at
Section 10, prohibits any government in the country from adopting any religion as state religion. Thus,
acceding to Boko Haram’s demand will mean the death of the Nigerian Constitution, and the dismantling
of the present Nigerian State – unless the Constitution can be amended to accommodate state religion.
Assuming, even, that groups like Boko Haram were able to successfully sponsor a constitutional
amendment allowing state religion, the impossibility of implementing such a provision at the national
level, or in states without one dominant religion, would become immediately obvious. Thus, the present
arrangement whereby freedom of worship is guaranteed to the individual, under a secular government, is
the only practical way to ensure peace in a diverse and plural society like Nigeria, with its multiplicity of
tongues and faiths.

The federal government must uphold the constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship. Its apparent
belief that the Boko Haram threat is restricted to a small part of the country (mainly Maiduguri and
Bauchi) and so may be largely ignored as a localized nuisance could prove costly indeed. As the sect
gradually takes root, improves its access to arms and finance, including external funding, and as its
membership spreads, it may reach the point, eventually, of taking on the Nigerian government in a frontal
armed struggle across many states. That day must be prevented by early action. National dialogue to
resolve the issue should be among the options on the table.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English -- Rivers State owned daily]

Report Details bin Laden's Nigerian Agents, Says Boko Haram Linked to Al-Qaeda

AFP20110515619002 Lagos TheNews in English 09 May 11 - 16 May 11 14-19

[Report by Ademola Adegbamigbe: "Osama's Nigerian Agents"]

 Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda head, is killed by an American strike force. But his affiliates are alive in
Nigeria, representing danger

His image haunted Americans in their dreams and waking hours. Osama bin Laden, leader of the
terrorist organization, al-Qaeda, was their bogeyman from the pit of hell. Apart from his past activities in
other parts of the world, he unleashed cataclysm on the United States, a situation that gave rise to a 10-
year manhunt for him.

That nightmare ended in the wee hours of Sunday 1 May, when he was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan,
by elite us Navy SEALS. His death was announced last week by President Barack Obama, who said at the
East Room of the White House that "Justice has been done." Osama bin Laden, who many like to call by
his first name, was shot in the head and chest and was buried later at sea.

However, the death of Osama has not signified the end of terrorism worldwide, especially in Nigeria
where his adherents and affiliates are causing death and destruction on a massive scale. According to
analysts, terrorists with al-Qaeda connections are alive in Nigeria, maintaining training camps and
indoctrinating those disposed to militant Islam. Their hands are seen in the sectarian killings witnessed in
the country.

The Capture of Osama

Obama was just four months in power when he decided to smoke Osama out of wherever hole he was
hiding. On 2 Jun 2009, he signed a memo to CIA Director Leon Panetta, stating: "In order to ensure that
we have expanded every effort, I direct you to provide me within 30 days a detailed operation plan for
locating and bringing to justice" Osama bin Laden."

Obama revealed that last August, after years of painstaking work by the US intelligence community, he
was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. Not sure of the veracity of the information, Obama said that
it "took many months to run this thread to ground."

To be sure of their target, the US President met repeatedly with his national security team, working on
more information that helped to ascertain that the terrorist's hideout had been located within a compound
in Pakistan.
 And finally, last week, he determined that he and his team had had enough intelligence to strike. Thus,
Obama authorized an operation to get Osama. He was found in a big $1 million-two-storey property about
800 yards from the Pakistan Military Academy near Abbottabad city, northwest of Pakistan. It is about
150 km from Islamabad, the capital of the country.

According to the Associated Press, an American news agency, when one of bin Laden's most trusted
aides picked up the phone last year, he unknowingly led US pursuers to the doorstep of the wanted
terrorist. That monitored phone call, as a US official was quoted as saying, "ended a year-long search for
bin Laden's personal courier, the key break in a worldwide manhunt."

The courier, in turn, led US intelligence officials to a walled compound in North-East Pakistan, Navy
SEAL members shot bin Laden to death" Not a man to trust others with information about his
whereabouts, not even his lieutenants, bin Laden depended on his couriers who helped to bring his
messages in and out.

Hope for his capture started showing when inmates of the CIA secret detention centre started singing
about an important courier, code-named Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti, a bin Laden chum. In fact, when Khalid
Sheikh Mohammed, the third man in the al-Qaeda pecking order was arrested by the CIA, he confirmed
knowing al-Kuwaiti, but claimed the courier had no link with the terrorist organization.

But real confirmation came when, in 2004, the CIA nabbed Hassan Ghul, a top al-Qaeda operative in
Iraq, who revealed that al-Kuwaiti was actually a courier who was close to Faraj al-Libi, who replaced
Mohammed as al-Qaeda's operational commander.

A US official was also quoted as saying that "finally, in May 2005, al-Libi was captured. Under CIA
interrogation, al-Libi admitted that when he was promoted to succeed Mohammed, he received the word
through a courier."

But he made up a name for the courier and denied knowing al-Kuwaiti, a denial that was so
unbelievable that the CIA took it as confirmation that he and Mohammed were protecting the courier. It
only reinforced the idea that al-Kuwaiti was very important to al-Qaeda."

The US intelligence apparatus, therefore, reached a conclusion that if they could apprehend al-Kuwaiti,
then the capture of bin Laden would be a matter of time. After many years, the CIA finally yanked off al-
Kuwaiti's mask to identify the real man.
 He is Sheikh Abu Ahmed, a Pakistani born in Kuwait who, for long, had eluded security officials. Since
bin Laden was so careful not to use phones or the Internet in his hideout, sleuths were always running into
dead ends.

Then Ahmed, in the middle of last year, standing somewhere not far from bin Laden's hole, had a
telephone conversation with someone who was under CIA surveillance. Things became clearer in August
2010 when he unwittingly led security operatives to bin Laden's compound.

The U.S kept this matter close to its chest, not even trusting close allies like Britain and France with it.
In mid-February, the government was quite sure that a "high-value target" was hiding in the compound.

Where bin Laden lived is a three-storey building that has few windows facing the outside of the
compound. There is a terrace on the third floor and the building has a seven-foot privacy wall and 12 to
18-foot walls topped with barbed wire.

Moreover, internal partitioning of different sections of the compound provides extra privacy. To make
sure that the landlord remained elusive, access to the compound is restricted by two security gates, and
those living there burn their waste within, unlike other house owners who pack theirs outside for
collection by waste management authorities.

In spite of these precautions, the Navy SEAL men that held rehearsals of the raid on 7 and 13 Apr on a
one-acre compound at Camp Alpha, a segregated section of the heavily fortified Bagram Air Base in the
Parvan Province of Afghanistan, decided to drop in through the sky, while top US officials were
monitoring the action from Washington.

Four modified MH-60 SEAL helicopters flew in from Ghazi Air Base in Pakistan and, like dragonflies,
made their way to the garrison suburb of Abbottabad. The SEALs had earlier come across the border
from Afghanistan, along with what an expert described as "tactical signals, intelligence collectors, and
navigators, using highly classified hyper spectral imagers".

There was, however, a snag when one of the four choppers developed fault as it wanted to land in bin
Laden's compound, a development that made Obama, his top generals and war planners watching the
process in the situation room of the White House to sit on the edge of their seats.

The pilot, however, managed to land the craft inside the walls. Notwithstanding this small setback, the
SEALs disembarked and raided the compound. The 54-year-old al-Qaeda chief was killed in the
operation that lasted 40 minutes. Before leaving, the assault men blew up the faulty helicopter and flew
back with reinforcement craft.
 US government officials said that the raid was a dramatic denouement of years of intelligence
gathering that included the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency [NGA] that deals with imagery and
maps and the National Security Agency [NSA] described as the "code-makers and code-breakers."

In other words, they can, with subterranean tactic, watch and listen to conversations anywhere in the
world, ranging from those engaged in by enemy soldiers, drug barons, hijackers, and pirates, to terrorists,
and desperados of different hues and husbands with a penchant for taking a tumble in the hay away from
the home.

Bin Laden's Sins

Bin Laden's problem started when he called for attacks against American forces in the Saudi peninsula
and in the Horn of Africa. On 29 Dec 1992, his organization exploded a bomb in a hotel in Aden, Yemen,
where American troops had been staying while on their way to Somalia. Although the real targets had
left, the bomb killed two Austrian tourists.

On 26 Feb 1993, the organization exploded a truck driven into the underground garage at the World
Trade Centre, killing six people. Bin Laden was to eulogize Ramzi Youser, the mastermind, who was
convicted of the bombing. Eight months later, in Somalia, 18 American peacekeepers were killed and
their bodies dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, the capital city. Bin Laden cheered the killers.

After establishing a terrorist camp in Sudan in 1994, the Saudi government froze his assets and revoked
his citizenship.

In November 1995, his organization detonated a truck bomb at a Saudi National Guard training centre
operated by the United States in Riyadh, killing seven people. And in June 1996, another truck bomb
destroyed Khobar Towers, an American military residence in Dhahran, killing 19 soldiers.

After fleeing to Afghanistan when Sudan expelled him, bin Laden started working in concert with
Mullah Muhammad Omar, leader of the Taliban. Thus in August 1996, from the Afghan mountain
stronghold of Tora Bora, bin Laden issued his "Declaration of War Against the Americans Who Occupy
the Land of Two Holy Mosques."

He repeated this mission in an edict in February 1998, calling for attacks on Americans anywhere in the
world, declaring it an "individual duty" for all Muslims.
 His organization, on 7 Aug 1998, exploded two bombs simultaneously at the American Embassies in
Nairobi, Kenya, and Dares Salaam, Tanzania. While the former killed 213 people and wounded 4,500, the
latter killed 11 and wounded 85.

The mother of all his sins came on 11 Sep 2001, when al-Qaeda launched a series of coordinated
suicide attacks on the United States. That day, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger
jet airliners, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City, killing
everyone on board and others working in the buildings.

The terrorists crashed the third into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C.
And the fourth crashed into a field near Shanks Ville in rural Pennsylvania. That was after some of its
passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had targeted at the
Capitol Building or the White House in Washington D.C. Over 3,000 victims and the 19 hijackers died in
the attacks.

The Man, Bin Laden

The seventh son and 17th child among about 50 of his father's children, Osama bin Muhammad bin
Awad bin Laden was born on 10 Mar 1957 to Muhammad bin Awad bin Laden. The father, in 1931,
emigrated from Southern Yemen and hit it big in construction in Saudi Arabia before he died in a plane
crash on 3 Sep 1967.

Young Osama's mother, the last of his father's four wives, was from Syria, a state of affairs that made
him to become the butt of snide remarks by family members who called him "the slave child."

According to Mary Anne of the New Yorker, "It must have been difficult for him as Osama was almost
a double outsider. His paternal roots are in Yemen and within the family, his mother was a double
outsider as well - she was neither Saudi nor Yemeni but Syrian."

Bin Laden attended the elite Al Thagher Model School in Jeddah, where he was indoctrinated after
school by a Syrian physical education teacher. This made the young man become a member of the
Muslim Brotherhood, a religious movement founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al Banna, a school
teacher opposed to British rule.

His Islamic fundamentalism deepened when he studied at King Abdul Aziz University, where, apart
from the Brotherhood in his blood and on campus, he was influenced by adherents of Wahahabism, an
anti-Western strain of Islam. Here, two Islamic scholars, Muhammad Quttub and Abdullah Azzam,
influenced him greatly.

Their ideas helped to shape the al-Qaeda philosophy. When in 1980 Soviet troops occupied
Afghanistan, bin Laden moved to Pakistan, on the border of the occupied country.

But in 1982, he actually moved in, bringing with him construction machinery and recruits. Apart from
setting up training camps for them, he was paying roughly $25,000 a month to subsidize their upkeep.

According to a report, "the flood of young men following him to Afghanistan prompted the founding of
al-Qaeda. The genesis was essentially bureaucratic because bin Laden wanted a way to track the men so
that he could tell their families what had happened to them.

The documentation al-Qaeda provided became a primitive database of young jihadists." It was here that
he met leaders of other militant Islamic groups, including Ayman al-Zawahiri, leader of the Egyptian
Jihad.

Osama's Kinsmen in Nigeria

A proof that Al-Qaeda is alive and well in Nigeria was when Kano, which Karl Meir, author of This
House Has Fallen, describes as a city notorious for "pious mayhem" was once again plunged into
confusion when Osama's death was announced by Obama.

Non-indigenes started to flee their homes located in potentially combustible areas and seeking sanctuary
in military and police barracks, and safe areas like Sabon Gari, largely inhabited by non-indigenes.

It was for this reason that Dan Azumi Doma, the Commissioner of Police on election duty in the state,
assured the people that there was "no cause for alarm, as the police have made adequate security
arrangement to handle any possible threat to life and property".

That statement, to many Nigerians, was hardly reassuring. This is because people were aware of the
presence of al-Qaeda in Nigeria.
 In fact, when the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in 2009 held a town hall meeting in Abuja, she
warned that Nigeria could be a target for al-Qaeda. She argued: "Al-Qaeda has a presence in Northern
Africa.

There is no doubt in our mind that al-Qaeda and like organizations that are part of the syndicate of
terror would seek a foothold anywhere they could find one, and whether that is the case here or whether
this is a home-grown example of fundamentalist extremism, that's up to the Nigerians to determine." In
fact, since then, other proofs abound.

Boko Haram

Although the United States has eventually seen the end of bin Laden, ripples of the influence and
impact of the fundamentalist cult persist. The bomb attacks witnessed during the last elections in Borno
State have been linked to the Boko Haram Muslim fundamentalist group, which thrives on the full
backing of the al-Qaeda.

The Boko Haram, which is against Western education, wants the imposition of Islamic law all over
Nigeria. This, however, is just one of its demands. Others include that about 200 of its members still
clamped in detention, should be set free.

In addition, those exiled should be allowed to return, seized Boko Haram mosques released and the sect
given the liberty to carry on its religious activities as it deems fit.

After the bombings in the Maiduguri metropolis during the elections, which are the latest in a spate of
terrorist attacks, the Boko Haram left a three-page statement outside a newspaper office in the city,
warning that more attacks are to be expected from the fundamentalist sect.

Borno State, which has always prided itself as the home of peace, has had the slogan shattered over the
last three years by the daredevilry of the Boko Haram sect. Although many of its members have paid the
supreme price, with the police wiping them out in large numbers at every insurrection, the sect remains a
threat to peace in Borno State.

Bomb attacks almost marred the conduct of the recent elections in the state. The first bomb blast
occurred on 9 Apr, at Ungwar Doki, Maiduguri, near the Monday Market, close to the state High Court.
Five people were seriously wounded in the incident, with one of the INEC officials losing both eyes and
the intestines of another ripped out.
 The bomb that caused the damage had been dropped in the polling unit surreptitiously, some minutes
before the explosion.

At about 7 pm on the same day, six hours after the first blast occurred, there was another detonation in
Abbaganaram, also in the Maiduguri metropolis, adding six more victims to the casualty list. This
incident took place after the elections had already been concluded.

The indiscriminate bomb attacks continued during the presidential election on 16 Apr. An explosion
occurred in the densely populated Mobungaranam area in the morning of the election, killing three
people, including a policeman, and injuring 14 others.

A day before, a bomb was thrown into a police van at Kasuwan Shanu junction, a popular cattle market
in the Maiduguri metropolis.

Three more blasts occurred on the day of the presidential election at Bama Road, Gwangwe and Baga
Road.

At Baga Road, the targets were passers-by. Between 9 and 16 Apr, nine bomb explosions were recorded
in Maiduguri. At 10 pm on 8 Apr, the eve of the National Assembly elections, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff,
the outgoing governor of Borno made a 10-minute television broadcast to people of the state.

After the English version of his speech, he had to break it down into a Kanuri translation for all and
sundry to understand. And his speech was on the conduct of the next day's election, with particular
emphasis on the Boko Haram dread.

Sheriff urged all prospective voters to go out the next day to cast their votes, promising absolute
security. He also attempted to dispel the palpable fear that the Boko Haram was poised to disrupt the
exercise.

In the broadcast, Sheriff, who has been governor for eight years, after a four - year term at the Senate,
said that all security agents, including the police and the army, were on standby to ensure safety for all.
But in spite of the guarantees, the elections turned out to be bloody.

Considering their antecedents, the Boko Haram does not issue empty threats. And the sect has never
hidden the fact that it is always able and willing to unleash terror if the Borno State government does not
grant its wishes.
 After the killing of Alhaji Modu Funami Gubio, then ANPP Borno State’s gubernatorial candidate,
together with Sheriff's younger brother and six others on the same spot earlier in the year, the outgoing
governor came out with claims that political rivals were responsible.

But the Boko Haram group countered the governor's claim. According to them, the bullets that fell
Gubio and seven others with him, came from the guns of Boko Haram adherents.

Sheriff's claim that the Boko Haram could not have carried out the hit was based on his reasoning that
the killings were too clinical and professional with the bullets hitting their targets on the head. The Boko
Haram pattern, which he claims to be abreast of, was to "usually rush in and rush out, shoot in the air and
run into hiding."

But the patterns of past attacks and even the very recent ones credited to the sect are a clear departure
from that. Boko Haram's recent attacks have always been daring and bold and they usually go for the kill.
They cannot be so easily pinned down because their tactics vary. They have been known to employ
guerrilla tactics when confronting security agents.

Statistics at the end of 2010 show that the sect was responsible for the death of about 40 people in
Borno State even as it has killed more policemen than civilians.

On the first Saturday of December 2010 for instance, all hell was let loose when some suspected Boko
Haram gunmen attacked some members of Operation Flush - the elite joint military and police state
security task force-at the Kasuwan Shanu area of Maiduguri.

For more than two hours, a gun battle raged. Two members of the Boko Haram group and three
civilians were killed. Four days later, they launched another attack on security operatives at a check point
at Zannari area, also in Maiduguri. They burnt down a joint task force patrol vehicle after laying an
ambush for them while they were on patrol at Zannari.

Al-Qaeda is synonymous with bomb attacks. And since Boko Haram enjoys its backing, the recent
bomb blasts underline the ties between the two fundamentalist groups. The al-Qaeda group has continued
to spread its tentacles of terror around the world.

The Jos Blasts

 Those who exploded bombs that killed people in Jos, Plateau State on Christmas Eve of 2010, were
linked to the al-Qaeda. There were four simultaneous explosions at Kabong in Gada Biu area of Jos
North, while another one was detonated in front of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kabong.

The Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad [JALJ], a Muslim sect which claimed
responsibility, posted its claims on its web site, http://mansoorah.net/sb_attacks.php. Security officials
said that the group had links with the al-Qaeda.

According to experts, the manner of the Jos bombings bore the hallmark of the al-Qaeda which has the
inclination of claiming responsibility for multiple and simultaneous bombings with heavy casualties, as
well as video postings in Arabic language.

JALJ claimed that it was working under the leadership of Abu Muhammad and Abubakar bin
Muhammad Shekau and reminded Muslims that "Allah enjoined them to make provisions for fighting
disbelievers, since they (disbelievers) are fighting Islam and its faithful."

The group also claimed responsibility for the bombing in a church in Borno State that claimed four
lives.

Security checks revealed that the website was created on 21 Sep 2010 and hosted on a server in
Columbus, Ohio, United States with the registered domain name help centre given as http:/
/tucowsdomains.com/.

Further investigation revealed that "the characters behind the group's website showed that it was
registered by one Aliyu Dahiru of 12 Dankura Street, Gandun Albasa, off Zoo Road, Kano, with the
domain name of mansoorah.net." Aliyu also has a a telephone number +1.2348028539. He claimed to
have a degree from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi and also has a Face-book account.

However, Mr. Olusola Amore, the police force public relations officer, said that the police have
arrested seven suspects over the crisis, adding: "We cannot rule out the fact that the group may be
working with al-Qaeda or others, but the police have arrested seven persons and investigations will
unearth others involved in the crisis."

Eyewitnesses said that no fewer than 30 people were killed in the blasts. Moreover, the United States
said that al-Qaeda was the financier, the planner, and the executor of the Abuja bomb blasts.
Al-Qaeda House Demolished

When the Kano State government received security reports on the activities of Boko Haram members in
the state in 2009, it invited and warned the sect leader, Malam Salisu Yusuf Aljasawy. Equally, the State
Security Service also invited and warned him of the implications of his utterances that were "inimical to
the peace" of the state.

According to Sule Yau Sule, government spokesman, when the state government realized the ideology
of the religious sect after the Wudil incident, "it quickly directed that the man's house and adjoining
mosque in Wudil be demolished."

Detroit Terror Attack: Profile of Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab

Another proof of the al-Qaeda presence in Nigeria was how Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, son of Alhaji
Umaru Mutallab, a native of Funtua and former chairman of First Bank, wanted to take the lives of 278
passengers aboard an America-bound airliner on Christmas Eve in 2009.

To his classmates and teachers at the British School of Lome, in Togo, West Africa, Umar Farouk
AbdulMutallab was the cheerful, if sometimes serious, student whose pious views earned him the
nickname, the Pope.

According to a Daily Telegraph report, his former history teacher at the school, Mike Rimmer,
remembered him as a model pupil but admitted that he had some radical views in his teenage years.

Mr Rimmer told the medium: "In 2001 we discussed the Taliban in class. All the other Muslim kids
thought they were a bunch of nuts with beards, and could not understand why they did such things as
banning kite flying, but Umar seemed to think that was reasonable." And because of his pious and high-
minded attitude, his mates called him 'The Pope' or 'Alfa'.

Mutallab later attended the University College London to study mechanical engineering, where, in his
leisure times, he wore a skullcap. He thereafter moved to Egypt, and then Dubai in the United Arab
Emirates, where he studied for an MBA before dropping out to take some Arabic and Islamic courses.

After the failed bombing, FBI agents said that Mutallab confessed making contact via the internet with
a radical imam in Yemen "who then connected him with al-Qaeda leaders in a village north of the
country's capital, Sanaa."
 Concerned about his son, his father reported his activities to the United States' Embassy in Abuja as
well as to Nigerian security agencies.

The Kaduna Bomb Factory

On 23 Apr, security agents discovered a bomb-making factory, which was disguised as a residential
building in Kaduna. The factory is located at the Rafin Guza area of Kaduna North Local Government, a
few kilometers to the main city.

Mr. Haruna John, the police commissioner in charge of election duties in Kaduna State, said that was
the place where a bomb exploded the previous day, killing one and injuring eight others.

Haruna said that the inspector general of police, Hafiz Ringim, "has constituted a high-powered
investigation team which will soon arrive in Kaduna to investigate the various bomb explosions in the
state and other parts of the country with a view to bringing the culprits and their sponsors to book."

Men of the state security service, the military, and the police have begun intense investigations into the
sources of the bombs, while the team set up by the police boss, led by an assistant inspector general, will
soon arrive in Kaduna to join in the investigations, the commissioner added.

In 2006, a caricature of Prophet Mohammed by a Danish newspaper, reproduced by some media in

Europe, sparked off violence in major cities in northern Nigeria, leaving over 127 people dead.

What the Nigerian Government Can Do

Since it has been established that al-Qaeda is present in Nigeria, security analysts have said that one of
the steps the government needs to adopt is community policing. In other words, if cops are made to work
in their own communities, they will be able to fish out all dangerous elements.

"When there is a crisis in Lagos, for example, when you see policemen in Lagos speaking Igbo, Hausa
or Fulfulde, that does not make for effective policing," an analyst told The NEWS in Lagos.
 The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigations, probing the post-election explosions in Nigeria,
said in its preliminary report that local affiliated terrorist cells provided support on the ground.

The Bureau said that it "conclusively found that the signature of the bomb matched other blasts by the
terror network", and that some bombs" are made to serve as warning with little damage while others are
made to achieve as much collateral damage and deaths as possible, which is the hallmark of al-Qaeda."

As a result, Obama has approved a request by Nigeria for a permanent FBI counter-terrorism unit in the
country.

"These agents normally do investigations after a blast but their job in Abuja may now include preventing
these blasts through better security coordination and surveillance," a US official told the media, adding
that they would also train Nigerians on how to detect and deal with local terror groups.

Thus, President Goodluck Jonathan, apart from awarding a contract for the installation of close-circuit
security cameras at sensitive locations nationwide, including airports, bridges, roads, hotels, and other
places, has vowed to also keep an eye on Islamic scholars visiting Nigeria from the Middle East whose
teachings are deemed inflammatory.

"Groups like the Boko Haram are being influenced and financed by extremist foreign religious leaders
and groups with the intention of overthrowing the Nigerian Government. It is the responsibility of the
government to cut such ties and funding in the interest of national security," the US Homeland
Department officials warned.

In pursuance of achieving the measure, the Central Bank of Nigeria has directed that all banks should
tell their customers to update their data because, according to the US government, "it was discovered that
thousands of fictitious accounts are being used by suspected terror groups to move vast amounts of
money to finance their training and operation. Hopefully the policy will close that window and cut off the
funds."

[Description of Source: Lagos TheNews in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria Arrests 150 Suspected Boko Haram Members After Army Ambush

AFP20110517651012 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1450 GMT 17 May 11

[Corrected version: rewording headline; "Nigeria arrests 150 after army ambush" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, May 17, 2011 (AFP) - Nigeria's military has arrested more than 150 people after a
weekend ambush on an army patrol blamed on members of a radical Islamist sect, a spokesman said on
Tuesday.

"We have made over 150 arrests of suspects in the ambush on a military patrol team by gunmen we
believe to be members of Boko Haram sect in an area of town notorious for attacks on military and police
patrols," army spokesman Lieutenant Abdullahi Muhammad told AFP.

An army patrol team came under attack in Gwange district of the northern city of Maiduguri on Sunday
night, leading to a shootout that lasted for 30 minutes, Muhammad said.

He did not give any details about casualties.

"We cordoned off the whole area and made the arrests," he said.

He said screening of the suspects was underway and those not implicated in the attack would be freed.

Residents of Maiduguri have complained about the way security forces are going about hunting down
members of Boko Haram.
Husseini Hala, a human rights lawyer said there had been "series of complaints of rights abuses" by
troops deployed in the city.

Boko Haram staged a short-lived uprising in parts of the north in 2OO9 in a doomed bid to establish an
Islamic state, but the rebellion was crushed in a brutal military crackdown.

Hundreds of people, mostly sect's members were killed during the crackdown with the group's
headquarters and mosque destroyed in Maiduguri, where most of the violence has occurred.

The sect has in recent months resorted to hit-and-run attacks targeting soldiers and policemen, community
leaders and politicians.

It has also been blamed for raids on police stations, churches and a prison in recent months.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill Traditional Leader's Kin in Borno

AFP20110601598001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 31 May 11

[Report by Hamza Idris and Yahaya Ibrahim: "Gunmen Kill Shehu of Borno's Brother"]
Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect shot and killed Alhaji Abbah Anas Ibn Umar
Garbai El-kanemi, a younger brother of the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-
Kanemi in Maiduguri on Monday night.

Witnesses said the gunmen attacked the prince in his house at Gangamari area, a few metres away from
the Shehu's palace at around 9.30pm.

Musa, who lives close to the palace, said the gunmen stormed the area at night and on sighting the
Shehu's brother in front of his house, they immediately aimed and fired several shots at him before they
fled the scene.

"Many of us were close by when the gunmen trekked to the house which is within a cluster of houses. We
are still wondering how they manoeuvered their way, shot him and immediately disappeared without a
trace," Musa said.

A brother of the deceased who does not want his name in print said the Shehu was alerted immediately
after the shooting. "The Shehu directed that the police attached to the palace should go to the scene and
the together with them, we took Anas to the hospital... he was lying in a pool of his blood and doctors
confirmed that he was dead," Musa said.

It was gathered that Alhaji Anas, aged about 30, was an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense
Corps (NSCDC). Thousands of people thronged to the Shehu's palace yesterday and attended the funeral
prayers. He was buried around 11am at the royal cemetery which is situated within the precincts of the
palace.

The Shehu of Borno, the emir of Bama Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar and dozens of district heads took part in
the rites, as did the Borno State police Commissioner Mohammed Abubakar and Air Commodore Ibrahim
Pawa, commander of the 204 Wing of the Nigeria Air Force. Many key government officials also
attended the funeral.

In their condolence messages to the Shehu, the security chiefs described the death of Anas as very
unfortunate and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest. Police spokesman ASP Lawal Abdullahi said
they have launched investigations and that new strategies have been employed by security operatives in
the state. "The gunmen will soon be tracked down and will face prosecution," he said.

He appealed to residents to support the security agencies with information in order to fish out the gunmen
who have been terrorizing the state. Late Anas left behind a wife and children.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Gunmen Bomb Police Station In Northern Nigeria

AFP20110601637002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1126 GMT 01 Jun 11

[AFP headline "Gunmen bomb police station in northern Nigeria"]

KANO, Nigeria, June 1, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen hurled a bomb and fired shots at a Nigerian police station,
heightening tensions in northern Bauchi state after a deadly attack on a military barracks last week, police
said on Wednesday.

One policeman was listed as missing after the attack on Tuesday night, which came only days after a
string of bomb blasts ripped through a crowded beer garden at a barracks in Bauchi city, killing at least 13
people, shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan was inaugurated.

"There was a bomb attack on Bulkacuwa police station last night by unknown attackers who also fired
gunshots," Bauchi state police commissioner Abdulkadir Indabawa told AFP.

He said the police station, situated some 180 kilometres (110 miles) north of Bauchi city, was seriously
damaged.
A local resident Babandi Umar said the attackers used explosives and gunshots when they stormed the
station around 8:15 pm (1915 GMT).

"One of the two policemen inside the police station as at the time of the attack is still missing," said
Umar.

"The police station has been badly damaged, the walls are riddled with bullet holes."

Bauchi is one of the predominantly Muslim northern states hard hit by post-election riots that left 800
dead in April.

Police said they had no idea who the attackers were. Nobody has claimed responsibility.

An Islamist sect known as Boko Haram, which launched an uprising in 2009 and has been blamed for
dozens of killings in the northeast where it targets security forces and community leaders, has also been
active in Bauchi.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Threatens To Destroy University Hospital in Borno State

AFP20110604565002 New York Sahara Reporters in English 0249 GMT 04 Jun 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Threatens To Demolish University Hospital in Maiduguri"]

Nigerian islamist group- "Boko Haram" -today dropped a note at the accident and emergency unit of
University Hospital in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria, threatening to destroy the hospital in due
course.

They claimed in the note that the hospital staff do not treat their injured members when they were taken
there, allowing them to die of their injuries.

The group vowed to demolish the hospital at a time of their choosing.

Recently, the group claimed credit for the bombings across northern Nigeria on the eve of the presidential
inaugural ceremony.

Also yesterday, the group burnt down a warehouse owned by Borno ministry of health where vaccines
used in immunizing kids against polio, measles and meningitis were kept.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]

Xinhua: Nigerian Troops Clash With Sect Group in Northeastern State

CPP20110606968063 Beijing Xinhua in English 0800 GMT 06 Jun 11

[Xinhua: "Nigerian Troops Clash With Sect Group in Northeastern State"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Two persons were killed at the weekend in a northeastern
town of Nigeria when troops deployed to quell religious extremism clashed with a popular Islamic sect
Boko Haram, according to local police.

The two persons were hit by stray bullets in the clash with the members of Boko Haram.

"I think the sect members had attempted to attack the troops and the whole thing went bloody as the
troops kept firing them," Christopher, a motor mechanic, told Xinhua on Sunday.

Three other persons were wounded during the attack which occurred at Biu, a remote community
predominantly dominated by the Christian natives.

Biu, a colonial settlement, is about 187 km south of Maiduguri, the seat of government in the northeastern
state of Nigeria.

But while the shooting at Biu between the troops and the Boko Haram lasted, some miscreants were said
to have set ablaze two local assemblies of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) at Gwoza, another
remote town following alleged homosexual act by two men.

Gwoza is a small community on the Nigerian-Cameroon border.

According to a resident, the alleged homosexual act was committed by two Christians near a mosque, an
act which the residents insisted runs contrary Islamic injunctions and Sharia in the area.

But a police source in Gwoza, claimed only one of the partner in the purported homosexual act is a
Christian, adding that the rumor had triggered off violent reaction by some miscreants.

"They went on rampage and burnt two Churches," the police source told Xinhua.

State commissioner of police Mohammed Abubakar confirmed the two incidents to Xinhua but decline to
give more details on the killing of the two at Biu.
"The two died as a result of stray bullet but no arrest was made," he said. He promised to investigate the
burning of the churches and alleged homosexuality at Gwoza even as he warned against linking of the
burning of churches to Boko Haram.

[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency)]

Nigeria: Group Urges Violent Islamic Sect to Embrace Peace

AFP20110606686004 Port Harcourt The Neighborhood in English 06 Jun 11 p 3

[Report by Austin Ilechi: "Northern Group Urges Boko Haram to Accept Amnesty"]

The Northern Nigeria Renaissance Group [NNRG] has called on the radical Islamic sect popularly known
as Boko Haram to accept the amnesty offer by the Borno State government and stop the killing of
innocent people.

The newly formed group particularly frowned at the recent attack on the St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral
and the Catholic Research centre in Maiduguri, Borno State capital and other attacks on religious centers.

The national coordinator of the group and its secretary general, Ibrahim Sanyi-Sanyi and Ali Liman, in a
statement made available to newsmen in Kano over the weekend, said the amnesty offer to members of
the outlawed Boko Haram is a welcome development as the search for peace and security in the troubled
state continues.

It added that the offer should be pursued with all will, sincerity and vigor and urged the state government
to initiate open and serious move to the realization of this amnesty program.
"We will like to passionately appeal to our disgruntled Northern brothers and sisters in Boko Haram, to
please accept this offer of amnesty made by the government of Borno state, declare ceasefire and come to
round table for dialogue," the group said.

"Our region is already devastated by poverty, illiteracy, youth unemployment, preventable diseases, and
underdevelopment. We cannot afford to worsen our woes with killings, bombings and creation of general
atmosphere of fear and insecurity."

The group also said Boko Haram leaders should realize that history has shown that similar violent
struggles in Northern Nigeria were not winnable and that they only brought sufferings, deaths and
agonizing memories to both the warring parties and their innocent brothers and sisters. It also called on
other northern governors to reach out to the militants.

"The government of Bauchi and Yobe States should emulate that of Borno by offering amnesty to
members of Boko Haram residing in their jurisdiction and sincerely put in place modalities to implement
it. It is high time we move ahead and put behind us the dark images of sectarian violence and the gory
memories it evokes," they said.

The group also solicited for the corporation of the leaders of the major religions in Nigeria - Islam and
Christianity - by preaching the message of peace among their followers.

"We want appeal to religious leaders in the North to fear God Almighty and preach peace, forgiveness
and peaceful coexistence among their followers. Mere public declaration that both Islam and Christianity
preach peace is not sufficient: the clerics must preach the word of peace to their congregations and not
hatred, resentment, suspicion and incitement," the statement urged.

The group appealed to all state governments in the North, especially those with mixed population of
Muslims and Christians, to put in place mechanism that will monitor activities of freelance, uneducated
and often quack preachers that go about preaching hatred amongst the adherents of their respective
religions.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Neighborhood in English -- Privately owned daily]
Boko Haram's Attacks on Church, Police Station Kill 5 in Northern Nigeria

AFP20110607670008 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 07 Jun 11

["Five killed in Islamists sect attacks in Nigeria" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, June 7, 2011 (AFP) - Bomb attacks by members of an Islamist sect targetting a church
and a police station in Nigeria's troubled city of Maiduguri killed five people on Tuesday, police said.

"There were attacks by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram in which five people in all were
killed and three injured including two policemen," police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi.

He said the attackers "hurled an explosive device into the premises of the police station which went off
but did not cause any causalties."

But gunbattles broke out between the police and the attackers "in which the police succeeded in killing
three of the gunmen," he said. Two policemen were injured in the shootout.

"In the second attack another group of sect members hurled a bomb apparently targeting St Patrick's
(Catholic) church, but missed the target and landed on the street outside," said Abdullahi.

It went off and killed two passers-by and injured another.

Another bomb went off near the same church last week but with no casualties.

On Monday a gunman killed a Wahabbi cleric and imam of a mosque in Biu town who was critical of
Boko Haram ideology especially its rejection of Western education and its resort to violence, his
neighbours said.

Ibrahim Birkuti was shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman thought to be a member of Boko Haram sect
outside his house Biu, 2OO kilometres (120 miles) south of Maiduguri, which is in Borno state.

The sect which launched an uprising in 2009 and has been blamed for dozens of killings in the northeast
where it targets security forces, community leaders and government institutions.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: 10 Die in Multiple Bomb Explosions in Borno State

FEA20110608018677 - OSC Feature - This Day Online 08 Jun 11

[Report by Michael Olugbode: "Pandemonium as Explosions Kill 10"]

There was pandemonium in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Tuesday as multiple explosions, which
rocked the city, led to the death of 10 people. The explosions, which made the people to flee the capital
city, were believed to have been detonated by the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.

While the explosions went on simultaneously, several gunshots were heard in some parts of the ancient
town.

Although the Borno State Police Command, which confirmed the incidents, claimed that only five
persons died in the explosions, eyewitnesses said 10 persons were killed.

In one of the explosions, THISDAY gathered that three members of the sect lost their lives when the
bomb they tried to detonate at a Catholic church, St. Patrick Church, accidentally went off.

The members of the group had last week attempted to bomb the church, but only a part of it was affected
by the explosion. All this happened barely 24 hours after a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheik Ibrahim Biu,
was shot dead in his house in Biu town, a distance of 187km from Maiduguri, by suspected members of
the same group.

Also, Gwange Police Divisional Headquarters, the Dandal Police Divisional Headquarters, as well as
parts of St Patrick Church were destroyed by the explosions.

The explosions went off shortly after the state Governor Kashim Shettima visited and addressed the state
House of Assembly, from where he later paid an inspection visit to the Baga Motor Park, as well as the
Musa Usman State Secretariat, a stone's throw from St. Patrick Catholic Church, and the water treatment
plant, all within the state capital.

THISDAY source said gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram invaded the Gwange Police
Divisional headquarters and threw several bombs into the station and after the explosions; the assailants,
who stood back, engaged the policemen at the police station in gun battle.

It was also gathered that the police shot and killed three of the gunmen, while two passers-by were killed
by stray bullets.
A source at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
confirmed that at about 2:30pm yesterday, five corpses were brought to the hospital. He also said 14
critically injured persons were rushed to the hospital from the Gwange Divisional Police Station.

Apart from the explosions at the Gwange Police Station, another blast was reported to have gone off in a
blue Honda Accord car, which was suspected to be carrying some explosive devices, right in front of the
gate of St Patrick Church.

Three occupants of the car, believed to be members of Boko Haram sect, were burnt to ashes while two
passers-by were also killed as a result of the explosion.

A police man on guard at the St. Patrick Church, who pleaded anonymity, said three persons, including
the assailants in the car, died instantly, while others were injured.

He added that the bomb in the car went off shortly after another one was thrown from the car at the
church building which resulted in damaging parts of the fence and the roofing of a building within the
church premises.

Eyewitnesses said the impact of the bomb that exploded at St Patrick Church, which was situated right
opposite the Musa Usman Secretariat, shook the secretariat building and shattered the windows of the
offices. Workers of the church were said to have fled the premises.

Details of the explosion that occurred at the Dandal Police Divisional headquarters were sketchy as at
press time, but the police station building was defaced when THISDAY visited the premises.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lawan Abdullahi, said despite the casualties, the day had been
"a day of victory for the police because we have gunned down three of the Boko Haram members".

He added that one AK 47 rifle was recovered from the attackers at the Gwange police station.

Major roads in the town, especially those leading to the scene of the incidents and the Government House
have been cordoned off as th e streets were deserted.
[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Suspected Islamists Kill Prison Warden, Traditional Ruler in Northern Nigeria

AFP20110609309004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2200 GMT 08 Jun 11

["Gunmen kill prison warden in northern Nigeria" -- AFP headlines]

KANO, Nigeria, June 8, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen killed a prison warden and a traditional chief in Nigeria's
northern state of Bauchi where a radical Islamist sect is active, police said Wednesday.

A neighbourhood leader who also works as a prison warden, Ibrahim Ali Figidi, was gunned down
outside his house by two men who fled on a motorcycle in the typical hit-and-run style of the Boko
Haram sect.

"They knocked on his door and he came out to see who the visitor was. They shot him three times and
fled. We still dont know who the attackers are," Bauchi police spokesman Mohammed Barau told AFP.

Attacks blamed on Boko Haram have been concentrated in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, but the
sect that launched a botched uprising in 2009 has also been active in Bauchi.

Bomb blasts rocked an outdoor bar and killed more than a dozen people hours after President Goodluck
Jonathan was sworn in on May 29. Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Taliban, claimed
responsibility for that attack.
A day later, gunmen hurled a bomb and fired shots at a police station in Bulkacuwa, 180 kilometres (112
miles) north of the capital, killing one policeman.

In September last year, Boko Haram attacked a prison in Bauchi and freed more than 700 inmates.

Bauchi is one of the predominantly Muslim northern states hard hit by post-election riots that left 800
dead in April.

Boko Haram has been blamed for dozens of killings in the northeast of the country, where it targets
security forces and community leaders.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria Police Say Arrested 14 Islamists Following Deadly Bomb Attacks in North

AFP20110609683003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 09 Jun 11

[" 14 Nigerian Islamists arrested after deadly bomb attacks" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, June 9, 2011 (AFP) - Police in northern Nigeria said on Thursday they have arrested 14
suspected Islamists thought to be linked to bomb attacks on a church and police stations that killed 14
people this week.
The arrests were made in the troubled city of Maiduguri, where attacks blamed on an extremist sect have
killed dozens in recent months.

"We have made 14 arrests of suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect in connection with
Tuesday's attacks," Borno state police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi said.

He said investigations would determine "the level of complicity of the suspects in the attacks and we are
on the lookout for other suspects."

Several bomb explosions and gunshots rocked the city in attacks suspected to have been staged by
members of the radical Islamic sect which has claimed responsibility for other attacks targeting soldiers
and policemen, community and religious leaders as well as politicians.

A pentecostal pastor with the Church of Christ in Nigeria was among those killed in Tuesday's blasts
while a Catholic church targeted in the attacks was badly shattered.

Boko Haram sect launched an uprising a little under two years ago, but it was brutally put down by
security forces.

Speaking to reporters on the margins of an international HIV/AIDS conference in New York, President
Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said he would back local government initiatives to open a dialogue
with the Islamists.

"There is nothing wrong if you want to negotiate with militia groups that carry weapons against the state,"
he said adding "we did that ... and we succeeded in the Niger Delta," referring to the oil-rich south where
militants once wreaked havoc in the oil sector.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Government Plans To Offer Amnesty to Islamic Sect To End Borno Crisis

AFP20110610565001 Lagos This Day Online in English 10 Jun 11

[Report by Ahamefula Ogbu: "FG Mulls Amnesty for Boko Haram Members"]

Worried by the growing insecurity in the North-east geo-political zone of the country as a result of the
activities of members of the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, the Federal Government
Thursday perfected a two-prong approach to restore peace in the area.

The government's template for peace contains what it calls "stick and carrot" approach as enunciated by
President Goodluck Jonathan in New York on Wednesday. This involves an amnesty package for the
group as well as strengthening security in the area to end the on-going blood-letting in the zone.

As a first step towards that, a security meeting, presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo to perfect
the template for the amnesty was held Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of
Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; and
Borno State Commissioner of Police, M. D Abubakar; while the Chief of Naval Staff and Inspector
General of Police were represented.

Although details of the package are still subject to review, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who
was at Thursday's meeting, said: "For those that are ready to lay down their arms, the president was very
emphatic yesterday (Wednesday) in New York when he said we were going to apply the carrot and stick
approach. For those that are willing to lay down their arms, I believe the Federal Government and the
state government will be very magnanimous. This is an agenda the state government has been
championing since we came to power."

To set the ball rolling, THISDAY gathered that the government will reinvigorate its intelligence gathering
method to be able to nip in the bud further incidence of bombings in the area.

"This is in tandem of the commitment of Jonathan on the matter to the international community in New
York. He had promised to check the activities of the group, so the security chiefs had to work ahead of
time so that they would have a template on how to address the matter before the return of the president to
the country," a source told THISDAY.

The service chiefs, it was also gathered, decided to concentrate more on intelligence gathering before
offering a chance to the group to surrender their arms and have pardon in the mode of the amnesty
programme declared in the Niger Delta.

Shettima further confirmed that the parley centred on the Boko Haram threats and attacks and stated the
readiness of the Federal Government to contain the group.

"Actually, we came to have discussions with the vice-president and other security chiefs on security
challenges we are facing in Borno State. We had fruitful discussions and we cross-coordinated our ideas
on how to address those pending issues and the vice-president has pledged full Federal Government
support towards nipping in the bud, once and for all, the Boko Haram insurrection in the North-east," he
said.

He could however not say if more troops would be deployed but added that Boko Haram would soon be a
thing of the past.

The governor insisted that the Boko Haram issue was a political problem but pointed out that it was still
premature to be definite on certain decisions about the menace though he expects to open a line of
dialogue with the group to enable them to establish their grievances before the government will know
how to approach it.

"Let's open the line of dialogue, know their grievances and see how we can address them but the line of
dialogue is very much open. Boko Haram, I wish to reiterate, is a political problem and a political
problem always needs a political solution.
"Meanwhile, we cannot talk to them from a position of weakness, we have to talk to them from a position
of strength and the Federal Government has pledged all the support needed for us to restore peace and
tranquillity to Borno State and for the state to restore its lost glory as the home of peace," he explained.

Shettima howev er did not respond to the allegation that he was politicising the Boko Haram issue as he
would not want to legitimise the contemptuous position of his opponents, who he alleged easily launch
into diatribe against him.

In a related development, abductors of the five corps members in Ikwerre Local Government area of
Rivers State have demanded a ransom of N100 million.

It was learnt Thursday that the corps members, four females and one male, were kidnapped during their
mandatory Community Development Services (CDS) in Omademe on Tuesday afternoon.

An official of NYSC in the council, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted
the families of their victims and made the outrageous demand. The official also said

the abductors contacted the inspector of the NYSC in the area, making similar demands as a condition for
the release of the corps members.

"The kidnappers have called and they are asking for N100 million [Naira] as ransom. They are saying that
N20 million must be paid for each of the corps members.

"They were even telling us to pay the money without delay, that delay is dangerous. I do not understand
the meaning of that language, but I pray that nothing should happen to the 'corpers'," the sourced said.

The state NYSC [National Youth Service Corps] Coordinator, Mrs. Esther Chimele-Wogbo, however,
denied any knowledge of such demand, saying she was yet to receive such information from any of her
member of staff.

"I cannot confirm if they are asking for ransom because we are yet to establish contact with them," the
director explained.

She did not rule out the possibility that the kidnappers had contacted the families of their victims.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Ben Ugwuegbulam, did not pick calls repeatedly put across to
his telephone by THISDAY.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Police Arrest 2 Islamic Sect Members With Bomb Devices in Maiduguri

AFP20110611565001 New York Sahara Reporters in English 1512 GMT 10 Jun 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Militants Arrested at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
With Bomb Parts"]

Two members of Borno state based- islamist group Boko Haram were today, friday afternoon caught with
bomb devices they had planned to use in destroying the University teaching hospital in Maiduguri.

Saharareporters had earlier revealed plans by the group to bomb the hospital for not treating their
wounded members.

Eyewitness accounts say the militant members were caught with 6 guns and gas cylinder.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]
Nigeria:Borno State Prison Boss Denies Wardens Kill Boko Haram Militants

AFP20110612617002 London BBC World Service in English 1706 GMT 10 Jun 11

[From "Focus on Africa" hosted by Nick Ericson]

We go to northern Nigeria next where the Islamist group, Boko Haram, has accused prison officials of
killing some of its members whilst holding them in custody without letting them go to trial. The Boko
Haram sect has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in northern Nigeria over the past year. It
says its aim is to overthrow the Nigerian State. The accusations over prison deaths follow a fresh series of
blasts in the City of Maiduguri earlier this week for which 14 people have so far been arrested. Three
alleged Boko Haram members were killed in a subsequent fire fight on Tuesday [ 7 June] and two police
officers. Well, for reaction to the claims, our reporter, Bilkisu Babangida, spoke to Mallam Usman Maina,
the controller of Borno State prison service.

[Begin recording] [Maina] Those that went on bail, they know how we handle them without any iota of
atrocity. They know how we handle them with brotherliness. They know how we handle them. We cater
for them and let them know that prison is not for maltreatment. Prison is for reformation. We have no iota
of any reason to maltreat anybody and I assure you, any moment those 52 people transferred to Kuje or
Kirikiri prison, all of them, if they need them in court anytime they produce the production warrant, we
are ready to bring them to that place.

[Babangida] This allegation that your men were involved in the secret execution of inmates- that is
talking about Boko Haram -- they said about almost 50 of them were executed in secretly in the prison.
What do you have to say about this?

[Maina] I do not know who executed that. Nobody killed one person. Some of them went of bail and
those 52 remaining, they were taken to Abuja, to Kuje and the Kirikiri prison.

[Babangida] And then, why do you think the Boko Haram militants are now after your men? Do you not
think that it is because of this kind of (?allegation)?
[Maina] You see, sometimes, things come like that. Whether you do it or you do not do it, rumor used to
bring atrocities. The only thing is rumor mongering -- that brought this issue. Actually, we did not kill
anybody and we have not poisoned anybody and I assure you, any moment they need their people at the
court, they will see them there.

[Babangida] Police stations, churches, government buildings, and of course, prisons as well, are being
targeted by the Boko Haram militants now.So, how do you face the challenges of safeguarding the lives
of inmates and your staff?

[Maina] Well, effective security - is highly maintained around that area. We do not allow anybody to go
near that place. Fortunately for us, that prison maximum security just by ... [pause] I think opposite of
army barracks -- is a very vast land. There is no building around it because of the security. Anybody
coming, we will see him, so, it is left for us to effect the control of security. I still plead with these people
to understand with us. Let them know that we do not hurt anybody and all staff that I see that even wants
to maltreat an inmate, I used to remove him from that station. [end recording]

That was Mallam Usman Maina, the controller of Borno State prison service.

[Description of Source: London BBC World Service in English -- External radio service of the United
Kingdom's public service broadcaster]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Gives 'Fresh' Conditions To Hold Dialogue With Government

AFP20110613565009 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0304 GMT 13 Jun 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Boko Haram Wants Sheriff, Shehu of Borno Prosecuted"]

Few days after President Goodluck Jonathan promised in New York, United States of America (USA), to
adopt "carrot and stick" method in order to end the insurgency launched by members of the Jama'atu
ahlus sunnah lid da'awati wal jihad popularly called Boko Haram, the group yesterday issued fresh
conditions that must be fulfilled before they would agree to discuss with the Federal Government.

They want Governor Kashim Shettima to resign, while his predecessor Ali Sherriff and top security
officials who served in the state in 2009 as well as the Shehu of Borno be prosecuted.

A letter signed by Usman Al-Zawahiri which was written in Hausa and distributed to newsmen said peace
will continue to elude the country unless the conditions are met.

However, the letter could not be verified from other sources as originating from Boko Haram.

Titled, "Conditions for dialogue with President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Kashim Shettima",
Alzawahiri said they have reduced their demand for the strict enforcement of the Sharia legal system to
the Muslims-dominated states of the North and immediate release of all members of the sect detained in
Borno and other northern states.

Other conditions listed in the letter include the prosecution of some politicians, traditional rulers and
security chiefs.

"The following people must be prosecuted according to Islamic law for conspiracy which resulted in the
killing of late Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf after he was arrested alive by soldiers who handed him over to
the police at the 21 Armoured Brigade, popularly known as Giwa Military Barrack in Maiduguri.

"They include the immediate past Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji
Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi; former Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Yakubu Lame; former
Borno State Commissioner of Police and Director of the State Security Service (SSS), who were in charge
of security during the sectarian mayhem in 2009," the letter said.

"Similarly, others that must be prosecuted according to Sharia Islamic law include the security operatives
particularly those attached to the Operation Flush Joint Task Force (JTF) for causing the first crisis along
the custom area in Maiduguri metropolis when they shot and wounded 20 of our brothers and killed two
others. They also shot dead seven of our brothers and wounded 10 others during the commissioning of a
mosque in Monguno local government.

"We also demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the killings of Baa Fugu
Mohammed, the father in-law of our late leader and Alhaji Buju Foi," the letter said.
Other conditions given in the letter include the immediate resignation of Governor Kashim Shettima.

"The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) -led government in Borno State must resign because its leaders
were responsible for the attack on the Ibn Thaimiyya Islamic center (Markas) and the house of our leader
in Maiduguri.

"We also request for an immediate investigation into the killing of our brothers through food poisoning
which was perpetrated by prison warders with connivance of former Governor Ali Sheriff.

"We want the Federal Government to release the report of the committee of inquiry set up by late
President Umaru Yar'adua which was led by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Abdullahi Sarki
Mukhtar on the extra-judicial killings of our brothers during the 2009 unrest," the group said.

"If the aforementioned conditions are not met, we would not participate in any dialogue with the Federal
Government," the letter said.

The members said the proposed deployment of additional troops to the state as announced by Governor
Shettima would not deter them from the ongoing guerrilla attacks in all parts of the country.

"We challenge the government to seek assistance of FBI, CIA, the Israel intelligence agency, MOSSAD
[Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations] or INTERPOL, and see if these security outfits would
stop us from fulfilling our mission," the group said.

Already, governor Sheriff's in-law and former national vice chairman of the ANPP, Awana Ngala as well
as his younger brother Goni Modu, a former chairman of Ngala local government have been killed. So
also Abba Anas Garbai, a younger brother of the Shehu of Borno, including many police officers and
men, prison warders, clerics and other people.

When contacted to comment on the issue, Habu Kyari, the Chief of Staff to Governor Shettima said 'we
would have to see the, deliberate on it before coming out with a position.'

As at the time of filing this report, officials of the Shehu's palace could not be reached.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigerian Islamists Reportedly Willing To Talk to Government Provided Terms Met

AFP20110613517006 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1334 GMT 13 Jun 11

["Nigerian Islamists ready to talk to government, set terms" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, June 13, 2011 (AFP) - A Nigerian Islamist sect behind a spate of bombings and shoot-
and-run killings on Monday said it would lay down arms and open dialogue with authorities provided
some conditions are met.

One of the conditions Boko Haram set was the strict application of Sharia law in 12, or a third, of
Nigeria's 36 states.

"We demand for the strict enforcement of sharia legal system in the Muslim-dominated states in the north
as part of conditions for dialogue with the government," the group said in a statement anonymously
delivered to journalists in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.

The 12 states re-adopted Sharia in 1999, but Boko Haram - whose name means 'Western education is sin'
in the local hausa dialect - believes the law is cosmetic and not adhered to.

Written in the widely-spoken northern language of hausa, the statement titled "conditions for dialogue
with President Goodluck Jonathan and governor Kashim Shettima" was released in Maiduguri where the
sect has concentrated its attacks.
The statement was in apparent response to overtures for talks with the militants by the newly-elected
governor of Borno state, Shettima, with the backing of Jonathan.

Jonathan last week told reporters in New York that he would support attempts to talk to the Islamic
militants in the predominately Muslim north to end months of deadly attacks in this region of Africa's
most populous country.

The group, demanded the prosecution, under the Islamic Sharia law, of some politicians, traditional and
security forces accused of responsibility for the extra-judicial killing of sect members in the 2OO9
uprising.

"If the government meets these conditions we will agree to a ceasefire and enter into dialogue with them,"
said the statement signed by one Usman Al-Zawahiri claiming to be its spokesman.

Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Talibans, launched an uprising in 2009 which was brutally put
down by security forces.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Kill 4 People in Borno State

AFP20110614565001 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 13 Jun 11

[Report by Saxone Akhaine, Mohammed Abubakar, Lawrence Njoku and Njadvara Musa: "Killings in
Borno as Police Foil Abduction, Blast in Enugu, Kaduna"]
Bomb planting and detonation, killing of innocent residents by bandits, and crackdown on kidnappers by
the police and military were the common occurrences on Sunday and yesterday in Borno, Kaduna, and
Enugu states.

In Borno, suspected Boko Haram (haters of Western civilisation) gunmen killed four people on Sunday in
Bulunkutu ward of Maiduguri in a liquor outlet at 8.25 p.m.

Panic swept through Narayi area of Kaduna metropolis yesterday as a device later confirmed to be a
bomb was discovered by the residents. The Police Anti-Bomb Disposal Squad quickly moved in to the
scene and recovered and detonated the bomb allegedly planted by bandits.

The bomb was recovered at one of the gates leading to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC) staff quarters in Narayi.

It was however a sad day for a three-man kidnap gang yesterday evening as its members were arrested by
the police in Nsukka, Enugu State, while attempting to abduct some school children.

The Guardian learned that the gang, which operated in an unmarked car had laid ambush around the
school gate, waiting for the students to close for the day before they swooped on their target.

The Boko Haram suspects, according to the police, rode on a motorcycle with a Kalashnikov rifle hid
under their flowing gowns and opened fire on the victims in the beer parlour.

The state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said the armed sect
had resorted to attacking people in hotels and beer parlours.

He said because of the tight security and intensive patrol of Maiduguri streets and highways, the bandits
had gone to remote locations to perpetrate their heinous acts.

Abubakar said: "These terrorists are waging guerrilla warfare against the police and the people we are
protecting and property," adding that the police would continue to increase security measures in the state.

Yesterday's bomb discovery came barely five days after a similar device was recovered and detonated by
the police in Goni Gora area of Kaduna.
The two communities are within the southern part of the state.

Witnesses at the NNPC quarters said the bomb was discovered by one of the security guards attached to
one of the gates of the quarters before the police anti-bomb squad was alerted at 4.00 a.m.

The alarm raised by the security guard attracted people living in the area, as they were alleged to have
made frantic efforts to contact relevant authorities to pick up the strange object.

But, a source explained that when it was 8.00 a.m. and the strange object was still lying on the ground,
residents took to other routes to their offices and markets.

The state police spokesperson, Aminu Lawan, confirmed the incident. He said: "Yes, it is an explosive
object discovered by the people and we recovered and detonated it immediately."

Luck was said to have ran against suspected kidnappers in Nsukka when a police patrol vehicle swooped
on them. But in a gun duel that ensued, the police shot one of them and arrested two others.

Confirming the incident, after the men were brought to the state police headquarters in Enugu, the
command's Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, said the gang did not succeed in carrying out their
nefarious act, stressing that they were arrested while trying to kidnap the children.

Amarizu said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations and called on the residents to
furnish the command with information about criminals in their areas.

And disturbed about the havoc wrecked on some northern states by the Boko Haram sect, a cleric, Isa el-
Buba has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the affected states.

Of particular concern to el-Buba is the resurgence of Boko Haram in Borno and Bauchi states with relics
in some northern cities, which activities have led to the loss of life and property, and places of worship
burnt.
El-Buba, who is the founder of Evangelical Bible Outreach Min istries International (EBOMI), Prayer
City in Jos, Plateau State, said the Boko Haram sect was behind the terrorism in several northern towns
and appealed to the Presidency to check their excesses.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Islamists Shoot Dead Four at Bar in Nigerian Area Of Northern City of Maiduguru

AFP20110614642006 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1715 GMT 13 Jun 11

KANO, Nigeria, June 13, 2011 (AFP) - Suspected members of a radical Islamic sect have shot dead four
people at a beer garden in a north Nigerian town where the group recently staged bomb and gun attacks,
police said Monday.

"Four people were killed in an attack by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect on a beer
parlour in the Bulunkutu surburb of the city last night," Zakari Adamu, assistant police commissioner for
Borno state told AFP.

The attack occured in Maiduguri, the northeastern city which has been the focus of many attacks and
where the group staged an uprising two years ago.

"The gunmen opened fire on people drinking in the beer parlour, killing four before engaging in a
shootout with police who were attracted to the scene by gunshots", Adamu said on the phone from
Maiduguri.

The assailants escaped.

Although Borno state is one of the 12 northern Nigerian states that have adopted the Muslim Sharia law,
which bans alcohol, people there still drink beer openly.

The attack came a week after multiple bomb explosions and shootings targeting two police stations and a
church rocked the city.

At least 14 people, including a pentecostal church pastor, were killed and 17 others seriously injured in
the attacks.

Police have intensified surveillance in Maiduguri since last week's attacks, leading to 19 arrests and the
recovery of weapons including two rocket launchers and kalashnikov rifles.

"We arrested 14 people along with the weapons while five others were arrested for bringing in bombs into
the city," said Adamu.

The suspects have been taken to the police headquarters in Nigeria's capital Abuja for further
investigation, he said.

Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Talibans, launched an uprising in 2009 which was put down by
a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.

The sect, which has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state, has been blamed for shootings of police
and community leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches, police stations and a prison.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Borno Government Says Islamic Sect's Faction 'Ready' To Hold Dialogue
AFP20110615565001 Lagos This Day Online in English 15 Jun 11

[Report by Michael Olugbode: "'Borno Govt, Boko Haram Ready for Dialogue'"]

Borno State Government Tuesrday said progress has been made in the planned dialogue with the
notorious Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram as one of its factions has indicated interest in
dialogue.

Speaking to journalists, in Maiduguri, the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha said the state
government has also put everything in place to end the onslaught of the group on the state with the
donation of ten Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the police.

The deputy governor while revealing that the group is currently factionalized into three said this has made
it difficult to know who is who among the group adding that since one of the factions has shown
willingness to talk to government, they do no have a choice but to keep their doors opened.

He however said the government was making the offer to dialogue because it is interested in bringing
peace and harmony to the state and this should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

Mustapha said the government will not accept some unreasonable publicized conditions touted by
unidentified persons.

He said if government will go into dialogue with the Boko Haram group it has to be in the interest of
majority of the people of the state and not based on some difficult conditions of the fundamentalists.

He emphasized that the dialogue has to be on the conditions of government and not that of the Boko
Haram even as he reassured the people of the state that the government will not do anything that will
undermine their security.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim who was in the state to take delivery of the APCs
said the task of the police in curbing the excesses of the Boko Haram was made difficult because his men
were not assisted with the right information.
The police boss, who emphasized the fact that the task of security of lives and property is that of
everyone, insisted that the only way the police can push the Islamic fundamentalists out of Borno is when
it is given the right information to work with.

Ringim however assured that with the latest additions into the police armouring the group would be
haunted and driven out of Borno.

He disclosed that he has told his men that their task is to ensure peace and order and that they have
assured him they are ready to comb all the nooks and crannies of the state for the Islamic fundamentalists.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigerian Islamists Threaten More Violent Attacks; Angry at Government Statements

AFP20110615642002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 15 Jun 11

KANO, Nigeria, June 15, 2011 (AFP) - A Nigerian Islamist sect that staged a series of deadly attacks
mainly in the country's north on Wednesday threatened "fiercer" attacks and said it would not enter into
talks with the government.

The Boko Haram group, which had two days ago laid down conditions for any talks with government,
also disclosed for the first time that it had links with Islamists in Somalia.

"Dialogue with President (Goodluck) Jonathan has collapsed," because of the statements made by the
inspector general of police and governor of northern Borno state, the group said.

It said it was angered by the police chief Hafiz Ringim's declaration that "the days of Boko Haram are
numbered".
"Very soon, we will wage jihad...We want to make it known that our jihadists have arrived in Nigeria
from Somalia where they received real training on warfare from our brethren who made that country
ungovernable...," said the group in a handwritten statement.

"This time round, our attacks will be fiercer and wider than they have been," it said, adding it will target
all northern states and the country's capital Abuja.

The statement in Hausa, a widely spoken language in the north, was anonymously delivered to journalists
in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, where the attacks are concentrated.

The sect admitted links with a foreign Islamist group connected to Al-Qaeda, although security experts
had already speculated that it had established ties with Islamists in north Africa.

The statement purportedly emanated from "Jama'atu Ahlis-sunnah lidda'ati wal Jihad", another name the
sect calls itself.

Boko Haram had on Monday issued a statement setting conditions for ceasefire and dialogue with the
government, which included the strict application of sharia law in the 12 predominately Muslim states in
the north.

Also known as the Nigerian Talibans, the group launched an uprising in 2009 which was put down by a
brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.

The sect, which has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state, has been blamed for shootings of police
and community leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches, police stations and a prison.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Suspected Suicide Bomb Hits Nigeria Police Headquarters

AFP20110616646003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1140 GMT 16 Jun 11

["Suspected suicide bomb hits Nigeria police HQ" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, June 16, 2011 (AFP) - A powerful bomb blew up inside the Nigerian police headquarters in the
capital on Thursday, killing a suspected suicide bomber although other casualties were not immediately
clear, officials said.

"The police force headquarters has been bombed, everywhere is bombed," deputy national police
spokesman Yemi Ajayi told AFP from Abuja.

"A suspected suicide bomber died in the incident. Many vehicles were destroyed," emergency services
spokesman Yushau Shuaib said.

The bomb exploded in a car park inside the police headquarters.

Roads leading to the attack site were cordoned off at least a kilometre away as a thick plume of smoke
rose from the area.

Another emergency services spokesman said the bomb was in a car in the parking lot.
The explosion is the latest in blasts to have hit the capital since October last year.

The police headquarters is situated less than a kilometre from the presidential offices and residence.

The blast came a day after an Islamist sect behind other deadly attacks, mainly in the country's north,
threatened Wednesday "fiercer" action and said it would not enter into talks with the government.

The Boko Haram group, which disclosed for the first time that it had links with Islamists in Somalia, said
dialogue with President Goodluck Jonathan has collapsed.

It said it was angered by a police declaration that "the days of Boko Haram are numbered".

"Very soon, we will wage jihad ...," the group said in a handwritten statement.

The sect admitted links with a foreign Islamist group connected to Al-Qaeda, although security experts
had already speculated that it had established ties with Islamists in north Africa.

Also known as the Nigerian Taliban, the group launched an uprising in 2009 which was put down by a
brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.

The sect, which has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state, has been blamed for shootings of police
and community leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches, police stations and a prison.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Islamic Sect Boko Haram Rules Out Dialogue with Jonathan

AFP20110616614002 Lagos Ray Power in English 1100 GMT 16 Jun 11

In the meantime, members of the Islamic sect popularly called Boko Haram say the dialogue which
President Goodluck Jonathan is proposing would not hold in spite of everything.

In a handwriting letter in Hausa language circulated to newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital,
the group sect member said the collapse of the dialogue is as a result of the statement made by the
inspector general of police, Abubakar Hafiz Ringim and the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shetimah
during the handover of 10 armored personnel carriers and other security patrol vehicles by the Borno
State government.

They therefore urged all civilians to restrict their movements in Maiduguri and environs as well as all
Northern states and the FCT [Federal Capital Territory]

The group said the reason why they resolved to take such action is because they don’t want to shed the
blood of civilians this time around.

The group also threatened to frustrate the efforts of all security agencies in the country despite the
purchase of the armored personnel carriers saying they already have trained warriors who have arrived the
country from Somalia.

Lagos Ray Power Correspondent Ifeanyi Mark reports that Governor Kashim Shetimah had at the event
said his administration would ensure that peace is restored in the state.
[Description of Source: Lagos Ray Power 2 Radio in English -- Privately owned independent radio]

Nigeria: Islamic Extremist Boko Haram Threatens Jihad

AFP20110616614003 Lagos NN 24 Television in English 1300 GMT 16 Jun 11

An explosion took place Thursday morning at the Louis Edet House of Nigeria Police Force Headquarters
in the Central District Area 11 of Abuja.

Security men have now mounted all roads leading to the Police Headquarters.

There is no indication of the casualties as at the time of this report and no responsibility has been claimed.
There is also no report of any injuries.

News Network 24 would keep you update on this incident as we get more information.

Meanwhile, the Islamic extremist, Boko Haram, has threatened more attacks and refused to enter into
talks with President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group said the planned dialogue with President Jonathan collapsed because of the statement made by
Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police and also by the current governor of Borno State in the Northern part
of the country.
Boko Haram said they were provoked by the declaration of the inspector general of police, Hafiz Ringim
that the days of the group were numbered.

The group has also disclosed for the first time that it had links with the Islamic groups in Somalia.

In a written statement that was released to journalists in the North Eastern city of Maiduguri where the
attacks had been concentrated, the group said there would be a jihadist war against the federal
government and that jihadist have already arrived from Somalia where they received training on war fare
tactics.

Meanwhile, police in Northern state of Kaduna are still investigating another bomb scare that took place
on Wednesday.

The incident took place at the staff quarters of the Nigeria state oil company, NNPC [Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation] in the North central state of Kaduna.

According to Kaduna State police, a security guard noticed the device at around 6 AM [0500] and raised
the alarm.

The security team was called to detonate the explosion two hours later.

No injury was reported.

This is the second attempt of bomb attempt in Kaduna in the 24 hours.

Kaduna police says the explosive was not too far from the venue of the Wednesday scene.

But it is not clear as at press it the attacks were deliberated targeted at the oil company.

Wednesday’s incident comes 48 hours after the leader of an Islamic sect appeared in court charged with
plotting a bomb attack during the last presidential election in April.
[Description of Source: Lagos Network News 24 in English-- Privately owned independent television]

Nigeria's First Suicide Blast Kills One in Abuja

AFP20110616646013 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1439 GMT 16 Jun 11

["Nigeria's first suicide blast hits police HQ, one dead" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, June 16, 2011 (AFP) - A bomb blew up at Nigeria's police headquarters Thursday, killing at
least one policeman and wounding bystanders, officials said, in the first suicide bombing in Africa's most
populous nation.

Police blamed the blast on Nigerian Islamists who threatened a day earlier to step up a campaign of
violence that has already seen scores of deadly attacks.

The blast tore into a police car park at the compound in the capital Abuja, throwing people to the ground
and destroying nearly three dozen vehicles, witnesses and officials said.

"The police force headquarters has been bombed," deputy national police spokesman Yemi Ajayi told
AFP by telephone.

National police spokesman Olusola Amore told reporters later it was a suicide attack believed to have
been carried out by a radical Islamist sect.
"Definitely we are suspecting a group that goes by the name Boko Haram who have been issuing threats
upon threats for which the police are rising up to that challenge," he said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which an AFP reporter said left behind
chunks of human flesh.

It was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria, security expert Peter Sharwood-Smith confirmed to AFP.

At least five people were admitted to hospital for wounds from the explosion and two treated at the scene,
Red Cross emergency coordinator Umar Abdul Mairiga said.

"Our volunteers were able to pick up pieces of human remains. These have been sent for examination by
police forensic experts," he said.

A man in an apartment opposite the compound said he saw blood-stained people on the ground after the
blast. He was unable to tell if they were dead.

There were several explosions, he said on condition of anonymity.

"There was a loud bang, my whole house shook as if the roof was about to come down. Then there was
another blast," he said.

Abdul Mahmud, who was at a nearby office complex, said: "When we first came to the scene, it was
confusion everywhere. People running helter skelter."

Police said 33 vehicles were destroyed and 40 damaged.

Roads leading to the attack site were cordoned off as a thick plume of smoke rose from the area. Fire
fighters put out flames from burning cars.

The police headquarters is less than a kilometre from the presidential offices and residence.
The explosion, the latest in a series of blasts in recent months, comes after Boko Haram threatened
Wednesday "fiercer" attacks, saying it was angered by a police declaration that its days are "numbered".

"Very soon, we will wage jihad," the group said in a handwritten statement distributed in the northeastern
city of Maiduguri.

The sect admitted links with a foreign Islamist group connected to Al-Qaeda, but security experts had
already speculated that it had established ties with Islamists in north Africa.

Also known as the Nigerian Taliban, the group launched an uprising in 2009 which was put down by a
brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.

It has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state and been blamed for shootings of police and community
leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches, police stations and a prison.

President Goodluck Jonathan last week told reporters in New York that he would support attempts to talk
to the Islamic militants in the predominately Muslim north to the deadly unrest.

In other major attacks in the capital in recent months, twin car bombings at Independence Day festivities
on October 1 killed 12 people.

New Year's Eve blasts at a beer garden left several dead, and more were killed in a spate of bombings
near the city and in the north around Jonathan's swearing into office about two weeks ago, after April
elections.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Police Fingers Islamic Extremist Boko Haram in Headquarters' Explosion

AFP20110616614004 Abuja Radio Nigeria-Abuja in English 1500 GMT 16 Jun 11

The police have confirmed that the bomb explosion at its headquarters in Abuja was carried out by a
suspected suicide bomber working for the Boko Haram group.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who were at the scene reports that 15 persons were confirmed dead while
more than 70 vehicles were seriously damaged.

[Begin recording] [Oyebisi] A total of 73 cars were counted out of the debris of the charred ones.

33 of them damaged beyond repairs while 40 others were seriously damaged.

Confirming the incident at the news conference, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olushola Amure said
the suspected suicide bomber gained entrance into the Force Headquarters around 11 O’clock [1000] in
the morning through the inspector general’s convoy when a traffic warden intercepted the car.

But in the process of directing the car to the visitors’ car park, the vehicle went up in flames together with
the traffic warden and the suspected suicide bomber.

No fewer than other 15 persons were burnt and confirmed dead by rescue operation personnel.

The Force PRO [Public Relations Officer] alleged the Boko Haram group to be prime suspect.

[Amure] The traffic warden who entered the vehicle of the suicide bomber to direct him to the car park
was blown off along with the suicide bomber as soon as they got to the car park.
Definitely, we would be suspecting those group go by the name, Boko Haram who had been issuing been
issuing threats upon threats.

[Oyebisi] Mr Amure also told newsmen that forensic experts had been invited as part of the full
investigations into the bombings.

[Amure] The body of the suicide bomber has been recovered and a full investigation has commenced.

[Oyebisi] The police gave an assurance that together with other security organizations the nation would
rise up to the current security challenges.

[Amure] Members of the public are assured that the criminal element behind this dastardly act will be
fished out as the government, the police, and other security agencies would not succumb.

[Oyebisi] The bombing has disrupted the public power supply to the Force headquarters and environs
while officers and men were seen discussing the remote and the immediate causes of the incident around
the cordoned off roads leading to Louis Edet House of police.

I am Kayode Oyebisi, I now hand over to my colleagues for more situation report about the incident.

[Ukpayan] Arriving at the scene, few minutes after the blast, a huge smoke was scene to have engulfed
the entire car park of Louis Edet House.

Officers and men of the force and military cordoned off the entire entrance of Force Headquarters.

People in their hundreds crowded the area while policemen continued to restrain them to safeguard the
loss of more lives or casualties.

At the POWA [Police Officers Wives Association] School situated just across the road, parents were seen
rushing to pick their children.
Although most journalists were prevented entrance to the bomb blast scene, they continued to gather
information from afar.

[First Unidentified Speaker] No! No!! No!!! Go there! Go there!!

[Second Unidentified Speaker] Don’t talk like that when am talking, I know what am saying.

[Third Unidentified Speaker] When they say make you comot, comot, don’t expose yourself to danger.

[Ukpayan] Those were interactions among some people outside the Force Headquarters Gate.

Four men were seen at the top of a communication mast who were said to be working before the blast but
refused to come down.

Fire service men from FCT [Federal Capital Territory] and the NNPC [Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation] Towers were also at the scene.

Men of the National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA], Red Cross, Civil Defense, and Federal
Road Safety Commission were also on top of the situation during the rescue.

Radio Nigeria spoke with the leader of the FCT Fire Service team, Mr Jerry Tandev

[Tandev] As at the time we heard the explosion, the effort has paid off. In terms of human, we can’t
explain but the vehicles were over sixty something that we have lost.

We have up to five trucks all of them were here with two tankers, both our surrounding extension were
here.

[Ukpayan] Mr Simeon Nwaobele, the Red Cross Society team leader said they took the casualties to
Asokoro General Hospital.
Over now to my colleague, Yusuf Usman who followed the rescue operators to Asokoro General Hospital
where most of the corpses and victims were taken to.

[Usman] While at the Asokoro Hospital, six additional dead bodies were brought in at about half past two
in the afternoon by officials of the FCT Emergency Medical Service and Red Cross Society.

An official of the FCT Emergency Medical Service and Red Cross Society, Yusuf Dukka, who led the
team that brought in the six corpses in two ambulances confirmed the situation.

[Dukka] I say six dead bodies, that is what we just brought here now and then you can see three are there,
three was here.

[Usman] Several injured policemen and officers were also receiving treatment at the hospital but refused
to comment.

Efforts to get actual details of other casualties already in the morgue or under the intensive care also
proved abortive.

However, a drive round the city shows that measures are been put in place to protect other public
buildings to avert similar attacks.

I am Yusuf Usman. [End recording]

Nigeria: Borno Shehu denies involvement in Boko Haram Activities

AFP20110616606004 Lagos Guardian in English 16 Jun 11 p 5

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "El-Kanemi denies role in Boko Haram activities"]

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, has denied involvement in the activities
of the Boko Haram sect. He stated that he had been preaching against the serial attacks and killings
allegedly perpetrated by members of the sect in the state. The denial was contained in a statement signed
by the Secretary of Borno Emirate Council [BOEC], Zanna Lesu and made available to The Guardian
yesterday in Maiduguri.

In the statement, the Shehu condemned the call for his prosecution as advocated in a letter allegedly
written and distributed to reporters by members of the Islamic sect. The denial, according to him, has
become necessary because of the serious concern shown by all communities, citizens and good people of
Borno Emirate and the nation in general on the issue of linking the Shehu with the already outlawed sect
from the state and the country at large.

The statement further reads in part: "For the avoidance of doubt, at no time was his royal highness or the
Emirate Council ever contacted or consulted by any authority within or outside the state on the breach of
peace in the city of Maiduguri in particular and the state in general. "The Emirate Council condemns in no
uncertain terms all insinuations to its involvement or that of his royal highness. The Shehu since his
ascension to the throne has continued to preach peace, harmony, stability and justice which are the
greatest and well-known heritages of Borno Emirate from time immemorial."

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian in English - independent daily]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Confirms Carrying Out Bomb Blasts in Abuja, Borno State
AFP20110617598001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 16 Jun 11

[Report by Hamza Idris and Yahaya Ibrahim: "Boko Haram: IG Was Our Target"]

Members of the Jama'atu ahlus Sunnah lid da'awati wal Jihad, popularly called Boko Haram, said
yesterday that they were responsible for the suicide bombing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. They
also said they did not accomplish their mission because their prime target was the Inspector General Hafiz
Ringim.

A statement from a senior member of the group, Abu Zaid said the attack at the police headquarters was
to prove a point to all who doubt the capabilities of the sect. The statement came barely two hours after
another bomb exploded in Damboa town, about 87 kilometres from Maiduguri the Borno state capital,
which killed four children and injured two others.

The bomb, which exploded around 1pm, was buried in between a residential building and a church, the
Eklisiyyar Yan Uwa a Nigeria (EYN).

Police spokesman in Borno State Lawan Abdullahi who confirmed the incident said the children were
playing around the area when the bomb exploded. "The victims were small children...I can't estimate their
ages but they are children. They were caught unawares while playing around the area," he said.

He said two others that sustained injuries have been taken to the hospital, adding that no arrest was made
so far. "We are investigating the matter and we need serious cooperation from the people in order to
succeed. Security is the responsibility of all," he said.

The statement signed by sect leader Abu Fatima said, "Of recent, he (Ringim) has been going to places
and making unguarded utterances to the effect that he will crash us in a number of days...This is
unfortunate. We attack his base (police headquarter) in order to show him that action speaks louder than
words."

He also said the sect members will continue to launch attacks at the police headquarters. "We would not
relent and by the grace of God, we shall see who is on the right track," he said.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Maiduguri and environs. Our correspondents who went round
the town saw many stop and search points mounted by members of the Joint Task Force.
At London Ciki, Costain, Westend, Post office and Lagos Street, Okada riders and their passengers were
being directed to disembark from the motorcycles and push them to at least 50 metres away from the
checkpoint before they can continue with their journey. "This is a very difficult and trying moment for
us," Jummai Stephen, a school teacher said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Sambo Resolves To Hold Talks With Islamic Sect Following Abuja Blasts

AFP20110617598003 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 16 Jun 11

[Report by Mohammed S. Shehu and Abbas Jimoh: "We're Ready for Dialogue, Says Sambo"]

As Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo was reiterating the federal government's resolve to
dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect yesterday, bomb blasts rocked the headquarters of the
Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, some few kilometers from where he was speaking.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The Vice President, who cautioned clerics against provocative statement, said notwithstanding the
national security threat pose by Boko Haram the Federal Government was determined to handle the
resurrection through dialogue. He said the unity of the country would not be negotiated.

Sambo spoke yesterday while declaring open the meeting of the National Executive Council of the
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) at the National Mosque, Abuja.
Sambo, who called for prayers for the continued unity of the country, said, "The unity of the Nigeria is
none negotiable," noting that the issue of Boko Haram which is now a national security threat would be
handled in "the spirit of dialogue, negotiation and national reconciliation."

He urged the Council to inculcate the virtues of tolerance and accommodation among their members and
desist from actions capable of inciting the youths and noted that Islam is a religion of peace that abhorred
violence.

He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to build 100 Almajiri schools yearly to give
about 9.6 million children western education.

In his remark, the President-General of the Council and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad
Abubakar lamented that "it is so unfortunate that a mere political protest would descend into such an orgy
of violence," adding that nothing can justify the wanton killing and maiming of innocent lives in the post
election violence.

While calling for succour to those who have lost their breadwinners in the crisis, the Sultan said he has
authorized the establishment of a special fund to cater for the needs of the affected persons.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria's Islamists Claim Responsibility for Police Headquarters Bombing

AFP20110617309001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0813 GMT 17 Jun 11

["Nigeria's Islamists claim suicide bombing" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, June 17, 2011 (AFP) - A radical Islamist sect has claimed responsibility for Nigeria's
first suicide bombing, saying the attack that killed two at Abuja's police headquarters targetted the
country's police chief.

"We are responsible for the bomb attack on the police headquarters in Abuja which was to prove a point
to all those who doubt our capability," the group known as Boko Haram said after the attack late
Thursday.

The powerful explosion ripped through the car park inside the police headquarters compound, killing a
police officer and the bomber, wounding several others and destroying dozens of cars, according to
police. Local media said the death toll could be higher.

Security experts said it was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria, a country of 150 million people facing a
growing threat from Islamic militants.

Boko Haram said it regretted missing its target, "inspector-general of police, Hafiz Ringim."

In the statement signed by spokesman Abu Zaid, the group said the police chief had recently been making
"unguarded utterances to the effect that he will crush us in a matter of days."

Witnesses said the motorcade of a senior police officer had driven into the headquarters just minutes
before the attack.

Police said the bomber drove into the car park and set off the bomb when he was about to undergo a
routine search. Local media say the bomber was trailing the police chief as he drove into the compound.

Shortly after the attack police blamed Islamists who a day earlier had threatened to step up a campaign of
violence that has already seen scores of deadly attacks.

Boko Haram, sometimes called the Nigerian Taliban, had warned Wednesday of "fiercer" attacks saying
it was angered by a police declaration that its days were "numbered."
The sect, believed to be based in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, this week admitted links with a
foreign Islamist group connected to Al-Qaeda, saying some of its members had just returned from
training in Somalia. Security experts earlier speculated that it had established ties with Islamists in north
Africa.

"We will continue to launch similar attacks on the police headquarters. We will not relent," said the group
which has warned it will wage a "jihad" or holy war.

The explosion, the latest in a series of blasts in recent months, adds to the levels of insecurity in Nigeria
just weeks after President Goodwill Jonathan's election late April for his first full term.

Several people were wounded in the explosion, according to a Red Cross official Umar Abdul Mairiga,
who said volunteers had picked up pieces of human remains, but were unable to tell the numbers killed.

Boko Haram, whose name means Western education is sin, launched an uprising in 2009 which was put
down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.

It has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state and been blamed for shootings of police and community
leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches, police stations and a prison.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a spate of bombings near Abuja and in the north after Jonathan's
inauguration about two weeks ago that killed 18 people.

But until now there had been no suicide bombings in Nigeria, although a would be Nigerian suicide
bombier attempted to bring down an American airliner on Christmas Day 2009.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Boko Haram Islamic Sect Threatens 'Fiercer' Attacks

AFP20110617606003 Lagos Daily Sun in English 16 Jun 11 p 2

[Corrected version: amending headline, upgrading precedence, adding topic country; Report by Juliana
Taiwo: "Boko Haram Vows Fiercer, Wider Attacks"]

A Nigerian Islamist sect that staged a series of deadly attacks mainly in the country's North on
Wednesday threatened 'fiercer' attacks and said it would not enter into talks with the government. The
Boko Haram group, which had two days ago laid down conditions for any talk with government, also
disclosed for the first time that it had links with Islamists in Somalia. "Dialogue with President Goodluck
Jonathan has collapsed," because of the statements made by the inspector general of police and governor
of Borno State," the group said. It said it was angered by the police chief, Hafiz Ringim's declaration that
"the days of Boko Haram are numbered.

"Very soon, we will wage jihad...We want to make it known that our jihadists have arrived in Nigeria
from Somalia where they received real training on warfare from our brethren who made that country
ungovernable...," said the group in a handwritten statement. This time round, our attacks will be fiercer
and wider than they have been," it said, adding it would target all northern states and the country's capital
Abuja. The statement in Hausa, a widely spoken language in the North, was anonymously delivered to
journalists in the North-eastern city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, where the attacks were
concentrated.

The sect admitted links with a foreign Islamist group connected to Al-Qaeda, although security experts
had already speculated that it had established ties with Islamists in North Africa. The statement
purportedly emanated from "Jama'atu Ahlis-sunnah lidda'ati wal Jihad," another name the sect calls itself.
Boko Haram had on Monday issued a statement setting conditions for ceasefire and dialogue with the
government, which included the strict application of Sharia Law in the 12 predominantly Muslim states in
the North.

Also known as the Nigerian Talibans, the group launched an uprising in 2009 which was put down by a
brutal military assault that left hundreds dead. The sect, which had pushed for the creation of an Islamic
state, had been blamed for shootings of police and community leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches,
police stations and a prison.
[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Sun in English -- Privately owned daily close to former Abia State
Governor Orji Kalu]

Nigeria's Islamists Claim Responsibility for Police Headquarters Bombing

FEA20110617019020 - OSC Feature - AFP (World Service) 0813 GMT 17 Jun 11

["Nigeria's Islamists claim suicide bombing" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, June 17, 2011 (AFP) - A radical Islamist sect has claimed responsibility for Nigeria's
first suicide bombing, saying the attack that killed two at Abuja's police headquarters targetted the
country's police chief.

We are responsible for the bomb attack on the police headquarters in Abuja which was to prove a point to
all those who doubt our capability," the group known as Boko Haram said after the attack late Thursday.

The powerful explosion ripped through the car park inside the police headquarters compound, killing a
police officer and the bomber, wounding several others and destroying dozens of cars, according to
police. Local media said the death toll could be higher.

Security experts said it was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria, a country of 150 million people facing a
growing threat from Islamic militants.
Boko Haram said it regretted missing its target, "inspector-general of police, Hafiz Ringim."

In the statement signed by spokesman Abu Zaid, the group said the police chief had recently been making
"unguarded utterances to the effect that he will crush us in a matter of days."

Witnesses said the motorcade of a senior police officer had driven into the headquarters just minutes
before the attack.

Police said the bomber drove into the car park and set off the bomb when he was about to undergo a
routine search. Local media say the bomber was trailing the police chief as he drove into the compound.

Shortly after the attack police blamed Islamists who a day earlier had threatened to step up a campaign of
violence that has already seen scores of deadly attacks.

Boko Haram, sometimes called the Nigerian Taliban, had warned Wednesday of "fiercer" attacks saying
it was angered by a police declaration that its days were "numbered."

The sect, believed to be based in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, this week admitted links with a
foreign Islamist group connected to Al-Qaeda, saying some of its members had just returned from
training in Somalia. Security experts earlier speculated that it had established ties with Islamists in north
Africa.

"We will continue to launch similar attacks on the police headquarters. We will not relent," said the group
which has warned it will wage a "jihad" or holy war.

The explosion, the latest in a series of blasts in recent months, adds to the levels of insecurity in Nigeria
just weeks after President Goodwill Jonathan's election late April for his first full term.

Several people were wounded in the explosion, according to a Red Cross official Umar Abdul Mairiga,
who said volunteers had picked up pieces of human remains, but were unable to tell the numbers killed.

Boko Haram, whose name means Western education is sin, launched an uprising in 2009 which was put
down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.
It has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state and been blamed for shootings of police and community
leaders, bomb blasts and raids on churches, police stations and a prison.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a spate of bombings near Abuja and in the north after Jonathan's
inauguration about two weeks ago that killed 18 people.

But until now there had been no suicide bombings in Nigeria, although a would be Nigerian suicide
bombier attempted to bring down an American airliner on Christmas Day 2009.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Global Security Agencies Reportedly Probing Abuja Police HQ Bomb Blast

AFP20110619565001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 18 Jun 11

[Report by Taiwo Adisa, Odidison Omankhanlen, Dachi Maduakor, Tunde Sanni and Shola Adekola:
"FBI, Coalition of Security Operatives Probe Abuja Blast"]

A coalition of security operatives around the world is said to be probing Thursday's bomb blast which
rocked the Police Headquarters, Abuja.

Information at the disposal of some agencies indicated that a number of operatives from the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States of America (USA), the Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) also of the United States and officials of Saudi Intelligence Agency are already working with
Nigeria to unravel the sources of the bombs used by Boko Haram sect for the attack.
It was gathered that Nigerian officials have decided to cooperate fully with international agencies because
of the widespread belief that the dreaded Al-Queda group is behind moves to destabilise countries of the
world, using different groups.

Sources confirmed that Boko Haram operatives who carried out the attacks were trained in Iraq,
Afghanistan, Sudan and Dafur in Somalia and that a wide network of funding has been discovered.

"There is an ongoing alliance involving the Metropolitan Police, the FBI, the CIA and other agencies
including the Saudi Arabia intelligence. They are looking at evidence confirming that the Boko Haram
sect members were trained in Dafur, Libya, Iraq and Sudan. Some of the people being used for their
dastardly operations are believed to come from these countries," a source said.

The Nigerian authorities have also set up a special team which is probing the sources of funding of the
Boko Haram sect and pattern of spending of some individuals suspected to be providing cover for the
sect.

Ripples of Thursday's attack at the Force Headquarters, Abuja spread accros the country, including Lagos,
Kano, commercial city of Onitsha, the Anambra State capital leading to security beef-up by the
authorities.

In Lagos, our correspondents, who went round the nation's commercial capital saw stern-looking
policemen at strategic points on the Custom Street, where major institutions like the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are located.

Specifically, the CBN gate, which used to be manned by private guards, are now being supervised by
fierce-looking riot policemen.

Visitors into the premises are now made to undergo metal security detector check, even after intensive
scrutiny by the security guards on duty.

Also, Saturday Tribune noticed that more of the private security guards are now been deployed to patrol
in and around the premises to stem any suspicious move.

The story was not different at the stock exchange, as visitors were subjected to extra search before
gaining entrance.
Vehicles entering into the compound were subjected to thorough search before being allowed in, while
appropriate documentation was being carried out on the visitors.

At Oyin Jolayemi Street on Victoria Island which houses some bank head offices, policemen were on red
alert. A bullet proof van was seen stationed nearby, ostensibly to forestall any security breach.

However, key players in the oil industry are maintaining a studied silence on the development in Abuja
on Thursday, which left several persons dead and more than 70 vehicles destroyed.

A visit by our correspondents to Muritala Muhammed Airport and others airport across the country
revealed that security was also beefed-up.

The development came even as the airport police commissioner, Moses Onireti, appealed to airport users
to bear with the latest additional security measures introduced, saying the measures were introduced in
order not to take chances.

The measures which include adequate screening and patrol, Onireti said, will continue till further notice.

In the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State, police vehicles were seen patrolling major flash
points in the metropolis.

The police on Friday also cordoned off the road that led to the Area Command Office located at the
Enugu road, Onitsha which resulted in gridlock in some of the major streets.

According to one of the policemen, wh o did not want his name in print, the action was very necessary
now that the police have known that they are the major target of the terrorists.

"Yes, you may not blame us as such because we are also human beings, the police have realised that they
are the greatest enemies of these Boko Haram sect, so the only thing left for us is to device our own
means of security as well as that of the country. The bomb at our headquarters did not spare anyone so, if
you ask me, why can't we be more security conscious.

Even you journalists should also be bothered by the ugly development," he said.
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Jonathan Pledges To Tackle Masterminds of Abuja Police HQ Bomb Blast

AFP20110619565006 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 18 Jun 11

[Unattributed report: "Reactions To Police Headquarters' Bomb Blast..."]

It Is Turning Point - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, while reacting to the Thursday bombings of Police Headquarters in Abuja
on his Facebook account described the incident as a turning point.

While commiserating with families of victims and assuring them of justice, Jonathan reiterated his
commitment to chart an era of transformation and bring about a positive change to the common man, no
matter the distractions.

"Dear country men and women, this is not a time for too many words; however, let me say that the
unfortunate event that occurred on Friday in Abuja is a turning point. About two months ago, I addressed
the nation and said "enough is enough." I meant what I said and the Federal Government will, with level-
headedness but urgent priority, take appropriate steps to bring justice to those behind the dastardly attack.
I promised an era of transformation and I will not waver in that commitment nor allow any force hamper
that resolve to bring about those positive changes that the common man in Nigeria desires and has
patiently waited for.
"I commiserate with the families of the victims and assure them that justice will be done and that their
loved ones did not die in vain.

"Finally, let me say that everything that needs to be done to fish out the masterminds of the recent
bombings will be done," Jonathan stated.

Saraki Calls For Concerted Efforts

Following the spate of bomb attacks and acts of terror spreading across the country, former Kwara State
governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on eminent Nigerians across party lines, states, religions and
traditional institutions to come together and find a lasting solution to the problem.

"This development, which has become a daily occurrence, has not only put the whole nation on the edge,
it has also inflicted untold trauma and severe brutality on the psyche of the Nigerian people," he said.

According to Dr Saraki, there is no gainsaying the fact that the nation and the people are presently going
through a trying period, "a situation that is rapidly eroding the modest socio-economic and political gains
we have achieved through democracy."

"The situation, if left unchecked," he said, might lead to a general breakdown of law and order, an ill-
wind that would blow no one any good.

"To avert this and return the nation to the state of peace and normalcy, there is an urgent need for all of us
across party lines, states and traditional institutions not to see this development as Jonathan govern-ment's
problem alone, but that of all of us."

Let's Root Them Out - Gov Chime

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has lent his voice to the widespread condemnations of
Thursday's bomb attacks at the police headquarters, Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State, describing them
as unwarranted, cowardly and cold-blooded violence that should never go unpunished.

Noting that the latest attacks had changed the face and tone of terrorism in Nigeria, the governor called
for a massive sweep of terror elements in the society with a view to rooting out the cankerworm before it
takes firm roots.
Chime, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, expressed particular concern at
the novel use of suicide bombing at the police headquarters, saying that all efforts must be made to
prevent Nigerian youths from being used in such a cruel and senseless way to advance anti-social causes.

The governor also called for greater vigilance on the part of both security agencies and the citizens of the
country towards the early detection and prevention of terror plots, adding that more education and
sensitisation on the nature and operational methods of the terrorists should be made available to the
public.

He expressed sympathy with the victims of the attacks and their survivors, saying that the nation owed
them a duty to ensure that the perpetrators of the act were brought to book.

Former Guber Candidate Calls For P robe

Former Enugu State governorship candidate of the Congress For Progressive Change (CPC), Chief Emma
Ugwu, has condemned, in its entirety, the bombing of the Police Headquarters, Abuja, urging the Federal
Government to probe the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune in Enugu, on Friday, Chief Ugwu warned that unless drastic measures
were put in place, the nation's democracy would be in jeopardy.

Chief Ugwu noted that the bomb scare and killings in some parts of the country portended danger for the
country's march towards a stable democratic rule, adding that no responsive and responsible government
would fold its hands and watch the lives of its citizens threatened as it is being witnessed in the country in
recent times.

"President Goodluck Jonathan's government should look inwards within its ranks for what occurred on
Thursday to know whether Boko Haram's members have infiltrated the security network of the country.
He should also find out the remote causes of the social insecurity in the country as we are yet to come out
from the post election violence."

The CPC chieftain said that the Federal Government should not allow some elements to create
unnecessary tension and panic in the country, adding that no person or group of persons was bigger than
the country as corporate interest of the nation remained paramount.
Chief Ugwu stated that Nigerians should emulate countries like America and Britain, where politics is
based on developmental issues, pointing out that national interest should take precedence over selfish and
sectional interests at all times.

OPC Threatens To Retaliate If...

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has threatened to meet force with force in the event of the reported
plan by Boko Haram, to launch an attack in the south-west.

However, the National Coordinator of OPC, Chief Gani Adams, who condemned the sect's act in Abuja,
said that any attempt at a repeat of such act in the south-west of the Country would boomerang.

According to him, "while it is possible for them to carry out their attacks in the northern part of the
country without any resistance, that of the south west would be met with stiffer opposition," he said.

Condemning the act, Adams enjoined members of the Islamic sect to embrace peace, rather than resorting
to violence, if truly what it is advocating is the implementation of Sharia.

Bombings Are Wrong Signals --Idris

The Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has said that the bomb blast at the Police Force
Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, was an indication that the nation was not safe.

Speaking with newsmen on Friday, Governor Idris said that the incident was unfortunate, noting that the
country was not known for such a thing.

The governor, who spoke through his Director General, Press Affairs, Mr. Richard Elesho, said not too
long ago, a military barrack was bombed in Abuja as well as the Independent Electoral Commission's
(INEC) office at Suleja in Niger State.

According to him, those behind the bombing are sending wrong signals that the country was not safe.
He noted that all the security operatives in the country should work together, so that the situation could be
brought to rest by arresting those behind the incident.

Governor Idris said Nigerian should be security- conscious, so that such incident would not take place
again.

Seek Redress Through Dialogue -- NSCIA

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), on Friday, condemned the bomb attack
within the premises of Police Headquarters in Abuja, which led to the destruction of lives and property.

The position of the council was made known by its Secretary General, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, during
a press briefing at the National Mosque, Abuja.

According to him, "the NSCIA condemns all forms of violence, including the spate of bombings in
different p arts of the country and notes with deep sadness, the latest bombing at the Police Headquarters,
which caused destruction of lives and property. The council calls on all Nigerians to seek redress for all
grievances through dialogue and peaceful means, not through violence."

Dr. Adegbite further stated that the solutions being sought for the multifaceted problems of the Almajirai
would be practical and permanent, devoid of political gains and expediency, adding that governments of
the affected states, as well as scholars and community leaders must be involved.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Reportedly Kill 3 People in Borno State
AFP20110620565002 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 19 Jun 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Gunmen Launch 2 Attacks, Kill 3 in Borno"]

Two gunmen suspected to be members of the Yusufiyya movement, popularly called Boko Haram,
yesterday launched attack at a relaxation point popularly called "Majalissa" at Gomari area of Maiduguri
metropolis and killed two people.

Witnesses said another person at the tent sustained gunshots and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
"The gunmen came on an unmarked motorcycle and opened fire on the people who were playing cards
(Poker) or "Karta" in Hausa inside the local meeting point before they fled away," the source said.

The source said he suspected that the prime target of the attack might be a police officer, who usually
visits his friends at the tent. "But I doubt much if he was among those that were killed," he said.

He said shortly thereafter members of the joint task force went to the scene and carried all the victims to
the hospital. "Before the security men came, all of us around the area had dispersed and therefore no one
could offer any help to the victims who were left in the pool of their blood," he said.

Our correspondent learnt that two hours later, another set of gunmen waylaid and killed another man
around Gidan Dambe, along Bama road in the heart of the state capital. Witnesses said the victim must be
paramilitary personnel even though his establishment could not be ascertained as at press time. "The
gunmen trailed the man to this destination before they killed him. The incident happened around 8pm.
They didn't touch any other person even though the whole area was thrown into pandemonium as
passersby scampered for safety," one of the witnesses said.

Efforts to speak to police spokesman Lawan Abdullahi were not successful as he did not pick his phone
when this reporter called.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]
Nigeria: Police Suspect Insider Connives With Bombers

AFP20110621606006 Lagos Daily Champion in English 20 Jun 11 p 2

[Report by Malachy Uzendu: "Force Headquarters Bombing - Police Suspect Insider"]

Evidence so far gleaned from the specimen gathered by ballisticians and forensic experts from the debris
picked up at the Force Headquarters after last Thursday's bomb blast points at insider connivance in the
entire mayhem. Sources at the Force Headquarters said the preliminary reports by the experts assembled
by the Inspector-General of Police [IGP], Alhaji Hafiz Ringim to unravel how the person carrying the
bomb entered into the force headquarters and successfully detonated the bomb showed that there was
insider connivance. According to sources, the mega-ton bomb, which could be found only in military and
related installations, have sent the National Security Adviser [NSA] to re-strengthen his intelligence
gathering parameters with a view to getting to the pin-point of where the bomb came from.

It was gathered that not only was the specie which wrecked the havoc similar to what is being kept in
military armories, the level of accuracy in detonating the bomb has left the NSA with no option than to
raise queries on the dependability of certain elements posted to certain strategic exclusive places and
vulnerable points.

Last week's bomb killed no fewer than 10 persons given unofficial figures, including visitors, drivers,
members of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stand-by at the Force Headquarters as well as several
people and contractors who mill around the vast parking lot. Apart from the two burnt corpses which
were taken to the Asokoro General Hospital mortuary, the other victims were mangled and flung far and
between the premises in bits and pieces.

Some of such specie were even discovered at the Police Officers Wives Association [POWA] schools,
just opposite the FHQ as well as up to the Court of Appeal premises and construction sites and the nearby
bush and other premises. With last week's media speculation of the possibility of the bomb courier
barging into the IGP's convoy, which seemed almost impossible, within security circles, given the training
given to drivers of VIPs on defensive driving and the ease with which those who planted such stories
created the "distraction" among the uninformed, such information however have sent the security chiefs
back to the drawing board.

It was learnt that since it was not possible for any untrained driver to have barged into the IGPs convoy
and yet have a leeway as being speculated, but could have taken only someone who connived with
insiders to have successfully brought done so possibly and in addition brought in such high level tonnage
of bomb into the premises, the need for further probe became inevitable.

Only recently while commissioning the Armored Personnel Carriers [APCs] procured by the Borno State
government to ward off the dreaded Boko Haram which had wrecked havoc in the state and other parts of
the North East, the IGP has boasted that the days of the sect group were numbered.

But the reasoning within security circles is that given that only insiders in the system, who wanted to
prove a point, could have allowed the bomb courier to gain entrance into the force headquarters moments
before the IGP arrived, this clue is being further investigated. It was also gleaned , according to our
security sources that the insiders, which included the top shots manning the entrance gate to the Force
Headquarters as well as those in-charge of the CCTV section, it became imperative to put a searchlight on
the areas in order to ascertain which of them played which role and how possibly.

The source noted that with the level of sophisticated security gadgets installed at the FHQ gate, precise
location of such dangerous objects could have been picked even before it approached the complex and
pre-emptive measures immediately put in place. Similarly, the FHQ-CCTV was found to have failed to
pick the identities of those who came into the FHQ in vehicles before the bomb went off, leading to the
clue that it could have only been possible through insider connivance. Had these happened, the sources
told our reporter that the Police Anti-Bomb section would have acted immediately and put off the bomb
before it went off.

One of the sources told our reporter: "my friend, how do you think this place is so porous as you are
ascribing to it now. It is not so. This place is so secure that the last thing we expected is this kind of
embarrassment. It is unfortunate and has cast a slur on all of us, but we shall get to the end of this matter.
We are working on the possibility of an insider playing the mole in the entire unfortunate episode. We are
working on all our clues and in due course, you would be surprised at what we have been able to gather."
When further probed, the sources told our reporter of how comparatively the FHQ and Presidential Villa
could rank among the most secure places in the country, "but now, they have carried this game to our
door- mouth and we have danced naked".

With available information, it is being further felt that some embassies in Abuja may have equally been
involved but the motives of such embassies were still being analyzed. Similarly, the role of the terrorist
gang which security had ascertained is code named Boko Haram and dubbed religious sect, is being more
critically analyzed so as to ascertain if they have other motives except the ones they had made public
among which is the "islamization" of the northern parts of the country.

The possibility of the IGP being the target is also being more closely analyzed to see the synergy between
this factor and the factor of insider abuse as well as the relationship of this and the sudden disappearance
of some earlier arrested suspects, placed under surveillance at the same FHQ in the past and immediate
periods. Security at the FHQ and other vulnerable places have been at its peak, with most policemen
being so unruly to specially journalists, whom they would rather engage in acts of brutalization than allow
them even explain their identities and if they have any official business in the place.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Champion in English -- Privately owned pro-Igbo daily]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill 2 People, Injure 4 in Borno State

AFP20110621598001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 21 Jun 11

[Report by James Bwala: "Again, Boko Haram Kills 2, Injure 4 in Borno"]

Some suspected members of Boko Haram, on Sunday, shot and killed two people and injured four others
in two separate attacks at Gomari Bus stop and Gidan Dambe Bama Road in Maiduguri Metropolitan
Council of Borno State.

The gunmen, who were said to have arrived Gomari Bus stop riding on motorcycles with their
Kalashnikov rifle hidden under their flowing gowns, fired several gunshots at the people playing card
under a tree.
Confirming the killings, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, told
Nigerian Tribune on the phone that: "our Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Gomari sent a distress call
about the attack at the Bus Stop at 5.00p.m., that seven suspected Boko Haram members opened fire on
the people playing card under a tree, killing one on the spot and injuring four others."

The police boss said though no arrest had been made, he added that information provided by residents of
the area, would assist the police in fishing out the assailants.

An eyewitness at Gomari said: "the gunmen fired several shots at 14 people playing card under a tree and
killed Waturfa Ngadda, a 45-year-old nurse with Molai General Hospital, on the spot, while others fled
into houses and shops in the area.

He said the target of the gunmen was a police sergeant living in the area, but when they could not identify
him, they opened fire on the people playing card, adding that, "when members of the Joint Military/Police
Taskforce (JMPT) came to the scene`, they conveyed the four people that sustained injury to the
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for treatment".

The body of the slain nurse has been deposited at UMTH.

A security personnel driving his private car at the Gidan Dambe Bama Road, was also shot dead by
suspected Boko Haram members.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill 5 Policemen in Katsina State

AFP20110621598002 Lagos This Day Online in English 21 Jun 11

[Report by Ibrahim Shuaibu: "Boko Haram: 5 Policemen, 1 Civilian Killed in Katsina"]

Suspected members of Boko Haram on Monday attacked a bank and a police station in Kankara local
government area of Katsina state, killing five policemen and a civilian.

The incident occurred when the suspected members of Boko Haram attacked the local branch of a new
generation bank at about the close of work and carted away an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspects numbering 12 were said to have stormed the bank premises with explosives, blowing the
entrance up to gain access before carting away the money and killing two policemen who were on duty.

Reports said after carting away the money from the bank, the suspected members went into Kankara town
and shared the money among the people of the town.

From the bank, they were said to have proceeded to Kankara Divisional police station, forced their way
into it and released those detained at the station cell.

After releasing the inmates, they engaged the police in a gun duel, killing three policemen in the gun
battle and setting the police station on fire.

THISDAY gathered that the Area Commander of the police in charge of Funtua Zone, Ahmed Azare,
visited the scene of the incident, but declined to make any comment.

The suspected bandits were said to have escaped after going round the town chanting 'Allahu Akbar',
meaning Allah is great.

All efforts to contact the state police Commissioner Alhaji Sabo Ringim proved abortive, while the
command spokesman Abubakar Muhammad had his mobile phone switched off.
[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Presidential Aide Rejects Amnesty Program for Islamic Sect Members

AFP20110621597012 Dakar PANA Online in English 20 Jun 11

[Unattributed report: "Nigeria: Niger Delta Amnesty Office Rejects Training of Boko Haram Sect
Members"]

Nigeria's Presidential Amnesty Office for the Niger Delta, which is coordinating the implementation of
the amnesty programme for the former regional militants, has rejected calls for the integration of the
Boko Haram sect into the amnesty programme of the federal government.

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Amnesty and the Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku,
declared in Abuja Monday that the Amnesty Office would not accept members of the northern Islamic
sect.

Kuku said at the end of an orientation programme for 36 Niger Delta youths, being sent to Israel for
training in Agriculture, that "the amnesty programme is a special programme for youths of Niger Delta,
which had gone through the first and second phases. But there will not be a third phase."

According to him, the federal government's amnesty programme has ended and there shall be no more
inclusion.
"Now, it is only governments, individuals and philanthropists to initiate programmes that will develop
youths in their areas", Kuku said, adding that as far as his office was concerned, the only person with such
powers to grant amnesty to anyone was the President.

According to him, "President Jonathan is the only one with that power. However, let me make this clear
that the current amnesty programme is actually a solution by this country under our beloved late President
Musa Yar'Adua and his then Vice President who is now President, working together to proclaim amnesty.

"It's a special programme that can never be politicised. It can never be mixed up with any other issue at
all. It's a special programme meant to address a special problem. That has been done. However, people
have individual rights to agitate and demand for whatever they believe in."

He admonished the 34 youths to "be good representatives of Nigeria, to be well behaved and be serious
about their studies."

Accorfing to him, the training in agriculture is important in order to veer away from oil and gas, as there
are limited opportunities in that sector alone.

The 34 youths are to be trained for three months in Israel and they will then come back to Nigeria for
another three months training.

During the training, they will each be paid US$ 500 per month.

At the end of the training, those who will like to establish their own farms will get help from the Amnesty
Office while job placements will be given to others.

[Description of Source: Dakar PANA Online in English -- Website of the independent news agency with
material from correspondents and news agencies throughout Africa; URL:
http://www.panapress.com/english/index.htm]
Somalis said among terror suspects arrested in Nigeria

AFP20110621950050 Dayniile Online in Somali 21 Jun 11

Text of report by Sweden-based Somali Dayniile website on 21 June

Nigerian security forces are said to have arrested up to 60 people among them Somalis who are reported
to have been fighting alongside a rebel group in that country named Boko Haram.

Nigeria's anti terrorism forces which conducted the operation said some of the arrested Somalis had been
connected to a recent explosion attack in the town of Abuja which resulted in the loss of life and injury.
Nigerian forces also said explosives and arms were recovered from some of the houses where these
Somali nationals resided and that investigations to ascertain how they came into the country are as of now
ongoing.

The Al-Shabab Movement has been implicated in a suicide attack carried out in Abuja by the Nigeria's
Boko Haram group. A spokesman for the police in that country has said those that carried out the attack
had been trained in Somalia and had close links with the Al-Shabab.

[Description of Source: Dayniile Online in Somali -- Swedish based, news oriented website that appears
sympathetic to Somali Islamist insurgents; URL: http://www.dayniile.com]
Nigeria: Militant Islamic Sect Shuns Presidential Dialogue

AFP20110621696001 Kaduna KSTV Kaduna in Hausa 1800 GMT 17 Jun 11

The militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, says it will no longer participate in the proposed dialogue with
President Goodluck Jonathan following statements credited to the Inspector General of Police Hafiz
Ringim and Governor Shettima of Borno State- on governments renewed effort to eliminate them- during
the donation of some 10 armored personnel carriers, by the federal government, to combat the sect.

In a press release, the organization advised civilians to restrict their movement within Maiduguri and
environs, as well as other Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as they have vowed to
explore new devastating strategies.

The statement further restates that the sect is committed to wage Jihad (holy war) on the enemies of God.

It also states that they have reinforcement of "jihadists", as their members have arrived Nigeria from
Somalia, where they received training on warfare.

[Description of Source: Kaduna State Television in Hausa--Kaduna State-owned government-controlled

television]
Nigeria: Police Chief Says Boko Haram Days Numbered, Boko Haram Reacts

AFP20110622606001 Abuja African Independent Television in English 1900 GMT 20 Jun 11

The Boko Haram sect has reacted to the statement credited to the Inspector General of Police, [IGP] Hafiz
Ringim, that the days of the sect members were numbered with the donation of 10 armored personnel
carriers and 10 patrol vehicles to the police by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on 13 June.
Boko Haram sect advised civilians to restrict their movements in Maiduguri and environs as well as other
northern states and the FCT, as members of the sect have vowed to explore new strategies which will be
very devastating. In a statement issued in Hausa, the Islamist militants said dialogue with Jonathan had
collapsed because of the statements credited to both the Inspector General of Police and Governor
Shettima during the donation of the 10 Personnel Armored Carriers, APCs by the Borno State
government to fight them.

Ringim who was in Maiduguri to assess the security situation in Borno State, had while speaking to
newsmen at the Maiduguri International Airport, said the police and other security agencies have
concluded intelligence options on how to crush the Boko Haram insurgency, not only in Borno, but the
entire northern states including Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kano, Gombe, and Borno.

[Description of Source: Abuja African Independent Television in English -- privately owned independent
television station]
Nigeria: Islamic Group Members Kill Lawyer, Civil Official in Borno State

AFP20110622581005 New York Sahara Reporters in English 2301 GMT 21 Jun 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Fatally Strikes ANPP Lawyer"]

Militant group, Boko Haram reportedly shot and killed Peter Adebayo, a lawyer for the All Nigeria
Peoples Party (ANPP). The Boko Haramislmaist militants also shot and killed 22-yr old Civil Defense
worker, Baba Usman at the Lawan Bukar ward in Maiduguri on Monday night.

This is the latest in a series of attacks, in which the militant group has been targeting officials, traditional
rulers and Islamic clerics in the state. Authorities have confirmed that yesterday's attack, which left six
police officers dead, was also linked to the group.

SaharaReporters has also learned that the money looted from a PhB bank in yesterday's raid was allegedly
distributed amongst the poor in the region.

A bomb was also found planted at the Galadima junction in Maiduguri yesterday.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]
Nigeria: Northern Group Urges Islamic Sect To Embrace Dialogue With Government

AFP20110624598005 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 23 Jun 11

[Report by Saxone Akhaine, Joke Akanmu, Hendrix Oliomogbe and Charles Akpeji: "North Moves
Against Bombing, Violence; Ex-Military Chiefs To Prepare Report on Menace"]

The efforts to restore law and order in the North got a boost yesterday as leaders from the region
expressed their readiness to work with the Federal Government to end the recurring incidences of bomb
blasts and violence in some states in the zone.

The campaign to end terrorism in the North and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) led by the Boko
Haram Islamic sect is being championed by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

Arewa, which is also wooing all the 19 northern state governments to join the initiative, has set a
committee of former military officers, including retired service chiefs, former inspectors-general of
police, former national security advisers, and others to prepare a security report on the region for
presentation to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group pleaded with the Islamic sect to sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue.

Arewa Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, who spoke in Kaduna yesterday on the security problems
in the country, said the bombing of police headquarters in Abuja and other explosions in some parts of the
North were worrisome, stressing that effort should be made by the Federal Government to end the
menace.

According to him, the ACF had earlier directed its security committee to probe the unfortunate incidences
of bomb blasts in the country, saying that the report would be made available to the government and
states in the north with a view to combating the ugly security threat.

Sani said: "You see, we cannot approach the Federal Government without having concrete report; if we
say government, you don't know what you are doing or national intelligence, you are not doing enough,
we should be able to advance superior argument on the issue, otherwise we would become non-consulting
citizens.
"So, with the tension now, it will make us put pressure on our security committee to produce its report so
that when we are meeting the federal and state governments, we will talk from the position of informed
situation. Beyond that and as it is now, we cannot do anything.

"But our security committee should be able to tell us how to go about it. And from there, we will go and
tell the President, Sir, this is how we think we should go about it in containing the situation. That the
suicide bombing has triggered off concern, we will put pressure on the security committee to submit their
report," he said.

Sani continued: "You see, the committee is already in place and now there was suicide bombing and there
was bombing even during the 50th Independence celebration. So, the committee members knew about
bombing in the country then. The bombing had been on in Borno and Niger states. So, it is part of the
problem.

"In fact, it was the bombing that even made us to call for the meeting, because bombing is a new thing in
the North and it is frightening us.

"All those behind it should know that it is frightening us and we are pleading with them that they should
lay it to rest. We know that they exist, we don't need to destroy the country because of their grievances.

"In every situation, there are grievances and after that you go to peace conference and after that you
resolve and come together and live together, because no society survives on the basis of victory or defeat
of a particular person...ultimately we must reconcile, otherwise there may be no Nigeria or northern
Nigeria".

"We have to reconcile, it is not a matter of choice. It is task that must be done. And I believe, even the
Boko Haram they know that we have to reconcile and live together as people."

Also, the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday in Abuja disclosed that his administration
would create 100,000 jobs for the state citizens to check restlessness among the youths.

Shettima, who maintained that military option is not the only way to check insurgency in the country, said
the government should embark on massive job creation to take the youths from armed struggle.
Shettima disclosed this during a visit to the Mana ging Director of Nigerian Export Processing Zones
Authority (NEPZA) in Abuja, Mr. Sina Agboluaje. He said: "Military solution is not the only option of
fighting insurgency. We hope to create not less than 50,000 to 100,000 jobs".

The governor said leaders have not given Nigerians what they need in terms of provision of basic
amenities, adding that we do not need outsiders to help us get things right in the country.

He said that plans were under way to bring the Banki Export Free Zone to reality and to also establish
new one at Gamboru area, which is a border to Cameroun and Chad, noting that such route creates avenue
for outsider to infiltrate the country.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has commiserated with the victims of the recent
bomb blasts in Abuja and other parts of the North.

In an online statement, NDLF, a splinter association from the mainstream Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), assured that for the peace of the region, it would not go back
to the routine bombing of oil installations in the volatile Niger Delta region, no matter the degree of
provocation and temptation.

The statement, which was signed by the group's spokesman, Mark Anthony, hailed the re-appointment of
Chief Kingsley Kuku as the Chairman of the Federal Amnesty Committee and Special Adviser to the
President on Niger Delta Matters.

He pleaded that all NDLF fighters under the leadership of John Togo who recently engaged the Joint Task
Force (JTF) in a skirmish should also be pardoned.

But the former Security Adviser to the Taraba State Governor now the Majority Leader of the House of
Assembly, Mr. Charles Maijanka, has said "dialogue or negotiation may not be the surest way out of the
nation's security predicament.

He described the recent victory of the Boko Haram attack of the police headquarters as "a minus for the
Nigerian security operatives."

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]
Nigeria: Islamic Sect States Condition To Hold Dialogue With Government

AFP20110624598012 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0159 GMT 24 Jun 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Boko Haram Gives Conditions for Dialogue"]

Leaders of the Jama'atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, have
told Daily Trust in an interview that the dialogue being offered to them will not be possible under
atmosphere of the threats of use of force by security agencies.

Spokesman for the group Abu Zaid said, "A true believer will not allow himself to be attacked twice."

The interview was conducted by phone and email in Hausa language. A Daily Trust reporter who has
been reporting the activities of the group gave the questions by phone to Abu Zaid, who has been
speaking on behalf of the sect.

The group has claimed responsibility for last week's deadly bomb attack on the police headquarters in
Abuja and persistent gun raids in Maiduguri, Borno State, prompting calls for dialogue between the
government and its leaders.

Responding to these calls, Abu Zaid said, "We have been signing agreement with them (government) but
they have been reneging and now they want us to surrender our arms whereas they are terrorizing Islam
and Muslims just like what happened two years ago.

"The Inspector General of Police recently said that he will deal with us within two weeks because he
believes he controls our lives. And look at how the governor of Borno State (Kashim Shettima) donated
10 armour personnel carriers to the police while the Nigerian President (Goodluck Jonathan) directed that
more soldiers and mobile police be deployed to attack us. Is this move aimed at achieving a dialogue?"

He added: "I think they are equipping themselves more and they want us to surrender our arms. Despite
these contradictions, they (authorities) are telling the public that they want to engage us in dialogue.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said a believer should not allow himself to be attacked twice in
one place."

He acknowledged that Islam encourages dialogue when certain conditions are met. "It is mandatory for
Islam to have a sovereign land where Sharia is being practiced in the strict sense so that the dialogue will
be between the Islamic country and the country of the unbelievers," he said.

He said the sect members will not also lay down their arms even as he claimed responsibility of the
attacks launched in parts of the North and Abuja.

"Some unpatriotic scholars gave them misleading justification on the need to attack us and the Federal
Government under Umaru Yar'adua gave the open directive to attack Muslims which led to the
destruction of their mosque and desecration of the Holy Qur'an as well as ill treatment of innocent women
and children.

"We want people to know that the Federal Government fought us and therefore, by the grace of Allah, we
would continue fighting until we succeed or die in the process," he said.

Abu Zaid said the sect members would continue to trail former governors of Borno and Gombe states as
well as the Bauchi State governor until they apologise for approving attacks on the Boko Haram sect.

"We would not relent in our efforts of searching for them until they come out publicly and apologize.
They must also distance themselves from this illegal democracy and give unalloyed support towards
entrenching Sharia system," he said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]
Al Jazeera.net: Bomb Blasts 'Kill 25 in Nigeria'

GMP20110627966003 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 2140 GMT 26 Jun 11

["Bomb Blasts 'Kill 25 in Nigeria'" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(Al Jazeera net) -

Authorities in Nigeria have said that three separate bombs explosions in the country's northeast have
killed at least 25 people and wounded 12 others, the AP news agency has reported.

The bombs targeted outdoor beer gardens the city of Maiduguri on Sunday.

Authorities have accused the Islamist group Boko Haram of being behind the attacks.

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]
Xinhua: At Least 30 Killed in Nigeria Drinking Spot Attack

CPP20110627968046 Beijing Xinhua in English 0735 GMT 27 Jun 11

[Xinhua: "At Least 30 Killed in Nigeria Drinking Spot Attack"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria June 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 30 people have been killed and several others
seriously injured by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect in a drinking joint in northeast Nigeria's
Borno State on Sunday, according to security sources.

There was no official confirmation from the police or government in the state so far.

Security sources told Xinhua that the sect members were said to have attacked a local drinking joint in
Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday night, killing about 30 people.

A resident of the area told Xinhua that about 10 sect members had stormed a popular drinking joint
located at Dala Kwamti in the city at about 6:00 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Sunday in a convoy of
two cars.

The gunmen were said to have started shooting as soon as they got near the joint.

But another source said the gunmen rode to the area on motorcycles from different direction to beat the
heavy security in the city.

The source could not however ascertain the number of motorcycles used.

"They rode on motorcycles from different direction to beat the soldiers and police at a junction close to
the area. They started firing shots into the joint from different direction and there were many people who
had come to relax at that time since it was weekend," a resident of the area who did not want his name
mentioned for security reason told Xinhua on phone.
Police chief in the state Mohammed Abubakar and the state spokesperson Abdullahi Lawal could not be
reached as their mobile line were unavailable on Sunday night.

But the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it is mobilizing relief materials for the
victims of Sunday's bomb explosion that rocked a drinking spot in Dala, a suburb of Maiduguri, Borno
where some people were feared dead.

Yushau Shuaibu, spokesperson for the agency said the agency was aware of the explosion and had started
responding to the situation.

More than 50 other people, mostly security personnel, had so far been killed by suspected Boko Haram
militants since July 2009, when they launched attacks on individuals.

The Boko Haram launched the first arm of insurrection in the state in July, 2009, during which many
were killed and wounded while properties were destroyed.

The sect's leader Mohammed Yusuf and his alleged financier Buji Foi were killed in a counter attack by
the security operative.

Members of the sect staged an uprising in Maiduguri in 2009, attacking symbols of the government
authority including prisons, police stations and schools, leading to clashes with security forces in which
an estimated 800 people were killed.

[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency)]

AFP Profile of Nigeria's Islamist Sect Boko Haram

AFP20110627651008 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1614 GMT 27 Jun 11

["Boko Haram: Nigeria's deadly radical Islamist sect" -- AFP headline]

LAGOS, June 27, 2011 (AFP) - Since 2009 when it launched a short-lived uprising in some parts of the
north that was brutally crushed by the military, Boko Haram has intensified its violent campaigns in
Nigeria.

That military assault left more than 800 people, mostly sect members and its leader Mohammed Yusuf,
dead and its headquarter mosque in the capital of Borno State razed to the ground.

The sect then went on a low-key insurgency attacking police officials, politicians, community or religious
leaders opposed to its ideology.

The sect's gun and bomb attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri on Sunday that left at last 25 dead and
dozens injured, was the latest of such in the country of 150 million people, almost evenly distributed
between Christians and Muslims.

The violent campaigns which were initially based in the north, are now spreading to other parts including
the capital Abuja where it targeted the national police headquarters on June 16.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is a sin", wants the establishment of an Islamic
state in the north and the strict application of Sharia law.

The group said this month that some of its members had received training in Somalia, indicating some
ties with Al-Qaeda-linked groups such as Al Shabaab. Some of sect's members are also believed to have
been trained in Algeria and Afghanistan.

Security analysts have long believed that the group has links with some of Africa's northern-based
terrorists.

Initially made up of university graduates and dropouts from wealthy and middle-class families, Boko
Haram, which initially went by the name the "Nigerian Taliban" made its debut in January 2004.
Drawing inspiration from the Afghan Taliban, a group of around 200 sect members set up camp in the
village of Kanamma on the Nigerian border with Niger in northeastern Yobe State it called
"Afghanistan". From there it launched attacks on police stations, killing policemen and carting away
ammunition.

A two-day military crackdown left scores of sect members killed including their leader then nicknamed
Mullah Umar, after the fugitive Taliban spiritual leader.

Some of the Islamists were arrested while the rest went underground. Eight months later 60 survivors
launched new attacks on police facilities in the neighbouring Borno State on the border with Cameroon.

Another military onslaught in the Mandara mountains along the Cameroon borders left 28 sect members
dead, several arrested while others went into hiding.

Aminu Tashen-Ilimi, one of the sect's commanders, told AFP in January 2006 that "the last has not been
heard of us and whoever thinks we have been defeated is only deceiving himself".

Boko Haram's attacks are typically carried out by motorcycle riders who shoot and speed off or hurl
home-made bombs.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigerian Military Pledges To Unveil New Strategies To Tackle Islamic Group

AFP20110629598001 Lagos This Day Online in English 28 Jun 11

[Report by Paul Ohia, Michael Olugbode, Senator Iroegbu and Wole Ayodele: "Army: Boko Haram
Tactics, Strange to Us"]

The Nigerian Army has said the tactics employed by the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, in its
operation is strange to it, but assured Nigerians that it is equal to the threat, adding that it will soon unveil
strategy to tackle the group.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, who made this revelation at the opening of
the Second Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja Monday, said: "The tactics they employ is
relatively new to the country," and vowed to stop them.

He promised to unfold new strategies that would effectively end the growing security threats posed by the
sect, who had been terrorising some sections of the country.

He said: "Nigerian Army having studied the method of operation (in collaboration with other security
agents), very soon the country will notice improvement and new security agreements."

The COAS said the presence of soldiers at strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since
last Thursday was part of the emerging strategies to enforce and maintain security in the current
atmosphere of terrorism caused by the spate of bombings across the country.

He advised the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents to brace up for the unintended inconveniences
being created by the recent joint security stop-and-search checks led by the Army, effectively taking the
task of securing lives and properties in the nation's capital from the Nigerian Police Force.

"The enforcement of security at the hands of soldiers on vehicles is because they are being proactive,
while there will be searches on the road. Nigerians should be able to adapt to the temporary security
measures," he said.

Ihejirika further disclosed that one key item of the meeting which was purely security measures would be
a closed door meeting as general officers commanding (GOCs) and commanders would receive briefing
on how to confront the menace of Boko Haram once and for all.
He emphasised that the purpose of the conference was to take stock of the first and second quarter
activities especially in the areas of security responsibilities in various commands.

According to him, the meeting would also discuss ways of improving elections and analysis of areas of
improvement.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj-Gen O. Akinyemi, noted that the current security
challenges, especially the problem of Boko Haram in some parts of the country, was one of the
contemporary challenges that needed to be immediately addressed.

Akinyemi said that deliberations during the conference would come up with recommendations and
strategies towards addressing these challenges.

He noted that the presentations and discussions during the first quarter conference as well as the
implementations of the decisions arrived at during the conference contributed in no small measures to the
successes achieved by the Army in support of the election process as they had received accolades from
various quarters for its conduct during the elections.

"Some lessons must have been learnt which could assist the Army to improve in possible future internal
security tasks," he said.

Meanwhile, another explosion Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State claimed the lives of two child hawkers
and injured several others including two Customs officers.

The blast followed a similar one that was detonated in the same city a day earlier that left 25 dead and 12
injured.

Monday's explosion, which was as a result of detonated bombs planted around the Customs office
building in Maiduguri occurred at about 2.30pm.

THISDAY gathered that the bombs were targeted at the Customs office and a hospital located at the
centre of the ancient town.
Confirming the incident, Commandant of the Joint Military Task Force, Maj-General Okechukwu
Nwaogbo, said the child hawkers were killed in the blast. He also disclosed that several other persons
were injured.

The commandant of the Joint Military Task Force established by the Federal Governm ent to checkmate
the menace of the Islamic fundamentalist sect, had earlier revealed that the mayhem visited on the state
on Sunday by alleged members of the group was an ambush and not bomb blasts as earlier reported.

Nwaogbo, who refused to give the figure of casualties, said investigations revealed that between eight and
10 members of the group came on about seven motorcycles to the local drinking joint, set the place on
fire and took strategic positions.

He said during the attack, which took place between 5 and 6.30pm on Sunday, the group shot at anyone
that tried to escape the raging inferno.

The commandant of the task force tagged "Operation Restore Order", said he would not be able to give
the number of casualties as the figure might increase as there were still some persons on critical list at the
hospital, but said: "We lost lives there but not as high as being reported."

Nwaogbo also disclosed that two persons were in custody and were assisting the taskforce in its
investigations. He said the two persons were sent by some people to go on surveillance of churches in
Maiduguri.

He said intelligence on the group revealed that they were asked to mingle with worshippers and bring
report back to their principals but were lucky to be apprehended by church members who brought them to
his men.

The commandant said they were helping with investigations and his men were already going after their
principals, assuring the residents of Maiduguri that the task force was not out to intimidate anybody.

He said his men were deployed to ensure the safety of lives and property and to cooperate with everybody
in the task of getting this done.

In a similar development, the Borno State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA), Bwala Hatsiwa, has said that to arrest the Boko Haram upsurge in the country then, teeth must
be given to the current drug war.
Also, the Amnesty International has called on members of the Boko Haram to stop attacks on civilians
after the bombing that killed as many as 25 in Maiduguri Sunday.

However, the group was silent on the attack on the Nigerian military and police but rather mentioned at
the later part of a press statement issued yesterday that the Nigerian security forces had carried out mass
arrests, tortured suspects and detained people without charge or trial for lengthy periods.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Northeastern Borno State Government Ready To Dialogue With Boko Haram

AFP20110630683003 Lagos This Day Online in English 15 Jun 11

[Report by Michael Olugbode: "Borno Govt, Boko Haram Ready for Dialogue"]

Borno State Government Tuesday said progress has been made in the planned dialogue with the notorious
Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram as one of its factions has indicated interest in dialogue.

Speaking to journalists, in Maiduguri, the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha said the state
government has also put everything in place to end the onslaught of the group on the state with the
donation of ten Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the police.
The deputy governor while revealing that the group is currently factionalized into three said this has made
it difficult to know who is who among the group adding that since one of the factions has shown
willingness to talk to government, they do no have a choice but to keep their doors opened.

He however said the government was making the offer to dialogue because it is interested in bringing
peace and harmony to the state and this should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

Mustapha said the government will not accept some unreasonable publicized conditions touted by
unidentified persons.

Scores of suspected members of Boko Haram detained at Maiduguri police headquarters in 2009.

He said if government will go into dialogue with the Boko Haram group it has to be in the interest of
majority of the people of the state and not based on some difficult conditions of the fundamentalists.

He emphasized that the dialogue has to be on the conditions of government and not that of the Boko
Haram even as he reassured the people of the state that the government will not do anything that will
undermine their security.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim who was in the state to take delivery of the APCs
said the task of the police in curbing the excesses of the Boko Haram was made difficult because his men
were not assisted with the right information.

The police boss, who emphasized the fact that the task of security of lives and property is that of
everyone, insisted that the only way the police can push the Islamic fundamentalists out of Borno is when
it is given the right information to work with.

Ringim however assured that with the latest additions into the police armouring the group would be
haunted and driven out of Borno.

He disclosed that he has told his men that their task is to ensure peace and order and that they have
assured him they are ready to comb all the nooks and crannies of the state for the Islamic fundamentalists.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdayonline.com]
Fear Grips Northern Nigerian City After Islamist Attacks

AFP20110701309002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1541 GMT 01 Jul 11

["Nigerian city gripped by fear after Islamist attacks" -- AFP headline]

MAIduguri, Nigeria, July 1, 2011 (AFP) - Fear pervades the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri
where hundreds of troops have been deployed after a wave of bombings and shootings by the radical
Islamist sect Boko Haram.

A week after at least 25 people died and dozens were injured in a single attack, the beer garden where it
took place stands scorched and empty, strewn with blackened debris. A few goats attracted by heaps of
corn grain are the only sign of life.

Scores of military checkpoints have sprung up around the city.

"The city has been under siege from Boko Haram and the military following these senseless attacks that
have put everybody on edge," said resident Hadi Sadiq.

The attack, in which Islamists hurled explosives and fired indiscriminately, came on the day a joint
military task force was launched to combat a spate of earlier bomb and shoot-and-run assaults.

The initiative saw hundreds of military, navy, air force, police, immigration and customs personnel
deployed to quash the sect on the orders of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Boko Haram launched a short-lived armed uprising two years ago in a doomed bid to establish an Islamic
state.

Although the rebellion was crushed in a military assault that killed hundreds, mostly sect members, it
failed to deter further attacks.

"What is more frightening to residents of this city is the bomb attacks that continue to increase in
frequency, magnitude and sophistication despite the deployment of troops," said Khalifa Dikwa, a
linguistics professor at Maiduguri University.

Last year, the sect began to launch shoot-and-run killings, targeting police and military personnel,
community and religious leaders as well as politicians. It also added to its guerrilla tactics, bomb attacks
on police and government facilities, as well as churches.

"Nowhere is safe in Maiduguri even with the military presence," Jummai Musa, a beer seller, said. A
checkpoint erected 500 metres from the beer garden was like "medicine after death", she added.

A day after the beer garden attack, suspected sect members detonated a bomb concealed in a car parked
outside the customs office, killing two girl vendors.

On Tuesday gunmen opened fire on a military checkpoint around the same area leading to a shootout with
soldiers but there were no casualty.

Troops that have been deployed in the city are on edge and do not leave anything to chance.

Motorcyclists have to disembark 500 metres (550 yards) from checkpoints and push their bikes until they
pass the checkpoints as a precaution against attacks by the Islamists.

Searches of vehicles are stepped up at night and troops fire sporadic warning shots in the air to scare away
potential attackers, an AFP reporter witnessed.

"We can't take any chances," said a soldier at a checkpoint.

The unrest has also taken a toll on the economy of the city. Businesses are gradually closing and
relocating to other cities while social activities have been grounded.

"I have relocated my business.... I'm here to pack my remaining personal effects because I can't operate in
this atmosphere of insecurity," said Umar Mudassir, an IT consultant.

A group of residents aired their complaints in an open letter to President Jonathan in the Daily Trust
newspaper on Thursday.

"Continuation of this situation will ultimately lead to the collapse of the local economy, leading to more
despair and further conflict.

"More indiscriminate military and police intervention will lead to an angry population which will
sympathise with, aid and assist the young as they take up arms against authority," the group said.

But the military commander of the special crack unit, Brigadier-General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo, is
determined to end Boko Haram's reign of terror.

"My mandate is to end this Boko Haram issue, I'm not here to curtail it but to end it and restore peace and
order in Borno State," Nwaogbo told AFP in Maiduguri.

"It is a diffic ult mandate, given the type of adversary we are dealing with," Nwaogbo admitted.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Report Quotes Policeman as Saying Boko Haram Membership Includes Cops

AFP20110701619007 Lagos Newswatch in English 27 Jun 11 - 04 Jul 11 14-20

[Report by Dike Onwuamaeze: "A thorn in the flesh of the nation"]

Nigerians in various parts of the country live in fear as Boko Haram members kill maim innocent
people

He sat alone at one of the desks in a local shop that morning. Beside him was a bag containing all is
belongings. The man is a police officer. But you would not know unless he told you or showed you his ID
card.

The man was set for a trip to the Southwest that day in May. It was an impromptu trip as the man said
that he needed a "break" from his work. He had seen a lot since the past six months he had been on police
duty in Damaturu in Yobe State. The most traumatic for him was when a close friend of his, a police
officer, was shot dead in Maiduguri by unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members.

The death of the police officer, whom he said hailed from Rivers State, had left him devastated. "I just
need a break from this work," he told Newswatch. "I was posted here six months ago but to me, I've had
enough. I just want to go back to my family in the west. I don't care what anybody thinks or says. I need a
break," he repeated.

There is no doubt that the police officer was worried about the Boko Haram, an Islamic fundamentalist
sect, which has become a thorn in the flesh of the nation. "They are not only in Maiduguri. They have
their members here too," he said.

He added that "even some police officers in Damaturu are suspected to be members of the sect or are
simply in support of their action either due to fear or tribal affiliation." That, he said, was even why it is
difficult to apprehend members of the sect since even the security officers that should fight them appear
to shield them from arrest and prosecution.
 This is the dilemma facing many Nigerians as they come face-to-face with the alarming state of
insecurity in the country. Even Abuja, the seat of power, which hitherto was regarded as Nigeria's oasis of
peace and comfort is no longer an exception. It has witnessed four bomb blasts in the past nine months.

The last of the four cases of bomb explosion took place on 16 Jun at the premises of the Nigeria Police
Headquarters. The explosion affected the movement of people in Abuja. Some people cancelled all their
plans for the day and stayed at home after the explosion occurred.

Alokwu. A., a retired civil servant, who had lived in the city for 25 years, was at home when the news
of the latest bomb explosion in Abuja came to him. He cancelled all his appointments for that day and
remained indoors. When he made up his mind to hit the streets the next day, he did so in trepidation.

Alokwu said that nobody believed that such dastardly acts of criminality could happen in Abuja.
"Nobody believed that Abuja would become a theatre for terrorism but the serial bomb blasts since
October 2010, has created untold fear in the minds of many people who are now afraid for their lives.

We go out in fear looking at everybody suspiciously not knowing who is who," he said. Today, Abuja is
a besieged city with armed security personnel patrolling every nook and crannies of the city 24 hours.

There are now armed policemen in bars and eateries as well as around churches. This is in an effort to
maintain law and order in the city after the 16 Jun explosion. The police have two versions of the story of
the bombing in Abuja.

The first version claimed that the suicide bomber had accompanied Hafiz Ringim, the inspector
general's convoy into the premises of Police Headquarters as the convoy drove in. The second version of
the incident, which came into circulation on Monday, 20 Jun, claimed that the inspector general had met
with the bomber at his official residence before leaving for his office.

The bomber was said to have pledged his assistance in the fight against the Boko Haram sect. The bomb
blast, Newswatch learnt, killed several people including visitors, drivers, and members of the Police
Mobile Force on stand-by at the headquarters as well as several people and contractors who milled around
the vast parking lot.

Apart from two burnt corpses which were taken to the Asokoro General Hospital mortuary, the other
victims were mangled and flung far apart within the premises in bits and pieces that were too small to be
picked up.
 The attack on the police headquarters was allegedly triggered by Ringim's declaration in Maiduguri, the
capital of Borno State that the days of Boko Haram were numbered. He made this statement on 14 Jun
when he visited the state to receive armored vehicles donated to the police by the state government.

"Now that the elections are over, our attention would be concentrated and I want to assure you that the
days of the Boko Haram are numbered," Ringim had said. But this statement did not go down well with
the members of the Boko Haram, which issued its own counter statement on 15 Jun.

In the statement, which was originally issued in Hausa but translated and broadcast in English by the
African Independent Television, the Boko Haram stated that its dialogue with the government had failed
because of the statement of the police inspector general and actions of Borno State government which
purchased 10 armored vehicles to fight them.

The sect advised civilians to restrict their movements in Maiduguri and its environs as well as all the 12
northern states and the federal capital territory. It said that the need for the counter statement was to avoid
the shedding of civilians' blood in the coming jihad.

"Very soon, we will wage jihad on the enemies of God and his prophet. We have returned to Nigeria
from Somalia where we had serious training on warfare. We want to assure all the security agencies that
we will frustrate their efforts in spite of the armored vehicles they have purchased with the training we
have acquired in Somalia."

To demonstrate that their threat was not a mere hot air, a member of the Boko Haram on a suicide
mission trailed the convoy of the police boss but was diverted from the convoy by a traffic warden at the
police headquarters to the car park where the bomb exploded, killing the bomber, the traffic warden and
several other people.

As the dust raised by the Abuja Bomb blast was clearing, the Boko Haran group re-enacted their
murderous exploit in Damboa, a border town in Borno State, on the same day, when it unleashed a bomb
attack that killed three persons. Also on Sunday, 19 Jun, members of Boko Haram gunned down two
persons and injured one in the Gomari Airport part o Maiduguri.

The victims were reportedly relaxing in their front yard after returning from church services. Currently,
Nigerians in the villages and the cities now live their lives in fear because they do not know when an
armed robber, a kidnapper or a suicide bomber would come their way.
 In Lagos, Katsina, Kano, Ondo, Rivers, Borno, and Kaduna and several other states, the story is the
same. On Sunday, 20 Jun, in Kankara town in Katsina State, rampaging gunmen suspected to be members
of the Boko Haram, detonated explosives at a police station and killed a divisional crime officer and four
other policemen.

Even though the natives believed that the assailants were members of the Boko Haram, the police are
yet to link the attack to the sect.

In Lagos State, the following day, there was a bomb scare in Oshodi, a major market and bus terminal.
It created pandemonium as traders and their customers ran helter-skelter. It took the intervention of the
police anti-bomb squad, which confirmed that there was nothing to be afraid of after combing the vicinity
to calm down their fears.

On the same day in Kano State, residents of Gunduawa, in Gezewa local government area, were gripped
with fear of the Boko Haram group when Umar Suffi, a police traffic officer, was killed by assailants.
However, the police in a swift reaction clarified that the members of the dreaded sect had no hand in the
murder.

Maidugiri, the hotbed of Boko Haram assaults, is literally a battlefield. Stern-faced and heavily armed
policemen man roadblocks and patrol the city in their armored vehicles. The roadblocks which are
unusual in the city cause a lot of traffic and make moving cumbersome and dreary.

But in spite of this, the gangs unleash mayhem in the city on daily bases. Bomb blasts and random
assassinations of innocent citizens are so frequent that residents of the city are losing their counts. A
resident, who spoke to Newswatch under anonymity, said that they sleep, wake, work, and eat in fear of
the sect.

On 30 May, gunmen suspected to belong to the group killed Abba Anas Ibn EL-Kanemi, the younger
brother of the Shehu of Borno. Prior to the 2011 general elections, members of the sect were alleged to
have killed the younger brother of the state's former governor.

Emboldened by the easy and successful ways they execute their plots, members of the Boko Haram
recently called for the resignation of Kashim Shetima, the governor of Borno State. They have also asked
Ringim to apologize to Nigerians and resign his appointment as the inspector general of the Nigeria
police.

"The police boss should offer a public apology and, thereafter, resign his position because he caused the
Abuja blast. He has also failed in his responsibility," a Boko Haram source said.
 Mike Ejiofor, a retired director of State Security Service, said that the goal of the Islamic fundamentalist
is to create the impression that the government is incapable of providing security to the people.

Since its formation in 2002 in Maiduguri by Mohammed Yusuf, the Boko Haram has been a pain in the
neck of Nigeria's security agencies especially the police over its opposition to western education that it
believes is sinful. The Islamic fundamentalist group relocated its base to Kanamma in Yobe State in 2004.

From its new location, which was named "Afghanistan," the group set about attacking and killing
members of the Nigeria police. Yusuf was quoted by the BBC in 2004 as saying that "this war that is yet
to start would continue for a very long time."

A violent clash between the Boko Haram and the security forces ensued in July 2009 culminating in the
killing of Yusuf in the custody of the Nigeria police. But his death did not stop the activities of the group
he founded. It rather made them more aggressive.

An un-exhaustive chronology of the outrageous activities alleged to have been carried out by the group
showed that members of the group killed four people in Dala Alemderi in Maiduguri in January 2010. It
also attacked and released about 700 prison inmates in Bauchi State and was responsible for a bomb blast
in a market place.

On 24 Jan, Cable News Network [CNN] reported that the group was associated with the murder of a
governorship candidate, his brother and four police officers. On 29 Mar, the police announced that it
thwarted the group's plot to bomb an All Nigerian People's Party election rally in Maiduguri.

The group also attacked a police station in Bauchi, on 1 Apr and bombed a polling centre in Maiduguri
on 9 Apr. It was also alleged that on 15 Apr, members of the group in different attacks shot several
persons and bombed the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] office in Maiduguri.

Five days later, the group killed a Muslim cleric and destroyed some police stations in Maiduguri. And
on 22 Apr, it freed 14 prisoners in Yola in Adamawa State.

Bomb blasts and the menace of the Boko Haram are not the only security challenge facing the country.
On Monday, 13 Jun, a gang of kidnappers swooped in on Igbokoda, a community in the Ilaje local
government area of Ondo State and escaped with Mariam Oke, mother of Sola Oke, the national legal
adviser of the People's Democratic Party to an unknown destination.
 Not even a ransom has been placed over her head. Forlorn and in suspense, members of her family are
hoping that the kidnappers were not assassins who are thirsty for the blood of innocent people. "But, if the
kidnappers are listening to me, they should just for God's sake treat the woman kindly and they could
think of her age," Oke said.

On 7 Jun, five members of the National Youths Service Corps were kidnapped in the Ikwere local
government area of Rivers State. The kidnapped corps members, according to the police, were Yusuf
Olumide, Fase Funmilayo, Chinonye Ejiogu, Nkechi Nweze, and Vivian Okwuanya. Initially, a ransom of
N100 million was demanded by their captors, who later reduced it to N10 million.

The pomp and pageantry that attended the swearing in ceremonies of President Goodluck Jonathan on
29 May and that of the 26 state governors across the country turned sour as terrorists struck in Bauchi,
Zaria in Kaduna State, Borno, and Zuba on the outskirts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on 30
May.

Amidst the insecurity in the country, the president has assured Nigerians that the threat would soon be a
thing of the past. "Let me use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that it happens all over the world. No
country is free.

Nigeria is also having some ugly incidents lately. But surely, we will get over it and people should not
panic at all. Soon, most of these things will be a thing of the past," Jonathan had said.

Yet, many Nigerians are pondering how the country arrived at this sorry pass. Some people hold the
view that leaders of Boko Haram are not entirely abhorrent to the society.

Olisa Agbakoba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria described the Boko Haram phenomenon as a response to
bad political leadership in the northern part of Nigeria where the governors introduced the Sharia with a
promise of more abundant life for the people but without delivering the goods.

When the masses found out that they were let and left in the public square, everybody is wielding a
knife just as every ethnic group wants a chunk from the elephant. How many chunks can they scoop
before the meat is finished?

In their desperate scramble for the juiciest piece, how will the booty hunters avoid turning their knives
on one another? Nigeria operates a structure that encourages blatant cannibalism."
 Augustine Agugua, a criminologist in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lagos, said that
Nigerians would miss the trend of the current insecurity in the country if their attention is focused on the
Boko Haram alone. For him, the country is experiencing the anger of its deprived youths who are
schemed out of decent means of making a living.

"The nature and type of crime experienced in any society inadvertently must have been created by that
society," Agugua said, adding that Nigeria is going through a low intensive warfare. He said that the
causes of this low intensity warfare has to do with the contradictions that informed the emergence of the
Nigerian state at the point of independence, which got full blown with the events that predated the
Nigerian civil war.

Another issue the current insecurity has thrown up is the weakness of our security agencies to detect
and prevent crimes. Many Nigerians are concerned that the country is experiencing high degree of
intelligence failure.

Agbakoba called on President Jonathan to vigorously shake up the framework supporting Nigeria's
security process, which includes the human intelligence, communication intelligence, electronic
intelligence and photographic intelligence. "I do not know how much of these we have.

But it is clear to me that we have a major intelligence failure. The challenge Jonathan faces is to
immediately overhaul the intelligence apparatus in a manner that would require a root and branch shake-
up of the security system," Agbakoba said.

For now, it is apparent that Nigeria lacks the basic building blocks of an effective modern police. There
is a claim that the country has only one hand writing expert, no forensic expert, no forensic laboratory,
which are the foundations of a viable police.

"Can we point to single DNA equipment? Can we point to a scientific analysis component of the
investigation unit of the Nigeria police? What we have in our policing policy are programs and objectives
that are completely outdated," Agbakoba said.

Lack of forensic and other scientific methods of crime detection, prevention, and investigation also
breed torture as the only means of investigation. Okechukwu Nwanguma, project co-coordinator of the
Network of Police Reform in Nigeria, said that "if you can use somebody's finger print to prove that he
committed the crime you do not have to torture him to confess the crime.
 "He pointed out that currently, there is no training program that could enhance the intelligence and
operational capability of the Nigeria Police. He also said that there are no specialists in Nigerian police.

Series of the so-called reform of the Nigeria police has turned out to be a failure because of the lack of
the political will to carry out fundamental changes. "The reform we have been calling for is the removal
of the operational control of the police from the president who is currently in charge of the sector. We
want the police boss to be independent of the presidency," Nwanguma said.

But Frank Odita, a retired police commissioner and security consultant, absolved the Nigeria police of
blame for the intelligence failure that is plaguing the country's security system. He said that the function
has been removed from the police and assigned to the State Security Service.

He also noted that by the time he was leaving the force 19 years ago, the police had two forensic
laboratories in Lagos State sited in Alagbon and Oshodi.

Apart from highlighting the lapses in the country's security system, the current wave of insecurity also
portends ill for Nigeria's democratic rule. According to David Mark, the Senate president and a retired
army general, the intention of those that masterminded the bomb blast in a military market was to
instigate the army against the government.

Similarly, Agbakoba pointed out that the use of non-peaceful method to resolve differences would
affect the national psyche and potentially undermine the stability of the country.

Agugua warned that the escalation of terrorist attack might compel Jonathan to embrace the use of
coercive state apparatus, which will connote the funeral of democracy in Nigeria. "I can tell you in a plain
language that the Nigeria democracy is really under threat.

And beyond that, the cohesive entity of the Nigerian state is also under threat because what the people
are clamoring for also bothers on secession and disintegration," Agugua said.

Glory Chika Nsiegbe, aka Anointed Man of God in Grace of the Christ Mustard Mission in Port
Harcourt, alleged that the state of insecurity in the country which has been compounded by the recent
bomb blast at the police headquarters portends great danger for the country.
 He said that those who masterminded the dastardly act and their sponsors were bent on destabilizing the
administration of President Jonathan. He advocated divine intervention through the supplication of
anointed men of God.

For now, President Jonathan has assured that he would prefer the use of stick and carrot approach to
resolve the Boko Haram threat. How the sect would respond to the offer and what the president's attitude
would be in the days to come remains to be seen.

[Description of Source: Lagos Newswatch in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigerian Governors 'Apologise' to Islamists for Rights Abuse

AFP20110702650005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 02 Jul 11

[["Nigerian governors 'apologise' to Islamists for rights abuse" -- AFP headline]]

KANO, Nigeria, July 2, 2011 (AFP) - Two senior officials in northern Nigerian have offered public
apologies to an extremist sect for any rights violations suffered during military crackdown on its armed
uprising in 2009.

Bauchi state governor Isa Yuguda and the ex-governor of neighbouring Gombe state Danjuma Goje,
made their apologies in separate statements.
"I apologise to the members of Jama'atu Ahlussunnah lidda'awati wal Jihad for perceived injustices
caused them as they have the full rights to be protected by the law," Yuguda said in a statement released
to AFP Saturday.

"I hope this will further the healing of the trauma on Jama'atu Ahlussunnah, ...open the door to
meaningful dialogue that will end hostilities and usher peace for which the religion of Islam is all about,"
he added.

Goje, now a senator, said "as a true Muslim, who believes in peace and brotherhood ... I hereby tender my
public apology to the organisation for any wrong done to it in the course of performing my duty as the
then governor of Gombe State".

The Boko Haram sect, which prefers to go by the name Jama'atu Ahlussunnah lidda'awati wal Jihad, is
based in northeastern Borno state, but has also been active in nearby Bauchi and Gombe state.

It has been blamed for a recent wave of violence in the region.

The statements from the politicians appeared to be in reponse to the Boko Haram's demand for apologies
as a precondition for dialogue with government.

The group's spokesman Abu Zaid had said they would hunt down the governors of Borno, Bauchi and
Gombe states in comments published a week ago in the Daily Trust newspaper, which is widely
circulated in the north.

"We would not relent in our efforts of searching for them until they come out publicly and apologize,"
Zaid told the paper.

Kashim Shettima, the newly elected governor of Borno state had already made overtures to the group.

He offered an amnesty to those of its members who renounced violence, a move backed by President
Goodluck Jonathan.

But one of the conditions Boko Haram gave for dialogue was the strict application of Sharia law in the
country's 12 predominately Muslim states.
Boko Haram launched a short-lived armed rebellion in a doomed bid to establish an Islamic state in 2009
in parts of the north.

The uprising was crushed by the military leaving hundreds, mostly sect members dead in the crackdown
and its headquarters and mosque left in ruins.

Troops and policemen were accused of the extra-judicial killings of suspected sect members.

Seven policeman suspected of killing the sect leader Mohammed Yusuf are expected to face trial this
month.

The sect has claimed responsibility for bomb attacks and shoot-and-run killings in the past year, including
attacks on military and police personnel, community and religious leaders as well as politicians.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Bomb Blast Claims 4 Lives, Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill 4 People in Borno

AFP20110704598001 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 03 Jul 11

[Report by From Njadvara Musa, Terhemba Daka and Odita Sunday: "Nine Die in Fresh Borno Bomb
Blast, Attacks; SSS Accuses Politicians of Aiding Boko Haram"]
Less than 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan told the Boko Haram sect that "enough is enough,"
the group struck yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State killing five people in bomb blast. Ten others were
injured and taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

Also, armed men suspected to be members of the group on foot killed four residents in separate attacks in
some parts of the state.

Amid the attacks, top security operatives yesterday accused some Nigerian politicians in the North and
Abuja of fuelling the activities of the Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for the recurring
bomb explosions and killings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some northern states.

The State Security Services (SSS), which spoke on the activities of the group yesterday, claimed that
some politicians in Borno State and Abuja were behind the increasing attacks by the sect.

Besides the victims of yesterday's explosion, the group, between Saturday and yesterday, killed a local
council chairman and retired military personnel, and three other residents.

In a statement by the State Director of SSS, Ahmed Abdulhameed, in Maiduguri yesterday, he said:
"Despite our endless efforts along with some patriotic Nigerians to find a lasting solution to the lingering
sectarian crisis in the state, some desperate politicians are hiding under the guise of 'political Boko Haram
sect' to perpetrate and continue with the endless serial attacks and killings in Maiduguri and other towns
in Borno State."

The statement reads in part: "The State Security Services observed that amidst the concerted efforts being
made to achieve and sustain a peaceful atmosphere in Borno State and the North Eastern zone, where law
and order is being threatened by activities of the Islamic sect, attempts are being made from certain
quarters which have become part of the problem, to use the name of this service in shielding their heinous
criminal activities."

Yesterday's bomb blasts occurred at 4.45 p.m. at Wulari Ward near a mini market. The market is about 50
metres away from police barracks. Police bomb experts immediately cordoned of the scene of the
explosion. No arrest has been made, the military said.

When The Guardian contacted Maj.-Gen. Jack Nwoogbo Nwoagbo, he confirmed the incident and the
number of casualty. He said: "Look we are at the scene of the blast, I cannot talk much."
Citing a statement by one Abu Zaid, the spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, which was published in a
national newspaper (not The Guardian) where Zaid had alleged that one Usman Al-Zawahiri was being
used by the SSS to distort the demands of the sect, the SSS boss said there was nothing like that. .

"We want to stress that we have always known that there had been a political dimension to the lingering
problem in Borno State and that the faceless Al-Zawahiri is the mouthpiece of this "political Boko
Haram" which is dropping the SSS name as a cover for its unpatriotic acts."

Jonathan had during the weekend at the graduation of top military officers in Jaji, Kaduna, warned that
the government would no longer tolerate the lawlessness of the group.

The SSS chief reiterated the position of the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, that the
Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) donated to the police were not meant to fight members of the sect.

Abdulhameed said: "Suffice to mention here that the current deployment of security agents to the state
does not amount to a clampdown on the sect as being peddled by mischief makers, but a matter of
responsibility on the part of the Federal Government to protect the citizens who have been seriously
traumatised in recent times.

He advised the sect members to lay down their arms and embrace the "carrot and stick" option of the
President as their call for "jobs and justice can only be realised in an atmosphere of peace of which, we
firmly believe can be achieved sooner than later," .

Three suspected Boko Haram gunmen on foot had killed four persons in Bulabulin-Ngaranaram and
Galadima wards of Maiduguri metropolis. The victims included a retired soldier, identified as Joseph, 59,
who was shot in the arm when the gunmen climbed the wall fence of his residence at 11.45 p.m.

Others killed were Abba Panama, 45, a bricklayer, Sani Umar, 25, a student of the School of Nursing,
Maiduguri, Apagu Umar, 30, a businessman, and Pa Alao, a resident of Galadima ward in Maiduguri. .

Confirming the night attacks and killings, Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order
(JTORO), Maj.-Gen. Jack Nwachukwu Nwaogbo, said: "We could not get the reports of the multiple
attacks and killings in the two wards, until late night at 1.25 a.m. when distress calls were received from
two residents that their father and two relations were shot and killed in their houses at 11 p.m. on
Saturday by three suspected Islamist sect." .
He said three gunmen climbed the wall fence of the residence of Abba Panama Bulabuli-Ngaranaram
ward, before firing several gunshots into his head and chest, adding that barely half an hour, Umar of the
School of Nursing, was also shot and killed in the same ward.

On the inability of members of JTORO to reach the scenes of the attacks and killings, he said the gunmen
muffled their Kalashnikov rifles with pillows to silence the sounds of the gunshots, adding that "by the
time we reached the houses that were invaded, some residents had been killed. The suspects fled into the
neighbouring Bolori and Kumshe wards. It seems that the armed men have changed and resorted to quiet
attacks and shootings, where both neighbours and taskforce members could not hear the sound of any gun
shots to arrest the suspected killers." . .

A 35-year-old trader and relation of the slain Apagu said: "What have we done to the Boko Haram sect?
Our brother had been selling fuel to some of the sect members on credit amounting to over N40, 000
without paying... And now they shot and killed our breadwinner in his pool of blood."

Nwaogbo said several arrests were made on Sunday morning following a tip-off on the fleeing gunmen,
adding that the suspects were being interrogated at an undisclosed location in the metropolis, before they
would be handed over to the police for prosecution in court.

Distraught residents of the FCT at the weekend asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike
Ihejirika, to check the excesses of the soldiers deployed to firm up the security in the area.

The residents alleged that the soldiers had resorted to flagrant abuse of their mandate, just as they
described their modus operandi at the checkpoints as "abuse of power and authority."

They, therefore, want the military authorities to review the briefs given to the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has charged its officers and men to work with other security agencies,
especially the police to achieve the government's goal of combating crime in the country.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim, stated this at this year's Naval Police
Seminar tagged "Repositioning the Naval Police for Optimal Efficiency in a Democratic Dispensation." It
was organised at the Nigerian Navy Ship Quorra, Apapa, Lagos.
Ibrahim, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral
Emmanuel Ogbor, said the synergy was necessary because crime fighting is a collective responsibility of
all agencies of government.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Police Say Bomb Blast, Shootings Kill 20 in Northern Nigeria

AFP20110704309009 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2102 GMT 03 Jul 11

["20 killed in blast, shootings in northern Nigeria: sources" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, July 3, 2011 (AFP) - A bomb blast at a police beer garden killed at least 10 people
Sunday in the troubled northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri where Islamists are active, a military
source and a witness said.

Hours earlier, a leading politician was shot dead in the same city, while police sources and residents
reported a wave of shootings overnight Saturday that killed nine people, including three retired police
officers.

"The bomb was planted at the middle of the 'mammy market' and at least 10 people have been killed and
several others seriously injured from the explosion," said an army officer who prefered not to be named.

The so-called mammy market beer gardens are open air pubs and eateries found around police or military
barracks, open to both security personnel and civilians.
Brigadier-General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo, the commander of a crack military unit deployed a week
ago to curb the unrest in the area, confirmed the attack, saying they had so far recorded eight deaths.

"There has been a bomb explosion at a market belonging to the police in Wulari area of the city,"
Nwaogbo told AFP on the phone from Maiduguri.

"So far we have eight dead and 13 injured. These are from those counted at the scene," he later said.

Umar Kaulaha, a resident in the area said he had heard a "loud bang followed by dark clouds of smoke
from the beer garden".

"There was confusion and horrified cries as people scampered to safety. I saw three military vans leaving
the neighbourhood with the dead and the wounded from the blast," Kaulaha said.

"From my estimation, around a dozen people may have died," he added.

The open beer garden was a popular spot attracting large crowds of drinkers especially on Sundays,
Kaulaha said.

Hours before the attack, a politician of the state's ruling party the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), was
shot and killed near his house in another part of the city.

Two motorcycle riding gunmen shot Mustapha Ba'le in the head, and sped off, a senior police officer said.

And overnight Saturday, gunmen went from house to house Saturday night shooting their victims in
targeted attacks, a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

"The attackers went straight to the homes of their victims and shot them dead between 11 pm (2200
GMT) and midnight (2300 GMT) and got away," he added.

"It is obvious the attackers were members of Boko Haram."

The Islamist sect is the prime suspect for all of the weekend's attacks, as well as for an attack on a civilian
beer garden in the same city last Sunday, which left at least 25 dead and 30 wounded.

Although no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, they bore their hallmark.

The extremist sect has in the last year carried out bombings and shot dead leading figures in the region.

And it claimed responsibility for a May 29 bomb attack on a beer garden in a military barracks in
northern Bauchi city that killed 13 people and injured 30 others.

The attack happened the same day President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn into office.

The group has also claimed responsibility for the June 16 bomb attack on police headquarters in the
Nigerian capital Abuja that killed at least two people, including a policeman.

They said they had been aiming for the national police chief.

The group has targeted military and police personnel, community and religious leaders, politicians, public
facilities churches and a prison.

Boko Haram -- the name means "Western education is sin" -- launched an uprising in 2009 which was put
down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead, most of them members of the sect.

The group is fighting to establish an Islamic state in northern Nigeria.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Door-To-Door Shootings Kill 9 in Northern Nigerian City

AFP20110704309010 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2047 GMT 03 Jul 11

["Nine killed in door-to-door shootings in Nigeria" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, July 3, 2011 (AFP) - Nine people, including three retired policemen, were killed in
overnight door-to-door attacks in Nigeria's troubled city of Maiduguri, police sources and residents said
Sunday.

Gunmen suspected to be members of an Islamist Boko Haram sect went from house to house shooting
their victims in targeted attacks, a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

"Nine people were killed in all and three of them were ex-policemen," said the police officer.

"The attackers went straight to the homes of their victims and shot them dead between 11 pm (2200
GMT) and midnight (2300 GMT) and got away," he added.

"It is obvious the attackers were members of Boko Haram."

Bature Goni Hashim, a resident of Bulabulin Ngarannam area of the city, said six of the victims,
including the three policemen were buried Sunday.

Hundreds of troops were deployed to Maiduguri last Sunday on the orders of Nigerian President
Goodluck Jonathan to end the insurgency launched by the sect.
The crack team, comprising the army, navy, air force, police, immigration and customs personnels have
set up checkpoints all over the city.

Boko Haram, which seeks the establishment of an Islamic state in nothern Nigeria has, since a shortlived
uprising in 2009, changed its tactics.

It has since targetted military and police personnel, community and religious leaders, politicians, public
facilities, churches and a prison.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Security Service Arrests 100 Suspected Islamic Sect Members in 6 States

AFP20110705598002 Lagos This Day Online in English 05 Jul 11

[Report by Yemi Akinsuyi and Michael Olugbode: "SSS: Arrested Boko Haram Members Won't Face
Trial"]

The State Security Service (SSS) Monday said it had arrested over 100 suspected members of the Boko
Haram sect but they would not be prosecuted - in line with President Goodluck Jonathan's decision to
adopt a political solution to the problem.

The group has been carrying out a bombing campaign, demanding among other things that the Islamic
law, Shari'ah, should be implemented across the federation, although with particular emphasis on the
North.
SSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar said the arrests were made in six states - Borno, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano,
Yobe and Adamawa. All are in the North-east and North-west.

Ogar explained that since Jonathan had decided to use the "carrot and stick" approach on suspects of
Boko Haram, SSS would not go contrary to that strategy.

"That is why the arrested suspects would not be prosecuted," she said.

The suspects are already helping the security agents with information on the activities of the religious
sect.

Part of the benefits of this approach, she disclosed, was that SSS, on May 23, June 10, 14, 27 and 29
discovered and successfully demobilised eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kafanchan, one in
Goni Gora, and Dambo Interna-tional College, all in Kaduna State.

The agency also said it received information from some "patriotic Nigerians" and recovered components
of yet-to-be-assembled explosives which included a gas cylinder with a pin, detonating cables, a bottle of
distilled water, pliers, masking tape and clips in a hotel in Kaduna.

She said the bomb was meant to be detonated in a shopping mall in Kaduna.

In Maiduguri, the Joint Task Force (JTF) said Boko Haram had been planting IEDs at business and social
centres.

The commander of JTF, Major General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo, revealed this in a statement on the
Sunday explosion that rocked the Wulari police barracks in Maiduguri which left many people dead.

"The development is worrisome and there is the need for all hands to be on deck to check this menace,"
he said.

The statement was signed by the spokesman of JTF, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme.
Nwaogbo called on business owners to report any suspicious movements around their business places and
residential areas to his command.

While commiserating with those that lost their loved ones during the recent attacks, the general assured
the public that troops were on the perpetrators' heels to restore order in the state.

The state of insecurity in the state worsened yesterday as five suspected armed robbers killed a policeman
and three members of staff of Shani Local Government area and carted away millions of naira that was
meant for the salaries of the local government employees.

Witnesses said the police had escorted the staff of the finance department of the local government who
withdrew the unspecified amount of money at a bank in Biu town but were intercepted at Marama
junction, along the Biu-Shani road.

Chairman of the local government, Modu Wallama, confirmed that the armed robbers, who drove in a
white Starlet saloon car, intercepted the staff and killed them.

He revealed that "they brandished sophisticated guns and shot the victims before they took away all the
money that was withdrawn from the bank."

He said he had informed top officials of the Borno State government and security agencies.

"We have also recovered the dead bodies for burial," he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Lawan Abdullahi, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]
UK Security Agents Uncover Al-Qa'ida Plot To Operate From Nigeria

AFP20110706598001 Lagos This Day Online in English 04 Jul 11

[Report by Paul Ohia, Michael Olugbode and Shola Oyeyipo: "UK Security Agents: Al-Qaeda Plans To
Operate From Nigeria"]

British spy chiefs said at the weekend that they had uncovered a plot by Al-Qaeda to make Nigeria their
headquarters from where they could carry out attacks on Europe.

Also, members of the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, were on the prowl at the weekend as they
killed two brothers and another person in Maiduguri, Borno State, during an alleged house-to-house
search for non-Muslims.

London-based newspaper, Mirror, reported Sunday that Prime Minister David Cameron had been alerted
by the spy chiefs on the determination by the terrorist group to make Nigeria a base for plotting terror
attacks on the West.

The report aligned the intention of Al-Qaeda with the attacks by Boko Haram whom they described as
"dramatically stepping up their campaign".

Mirror quoted an unnamed British official as lamenting that "there are dozens of flights every day from
Lagos to London. We either help stop the terrorists here, or we will be dealing with them on the streets of
Britain."

However, there are only three direct flights to London everyday - by Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and
Arik Air.

On Christmas Day in 2009, before Boko Haram became very threatening, an alleged young Nigerian Al-
Qaeda operative, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, attempted to bomb a United States Delta airliner on its
way to Detroit but was stopped by the plane occupants.
Last year, Reuters reported that an Al-Qaeda group in North Africa had offered to give Nigerian Muslims
training and weapons to fight Christians.

"We are ready to train your people in weapons and give you whatever support we can in men, arms and
munitions to enable you to defend our people in Nigeria," the statement by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM) said, according to the news agency.

It was signed in the name of Abu Mus'ab Abdel-Wadoud, who was described as the "emir" or leader of
the group and appeared on Islamic websites that often carry statements from groups using the Al-Qaeda
name around the world.

"You are not alone in this test. The hearts of Mujahideen are in pain over your troubles and desire to help
you as much as possible in the Islamic Maghreb, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Chechnya," it
said.

Last Saturday's attacks by the Boko Haram group began at about 11pm and lasted till midnight at the
Bulabuli-Ngaranaram area of Maiduguri, the state capital.

Witnesses revealed that the attack was carried out by three unidentified gunmen who scaled the fences of
the houses in selective search for non-Muslim residents.

At the end of their attacks, three persons, comprising one Abba Panam, a local mason and two blood
brothers - Sani Umar, 35, and Apagu Umar, 30 - were killed at different locations.

During the attacks, an ex-soldier, Pa Joseph, managed to escape with several bullet wounds.

The wife of late Panam, who spoke to journalists on the attack amidst sobbing and wailing, said the three
men jumped into their compound around 11pm and asked everyone in the house to come out for checks.
They thereafter separated the women from the men and asked her husband to lie down.

According to her: "They asked if my husband will stop being a Christian and become one of them
(Muslim) and my husband told them that 'no, I am already a Christian'. Then they shot him in the head. I
came out after they had gone and saw my husband, the father of my nine children, dead with wounds in
his head."
She added that the men that killed her husband were dressed like soldiers, but that their trousers were not
all that very long.

In the home of Umar, which was a stone's throw from Panam's, the eldest brother of the Panam brothers
told THISDAY that he was informed by those in their house that the gunmen attacked at about 11:45pm
and left within 10 minutes as his two younger brothers were also killed.

He said: "When they entered the house, they asked for money from the youngest of my brothers, Apagu,
who is 30 years old and an oil business man. His wife immediately entered into th e house to bring out the
money in the house while they held my brothers down at gunpoint. When they got the money, they said
that was not only what they came for and then shot both of them in the head."

He added that apart from the suspicion that they were killed by Boko Haram members, he also suspected
that his two brothers' assailants might be those that owed his junior brother Apagu some huge amount of
money from the transactions he had with them in the past.

"My brother had told me that some of his business associates are those suspected to be members of the
Boko Haram sect; and since after the attack on them in 2009 most of them ran away without paying him
his money. He told me some three months ago that some of them came back and paid him his money
while some others refused to. I believe those that killed my brothers did so because of the money they
owed," he said.

Confirming the development, the military Joint Task Force (JTF) said the incident involved an ex-soldier,
Joseph. It also said it was shocked because none of their sectors on patrol in the Bulabuli-Ngaranaram
area heard any gunshot that led to the killing of the other three.

In another incident, barely an hour after the Caretaker Chairman of Jere Local Government Area, Alhaji
Mustapaha Ba'ale, was shot dead in his house in Maiduguri by suspected members of Boko Haram, the
group was alleged to have bombed another local drinking joint in the town leaving several persons dead
and many injured.

Although the casualty figure could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, but accounts
revealed that many persons were killed in the blast, which occurred right in the middle of the usually
congested drinking joint.

One of the witnesses said five persons were already dead and that many others were rushed to the
hospital.
Confirming the attack, JTF spokesman, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, told journalists on phone that "we have
just got the report; we are on our way there, and we will get back to you".

A witness, Mallam Abdullahi, who spoke on phone with journalists, said: "The bomb went off right in the
middle of the Wulari Mammy market, near one Jummai Watanda shop. It is a popular joint within Wulari
market."

He added that he saw the security people evacuating the victims - some dead and many wounded.

"We saw soldiers open fire on a Volkswagen Golf car that they asked to stop but refused to stop... We
really don't have the full picture of happenings there because the soldiers have cordoned off the whole
area," he said.

Ebhaleme said: "It was gathered that the Boko Haram gunmen now resort to muffling their guns with
pillow-foams so that the sound will not be heard by anyone."

He added that some suspected members of the sect were arrested yesterday morning following a tip-off
and they were undergoing interrogation.

In the attack on Ba'ale, it was learnt that he was killed in his house around 4pm.

According to witnesses, the deceased council boss, who was appointed by Governor Kashim Shettima
two weeks ago, was attacked in his Madinatu house in Old Maiduguri by unknown gunmen who opened
fire on him and left him dead.

JTF officials confirmed the incident to journalists at about 4.35p.m, also yesterday.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Kashim Shettima, Hon. Abubakar Kyari, also confirmed the development
on phone.

Although details of the killing remained sketchy, news of the incident went round the state capital and
outside that the popular politician who represented Jere State constituency in the last House of Assembly,
and contested and lost the House of Representatives election for the same area on the platform of the All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) had been killed by the fundamentalists.

The death of Ba'ale, who was in his early 50s, added to the list of prominent individuals killed by the
group including Awana Ali Ngala (ANPP Vice-Chairman, North-east), Modu Fannami Gubio (former
ANPP gubernatorial candidate) and Abba Anas El-Kanemi (th e brother of Shehu of Borno).

In a related development, detachments of security agencies were at the weekend dispatched to secure the
Jamata Bridge on River Niger, along Lokoja-Abuja Road and Itobe Bridge, linking Ajaokuta with the
Eastern flank of Kogi State following intelligence reports that Boko Haram was planning to detonate
bombs on the bridges linking the West and East to the Northern parts of Nigeria.

While confirming the presence of security agents at the bridges, the Kogi State Police Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said it was part of proactive arrangement by the command to forestall any
form of security breach. He assured citizens that Kogi State was not under any security threat.

"Security in Kogi is not under any threat. The security presence you noticed is part of proactive
arrangement by the command to forestall any security breach," he said.

However, a highly placed security officer, who confided in journalists, revealed that all security
formations had been put on alert so as to prevent the state from attack and prevent the Boko Haram from
settling down there.

According to him, following the clampdown on the Boko Haram up North, members of the sect were
believed to be planning to infiltrate Kogi, Nassarawa and Niger States.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]
Nigeria: Police Raid Camp of Radical Islamic Sect

AFP20110706686004 Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English 06 Jul 11 p 7

[Unattributed report: "Police Raid Boko Haram Hideout in Bauchi"]

Three people were confirmed killed yesterday, while several others sustained injuries, when police raided
an alleged hide-out of Boko Haram at Anguwan Kura in Jahun ward in Bauchi State. Our correspondent
gathered that the sound of the gunshots caused pandemonium among residents in the area particularly in
Dutse Tanshi, Danjuma Goje Street, Federal Low Cost Housing and Games Village.

The police operation which lasted almost six hours was said to have been a pro-active action aimed at
smoking out the Boko Haram outlets in the state.

Speaking to our correspondent, an eye witness account said that he saw one man that was shot on his
stomach and another man shot on his hand and legs.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammad Barau, said that, "the police
received information that criminals were hiding in one house in Anguwan Kur and that based on this
information, a team of police men cordoned the house and the people inside the house opened fire on the
police. The police attacked them and overpowered them".

Mohammed Barau explained that the police searched the house and found guns and ammunitions, while
those who were injured were arrested and taken the injured to the hospital.

When newsmen asked whether the suspects were members of the Boko Haram sect, the police spokesman
said he could not yet establish if they were members of the group or not and added that the team that
carried out the raid just came back from its operation and was yet to make a detailed report.

Meanwhile senators met with service chiefs in camera yesterday to discuss the Boko Haram onslaught
claiming lives and property in the North, particularly in Kaduna, Maiduguri, Borno, and Bauchi, where
the police have attacked the hideout of the jihadists.
But Boko Haram piled on the terror in Maiduguri, killing seven persons, including two policemen, one
soldier, one Customs officer, and three civilians.

One of the policemen, Babagana Angus, was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department [CID] at
the Gwange divisional police station. Gunmen stormed his residence at about 11 a.m. on a motorcycle and
disappeared as soon as they accomplished their dastardly mission. The other policeman was mowed down
at the same Gwange at about 3.30 p.m. The soldier was killed at London Chiki at about 4 p.m.

Joint Task Force [JTF] Commander, Major General Jack Nwaogbo, confirmed the murder of the soldier.

In attendance at the meeting in the Senate were National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi; Chief of
Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, and State
Security Service [SSS] Director, Ita Ekpenyong.

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba told reporters later that the meeting covered all security challenges,
including the Boko Haram phenomenon. "Questions were asked, clarifications sought, and they were
given. The security chiefs assured Nigerians that they are on top of the situation and that these challenges,
especially the challenge of Boko Haram, will be contained sooner than later," he said. He added that the
security chiefs said arrests have been made.

The initial concern of the security chiefs was on an enabling law to arrest suspects but that has been laid
to rest with the Anti Terrorism Act. Suspects were arrested in the past only for them to be released
because there was no law under which to charge them to court. "But with the promulgation of Anti
Terrorism Act we now have appropriate legal framework within which we can deal with the situation.
The Act has also made the international community to have confidence in our readiness to fight
terrorism," Ndoma-Egba noted.

Back in Bauchi, three persons were killed on Tuesday and several others injured when the police
attacked the hideout of Boko Haram in the Anguwan Kura area of the metropolis.

Gunshots caused panic among residents, particularly around Dutse Tanshi, Danjuma Goje Street, Federal
Low Cost Housing, and Games Village. The police operation, which lasted about six hours, was a pro-
active action to smoke out Boko Haram members from their strongholds in the state.
The meeting in the senate forced the shifting of screening of ministerial nominees to today.

President Goodluck Jonathan has replaced on the list the name of Tonye Cole with that of former Finance
Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now World Bank Managing Director.

Those who were to be screened yesterday included Olusegun Aganga, Obadiah Ando, Bassey Ewa, Abba
Moro, Samuel Ortom, Bukar Tijani, Mike Omolememen, Barth Nnaji, Iris Umar, and Viola Onwuliri.

Bello Mohammed, Bolaji Abdullahi, Olugbenga Ashiru, Akinwumi Adesina, Olusola Obada, Olajumoke
Akinjide, Lawan Ngama, Bashar Yuguda, and Zainab Kuchi.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English -- Rivers State owned
daily]

Nigeria: Police Arrest 15 Suspected Islamic Sect Members in Taraba State

AFP20110707565009 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 06 Jul 11

[Report by Chuks Collins, Charles Akpeji, Ali Garba, Obire Onakemu, Njadvara Musa and Terhemba
Daka: "Four Soldiers Injured in Fresh Boko Haram Blasts; Police Arrest 15 Suspected Sect Members in
Taraba; Explosives Discovered in Bauchi Bank"]

As clues continue to elude the Federal Government as to how to tame the prowling Boko Haram, the
group yesterday launched a fresh attack on security operatives, injuring four soldiers.

But the police have arrested 15 suspected members of the sect in Taraba and discovered explosives in a
bank in Bauchi.

The bombing of a military patrol vehicle by the suspected Boko Haram members, which injured four
soldiers yesterday at the Maiduguri New Prison, has forced the Joint Taskforce Operation Restore Order
(JTORO) to condone off five wards in the Maiduguri metropolis.

The condoning, according to the commander of JTORO, Maj.-Gen. Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo, was
"unavoidable and necessary" to massively hunt for the fleeing armed sect members that have been
terrorising and killing Maiduguri residents and members of the taskforce for over three weeks. He said
that soldiers were able to arrest a prime suspect of the blasts in Abagaram ward.

He said with the arrest of the suspect, he would be an asset to the security taskforce on "information and
intelligence" gathering on the identities and locations of other sect members living in the five affected
wards.

Two explosives, suspected to be bombs, were discovered on the premises of a first generation bank in
Toro Local Council of Bauchi State at about 9.00 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Command, Mr. Mohammed Barau, confirmed the
incident to The Guardian.

According to him, a bomb was also planted by unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko
Haram sect.
A top official of the council, who asked not to be identified publicly, said one suspect detained in Toro
Police cell for stealing a goat was freed by the gunmen.

The incident created panic among residents and students of former Toro Teachers College now known as
Government College Toro. Out of fear, most of them slept in the bush while classes and administrative
work were suspended for security purposes.

The PPRO revealed that a team from the command's anti-bomb blast squad was immediately deployed in
the area.

In Taraba, the police arrested 15 persons suspected to be Boko Haram members.

Also interrogated in connection with the activities of the sect was a top serving government functionary.

The suspects, our correspondent learnt, were raided in their hide-out located along Mile Six in the state
capital by the police following a tip-off by some residents of the state.

Confirming the report, the Police Commissioner, Mrs. Chintua A. Onu, agreed that some suspects of the
Boko Haram were in the police custody but he refused to comment on the top government functionary
that was being interrogated.

She said: "It is an issue that I cannot discuss because we are not sure. Even if we are sure, it is the
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) that will speak on the issue and not me. "

Also answering questions from The Guardian on the same issue, the Special Adviser to the Governor on
Security Matters, Group Captain Agyu Sule Gani (rtd), said his office had been informed of the police
breakthrough.

He said: "I was informed by the Commissioner of Police that some people believed to be members of the
Boko Haram have been arrested." Like the commissioner, he denied knowledge of the government's
functionary who was invited for interrogation.

Further down South yesterday, five persons have been confirmed killed in a renewed violence by a
militant group in Anambra State.
The group, with the ironic name, Adike Peace Foundation (APF), according to a statement presented to
the Anambra Police Commissioner, Muhtari Ibrahim by the Obosi community in Idemili North Local
Council of the state, has since 2006 intimidated and harassed virtually every resident of the town while
seizing and converting their lands, buildings and other chattels.

In a two-page document signed on behalf of the traditional ruler, HRM Igwe Josiah Nwakobi, Eze Obosi,
by two palace chiefs, Chief Ernest Ojiaku, the Iyasele and Dr. Patrick Osakwe, the Odu Nkata-ukwu, the
community supported the police boss who paid a courtesy call on the monarch yesterday, in a bid to
check the APF assault on the citizens.

According to the presentation, "Obosi has been noted for peace and hospitality, discipline and decorum
until 2006 institution of a group called Adike Peace Foundation who were originally formed to ward off
possible encroachers from Obosi lands. However, the group of several hundreds of boys was hijacked
from the official control of the Igwe-in-Council by one of our sons... who turned APF into his private
army, and since then Obosi has not known peace."

Muhtari asserted that the APF was already outlawed before he assumed duty in the state some months
back. He also reiterated that security was not a monopoly of the police, but that of everyone. He,
therefore, urged the residents to work in concert with his command in the interest of the state.

Besides, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has called on Nigerians
resident outside their states of origin to always live in peace with their host communities irrespective of
their religious or political affiliations.

Tambuwal, who noted that Nigeria's sovereignty had never been so threatened following the insecurity in
the country, also warned that there was no country in Africa that would accommodate refugees from
Nigeria arising from an outbreak of war.

Addressing a delegation of the Arewa Consultative Forum, South-South and South-East geo-political
zones in his office in Abuja yesterday, the Speaker said God created Nigeria and imbued it with various
peoples, tendencies, inclinations, tribes as well as beliefs, hence the need for all to live together for the
country's development.

In the same vein, the President of Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), Archbishop Magnus A. Atilade, has
stressed the need for the Federal Government to beef up security nationwide.
In its general meeting held yesterday in Lagos, Atilade stressed that the bombing of the Police
Headquarters in Abuja was a grievous security breach and an affront to the government.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Bar Union Faults Security Body for Not Prosecuting Islamic Sect Members

AFP20110707565023 Lagos This Day Online in English 07 Jul 11

[Report by Tobi Soniyi: "NBA Faults SSS on Boko Haram Suspects"]

The Nigerian Bar Association Wednesday in Abuja faulted the decision of the State Security Services
(SSS) not to prosecute the arrested members of the Boko Haram sect for alleged terrorism.

Addressing a press conference to herald plans by the association to hold an international conference on
criminal justice reforms in the country, the association's President, Chief Joseph Daudu SAN said the
decision to prosecute or not lies with the Attorney General of the Federation and not the SSS.

He pointed out that SSS was not in a position to decide on whom to prosecute, adding that it would
amount to usurping the constitutional duties of the AGF for the SSS to start deciding on whom to
prosecute.

According to him, SSS should only be seen and not heard.

He advised agencies and institutions of government to learn to keep to the limit of their duties and stop
dabbling into what did not concern them.

He also denied the claim that he was appointed an honorary special adviser to the President but said that
NBA gave informed opinion on issues to the government which government could either take or
disregard. The association also expressed concern at the state security in the country.

Daudu warned that unless the security challenges in the country were tackled Nigeria would not be able to
achieve the objective of becoming one of the world 20 biggest economies by 2020.

He noted that the security sector of the country was bedevilled with many crises including the inability of
security agents to stop crimes before they happened and the inability of courts to dispense with criminal
cases within the shortest time possible.

He argued that unless people who committed crimes were apprehended, tried and punished in accordance
with the law, many more would continue to take to crimes.

He also pointed out that the bulk of the country's criminal laws were out-dated and could not cater for the
security needs of the country at the present time. He cited the Penal Code which applied in the north
which he said was more than 100 years old.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Police Arrest Taraba Governor's Aide Over Alleged Islamic Sect Link
AFP20110708598016 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 08 Jul 11

[Report by Celestine Ihejirika: "Taraba Gov's Aide Arrested Over Alleged Connection With Boko
Haram"]

The immediate past member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, representing Jalingo II constituency,
who was recently appointed as Special Adviser on Special Duties to Governor Danbaba Suntai, Mr
Kabiru Dodo, has been arrested by the police, over alleged connection with the Boko Haram.

The governor's aide was arrested on Thursday on the Government House premises, before he was moved
to the police headquarters in the state under tight security.

A top police officer, who was at the scene of the arrest, told the Nigerian Tribune on condition of
anonymity that the aide was arrested for his alleged links with activities of the Boko Haram in the
country.

According to the source, the police acted immediately, based on the infor-mation gathered from some
suspects who were arrested recently, following an attack carried out on a police officer on duty at
Unguwan Gadi area of Jalingo recently.

When contacted over the development, the state Commissioner of Police Mrs Chintua Amajor Onu, told
newsmen that the issue was still being investigated.

The police boss said she could not make any comment over it for now, but, however, promised to brief
the press after the investigation.

According to the Commisioner of Police, the police check point mounted all over the places in the state
capital is the normal routine duties perform by the police adding that henceforth the police command is
going to release out GSM phone numbers so that the general public may call the police when the need
arises.

Mean while, as at time of filling this report, the Nigerian Tribune and other media colleagues had visited
the state police command headquarters where the official vehicle of the special Adviser with Reg. No.
TRGH 92 was seen parked at the premises of the State police command while other Special advisers from
the government house were seen making effort to see the commissioner of police over their colleague
who was arrested by the police yesterday.
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Suspected Islamists Kill 5 in Police Station, Bank Attack in North Nigeria

AFP20110709309005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2110 GMT 08 Jul 11

["Police killed, station bombed in north Nigeria: residents" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, July 8, 2011 (AFP) - Attackers armed with bombs and guns destroyed a police station
and robbed a bank Friday in northern Nigeria, killing five in a region hit by violence blamed on Islamists,
residents said.

Police either did not answer calls or respond to requests to confirm the information provided by residents,
who said four of those killed in the town of Alkaleri were police officers and the fifth was a bank
employee.

"The whole town was thrown into confusion as gunshots and loud blasts filled the air," resident Awwalu
Umar said by phone. "The whole police station has been destroyed from the bomb blast."

Residents said the attacks on the police station and bank, located some 500 metres apart, were carried out
by two separate groups nearly simultaneously and appeared to be coordinated.

One resident, Suleiman Hamza, said those at the police station fired shots to force their way in, killed
three police officers, then took away weapons. Bombs were then used to destroy the station, he said.
The other group killed a police officer guarding the bank and a bank employee, then took an unspecified
amount of money, resident Sunusi Saleh said.

Another resident said the attackers threw some of the money into the air as they were fleeing.

Such attacks in northern Nigeria have intensified in recent weeks and have been blamed on an Islamist
sect known as Boko Haram, which launched a short-lived uprising in 2009 put down by a brutal military
assault.

Many of the attacks have occurred in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, where hundreds of troops were
recently deployed on the orders of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Authorities on Thursday completely banned motorcycles in Maiduguri, with many of the attacks having
been carried out by gunmen on motorbikes.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Islamic Sect Reportedly Plans 'Massive Attacks' in Northern Nigeria

AFP20110709598016 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 09 Jul 11

[Report by Taiwo Adisa, James Bwala, Bode Adewumi and Uchechukwu Olisah: "Slain Leader s
Anniversary: Boko Haram Plans Massive Attacks; As More Residents Flee Maiduguri; Houses Now Sell
For N200,000 Each; Tight Security Around NYSC Camps; Scarcity Of Funds Grounds Police"]
The menace of Boko Haram insurgency currently ravaging parts of the North and Abuja is far from being
over following indications that the sect has concluded arrangements to orchestrate massive bomb blasts
on specific targets across states of the North at the end of July.

Sources close to the administration confirmed to the Saturday Tribune that Boko Haram members have
planned to mark the one year anniversary of the slain leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in a "big way."

It was gathered that members of the sect have received a number of trainees from Sudan and Somalia who
are to join the massive operations planned to celebrate the one year anniversary of the sect leader.

Sources further confirmed that some of the trainees who completed a three-month training in Sudan and
Somalia under the watchful eyes of a subsidiary of the Al-Qaeda, which coordinates African operations,
are to be deployed for the planned attacks.

Government sources confirmed that the attacks are being targeted at a number of states including Borno,
the capital of the Boko Haram operations, Katsina, Kaduna and Yobe states.

"Because of the series of operations around Abuja and the demystification of the police, operatives of the
Boko Haram sect have decided to relocate to some northern states. They are said to be planning big ahead
of the anniversary of the death of the leader, Yusuf.

"The constant security checks in Abuja seems to have forced them to change their focus from Abuja to
other states," a source said, adding that the sect is also relying on its newly returned trainees for some
operations.

The over 100 youths who were said to have been trained in Sudan and Somalia in the acts of bombing and
terrorism were said to be awaiting orders from their commanders.

"The operations of this sect is getting deeper than many people know. The international dimensions are
overwhelming. It is a challenge across the world and those behind it are trying to make the porous African
borders their new posts after the heat has been unleashed on the Middle East states by Western powers.

"In their attempt to strengthen their operations, some 100 youths sent on terrorism training abroad have
returned ahead of the July 31 anniversary of the death of Mallam Mohammed Yusuf, the Boko Haram
founder," a source stated.
Sources added that the government is studying a number of steps aimed at curtailing operations of the sect
and making them responsible members of the society.

Residents Flee, Houses Sold Off

For fear that the military may flex its muscles as demonstrated in Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam in
Benue State, dozens of people are already fleeing Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to find peace and
shelter elsewhere following continued failure in the peace process between government and Islamic
militants, the Boko Haram.

Saturday Tribune observed that many people are already selling their properties, including houses at give
away price owing to the crises.

For instance, a bungalow is being sold for as low as N200, 000, Saturday Tribune gathered from a
resident, Hamisu Lawal.

"Even at that price nobody is willing to buy because nobody wants to continue to witness what has been
happening in Maiduguri in the past few days. I am leaving the state for Yobe, it is much safer even
though it is also a time bomb but for now, Yobe is better." Lawal explained.

Also speaking, Mallam Modu Aisami told Saturday Tribune that in London Ciki, some of the houses that
ordinarily should be sold for N1 million is now going for even less than N200, 000.

According to him, women are selling their jewelry and other valuables received from their suitors as part
of those things typical Kanuri man gives out when asking for a woman's hand in marriage.

"Earlier this year when the Boko Haram threw bomb at soldiers in London Chiki where I used to live, I
knew people that sold their houses for N500, 000. Other people sold their houses for as low as N150,000,
but now I learnt that hou ses are sold for even N100, 000 especially those that were destroyed as a result
of bomb blasts," he said.

Another resident, Hussaini Amma, also confirmed that in Abaganram, a lot of people have abandoned
their home and returned to their native town having sold their properties at give away price.
According to him, some could not even sell anything because what they had had been destroyed.

"I don't know how much a lot of people sold their properties, but I know that they were sold at give away
prices because they have to leave. I know somebody who sold his farm just yesterday, it was a farm he
inherited. That farm was more than 300 plots and he sold it for N1.4 million. You can imagine how much
that would have cost even last year. It would have been over N10 million last year," he said.

Tight Security Around Camps

At the NYSC orientation camp, soldiers and police were seen battle- ready to ensure that no youth corps
member is killed.

According to a source, about 40 soldiers and 20 policemen fully equipped were attached to the camp to
ensure the safety of all corps members posted to Borno State.

"We were expecting 2,700 corps members for the Batch "B", however, we now have about 1,200 owing
to the security situation," he explained.

He said "Our problem now is that most of them who are still coming did not know Borno State and it was
this Okada riders that they usually depend on to carry them to the camp. With the ban on motorcycles, it
would be difficult for many of them that are coming to really find their ways here because we understand
that a lot of them who did not show up are in Abuja trying to get redeployment, but if it fails they have to
come down."

He also said that, if government did not put in place alternative means before the end of the orientation
camp, it would be difficult for youth corps members to go about in the state as a result of the ban. He,
however, hopes that the situation may improve before the end of the orientation camp.

Speaking to Saturday Tribune in Maiduguri, Mallam Umar Yahaya, a businessman, said that, "In asmuch
as we appreciate government concern in this situation, I personally think that government should have
provided means of transportation before enforcing a ban."

But state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said government was not unmindful of the sufferings of the
people of Borno State.
According to him, "We are compelled by the situation on ground to enforce complete ban on the use of
both commercial and private motorcycles, because it was what the Boko Haram use mostly to wreck
havoc and in a situation like this, we all have to come together to find solutions to our problems. The ban
is for our own good. We have already purchased Keke Napep and they are already being assembled and
would be ready for distribution as we already have about 1,608 on ground and our target is 5,000."

He said the total registered commercial motorcycles in the state stands at 7,000 as such the introduction of
Keke Napep will cater for more than the motorcycles.

He therefore urged people to be patient as their suffering will soon be over.

Boko Haram Gives Conditions

In another development, the group under the name Jama'atu ahlus sunnah lid da'awati wal jihad popularly
known as Boko Haram has, in a statement issued by spokesman of the group, Abu Zaid, and exclusively
obtained by a wire service, www.pointblanknews.com, said that the group would only accept the
apologies of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff only if he dissociates himself from "anti-Islamic
activities."

Saturday Tribune learnt that, Sheriff who apologised to the group in some national dailies has not stepped
into Maiduguri since he left the city a few days after he relinquished power owing to fear of attack by the
sect members.

The sect had, in a statement, urged the former government to dissociate himself from democracy and also
withdraw his support or contribution to either his cronies or political associates nationw i de and also
come to join the sect to fight the system he helped built even as an adviser.

The group further said that it was "only in such manner that Allah will forgive him because it was not
them that he had wronged but Allah because he is committing shirk (unbelief)."

The sect members warned all Muslims to stay away from Christians, security agents, government
institutions and functions or face death, maintaining that, "since the present Federal Government is not
Islamic, every of its employee is considered an infidel marked for elimination."

According to Zaid, "The only dialogue in this crisis is as follows: Stop abiding by the constitution in our
land (Dualan Usmaniyya), and government must be sincere and stop terrorising Muslims in Maiduguri
and parts of the North. Then there should be a time limit for ceasefire to gauge government commitment
in keeping to its promise, which cannot be more than 10 years."

Zaid further said that, "What is holding us back is the innocent civilian population, but as soon as people
stay clear from security agents, we will launch a full-scale attack. Unarmed Muslims were picked up from
their homes and from their hospital beds and summarily executed; the world saw it on AlJazeera. Yet, the
same government wants to forgive us for the wrongs they meted on us. In actual sense, we are the ones
that should give amnesty to the Borno State government."

According to him, "We as a group don't kill people who are innocent. What we are trying to tell people is
that, in regaining the pride of the people in Islam, people have to endure in losing their properties and
sometimes lives are also involved and this can fall on everyone, including us."

The statement continues, "This is a government that is not Islamic. Therefore, all its employees-Muslims
and non-Muslims are infidels. This is a government which naturally fights Islam because Muslims were
killed in Zagon Kataf, in Jos and Southern Kaduna but the perpetrators have never been prosecuted based
on the so-called existing laws of the land. Mosques were destroyed and punishment for this is death.
Therefore, we have the right to kill them all. But if there are people who profess Islam and do not take
part in government or western education, their blood and wealth are sacred unless otherwise."

The statement also explained that, "Nobody is asking the Niger Delta militants where they are getting the
weapons, nobody is asking Christians in Jos and Southern Kaduna the source of their funds to buy
weaponry, but they are questioning where we are getting ours! It is very easy to get weaponry in this part
of the world. Each day we look for money through lawful means. We task ourselves and sell our
properties like houses and cars since we are now fugitive and use the proceeds to buy arms."

Sect Expresses Confidence

It added that "We are not in doubt that we are going to win this war. So far, we have an upper hand. Even
if it means bringing external forces, we will fight to win. History has shown that when you are fighting in
the cause of Allah, there will be a divine intervention, which we have so far seen with the ongoing war
with security agents."

"Our cause is purely religious. Muslims should try as much as they can to be neutral. And we are aware
that traditional rulers, religious leaders and house owners, etc are meeting in different parts of the North
on how to undermine our activities and track us down. We urge them to stop; if not, we will turn to their
areas and states."
Saturday Tribune recalls that this same group which have been terrorising Borno

State and creating fear in the mind of the people since the crises of the Boko Haram in 2009 has rejected
the call made by the then Borno Governor elect, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, to dialogue and bring to an end
the sporadic killings in the state.

In an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa service, the group said there was no
way that they could come to term with government which they did not r ec ognise its existence.

The Boko Haram sect has reiterated its determination to establish Sharia Law in Nigeria by waging a
jihad in the North, based on the traditions of the Holy Prophet Mohammed, condemning the present
system of government that does not conform to Islam.

The statement was contained in a Hausa letter posted on the internet by the leader of the sect,
Muhammadu Abubakar Shekau.

The letter reads in part: "We want to reiterate that we are warriors who are carrying out Jihad in Nigeria
and our cause is based on the traditions of the Holy Prophet. We would never believe any system of
government apart from the one agreed by Islam, because we believe that it is the only way that can
liberate the Muslims.

"We do not believe in any system of government, be it traditional or orthodox. That is why we are
fighting against democracy, capitalism, socialism and the rest. We would not allow the Nigerian
Constitution to replace the provisions of the Holy Qur'an; we would not allow adulterated conventional
education (Boko) to replace Islamic teachings.

"We would not respect the Nigerian government because it is illegal. We would continue to fight its
military and the police because they are not protecting Islam. We do not believe in the Nigerian judicial
system and we would fight anybody who assists the government in perpetrating illegalities."

On the serial killings of traditional and religious leaders, the police and soldiers by the feared Islamic sect
members, Shekau said: "All the people that were killed, including ward heads, politicians, the police and
the army have erred, because they are associating themselves with the government in its effort to arrest
our Muslim brothers and sabotage Islam.
"We want to make it clear that we are fighting not just because our mosques and centres of learning were
destroyed, or because our wealth has been seized, or because we were chased out of our houses. No, that
is not the reason. The reason why we are fighting is because our freedom was curtailed."

Shekau further explained that: "From time immemorial, we have been advocating for freedom of worship
and assembly and the need for everybody to believe in Allah. What we have been saying is that people
should jettison modern democracy and embrace Islam as their religion.

"It was while we were propagating Islam that the Federal and the state governments connived with some
Imams and ward heads and attacked us in many states including Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Kaduna
and Kano."

The group maintained that: "We would never be ready to compromise and we don't need any amnesty.
The only solution to what is happening is for the government to repent, jettison democracy and embrace
Islam, dropped the constitution and adopt the laws in the holy Qur'an.

JTF Warns

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force "Operation Restore Order" in Borno in a statement signed by Col. Victor
Ebehaleme and made available to Saturday Tribune has said that the behaviours of some residents in
Maiduguri was unacceptable as some residents willingly allow their surroundings or the frontages of their
houses or purported business places for nefarious activities by people of questionable character.

"Such residents are strongly advised to desist from such acts as the JTF will henceforth take appropriate
actions to protect the general public from such wrongful use. It is to be noted that persons who allow the
use of their surroundings or frontages will be treated as criminals." JTF warns.

According to the statement, owners of makeshift kiosks who allow their kiosks to be used to attack
members of the public or security agencies would be considered as collaborators and treated
appropriately.

Meanwhile, a Second Republic Senator, Chief Joe Funso Obasaju, has called on President Goodluck
Jonathan to sit up and address the insecurity situation in the country before the country sinks further.

Senator Obasaju told Saturday Tribune that it was unfortunate that President Jonathan is the only person
who does not know that Nigeria is on fire, saying the country is burning why the president is gyrating.
He urged the president to stop all the niceties of smiling about and think seriously about the destiny of the
country.

He pointed out that all the unrest, like Boko Haram, Niger Delta militancy, labour imbroglio and spate of
bombings are the fallout of unemployment situation in the country, which he should hurriedly address.

Senator Obasaju advised the president to increase allocation to the state and local governments by at least
3 to 5 per cent, adding that this would go a long way in settling some problems in the country.

He further councelled the president not to in anyway allow the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to go on
strike, noting that this would spell doom for the country at this particular time.

South-South Meets

Disturbed by the spectre of violence in some parts of Nigeria and other myriads of problems confronting
the nation, elders and leaders of the South-South, under the auspices of the South-South Peoples
Assembly (SSPA) gathered in Benin City on Friday with a view to finding solutions to the challenges.

The SSPA led by its chairman and first civilian governor of Edo state, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,
expressed their support for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, and stressed the need to
tackle the insecurity, particularly the issue of Boko Haram in the interest of the unity of the nation.

Other leaders of the zone at the one day workshop with the theme, "Towards Building a New Nigeria",
included the leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee; former
Inspector General of the Police, Mike Okiro; Air Commodore Ndongesit Nkanga (rtd), Alabo Graham-
Douglas and a host of others.

Chief Oyegun, in his address, said the workshop was informed by the need for the leaders of the zone to
generate workable ideas that will guide " our interaction with the new federal administration headed by
our son, President Goodluck Jonathan."

According to him, "This becomes imperative when we discover that whereas four years is like four weeks
in the life of a nation. Strictly speaking, our son has only three effective years to impact on the lives of
Nigerians and leave behind indelible positive footprints in the sand of time.
"Consequently, there is a critical need for the selective prioritisation of the myriad of challenges facing
government such that meaningful accomplishment in line with the administration's transformation agenda
can be achieved. While addressing the national question for national integration, development and
transformation, it may be pertinent to state that the satisfaction of the aspiration of the people of the
South-South remains fundamental and relevant to our quest for national rebirth."

Oyegun added that, "Whereas this administration has no doubt made very bold strides in making real the
peace that was somewhat elusive in the Niger-Delta region, however, the success the amnesty programme
has so far achieve could become mere palliative without addressing the fundamental concerns that ignited
the crisis in the first place. Therefore, to make the peace sustainable and enduring should also be a
cardinal preoccupation this workshop should address."

A communiqué is expected at the end of the meeting.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Army, Islamic Sect Members Clash Reportedly Claims 30 Lives in Borno

AFP20110711565002 Lagos This Day Online in English 10 Jul 11

[Report by Michael Olugbode: "Borno : 30 Feared Killed in JTF/Boko Haram Crossfire"]

No fewer than 30 persons are feared dead as soldiers and members of the Islamic fundamentalist group,
Boko Haram, engaged in gun battle in Maiduguri, Borno state capital on Saturday night though the
residents claimed that over 30 persons were killed by the soldiers who they alleged went into their homes,
brought out people and shot them, the Joint Task Force on its part claimed only 11 persons who are
members of the fundamentalist group were killed in a gun duel.

The JTF also in a statement signed by its spokesman, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, revealed that two soldiers
were also injured in the shootout.

Thisday gathered that as a result of the battle which was on through Saturday night, residents of Kalari
area in Maiduguri are packing out en masse. Some of the fleeing residents of Kalari who spoke with
newsmen on Sunday said there had been massive killing of innocent civilians during the rampage which
accounted for the death of well over 30 persons mostly male.

According to them, some angry soldiers, who after the attack on them by the members of the Boko-haram
sect, attacked many households and many people including an academic staff of University of Maiduguri,
were killed by gun shots, while several houses and cars belonging to the residents were burnt to ashes.

But in a press release issued from the headquarters of the JTF code named 'Operation Restore Order
(ORO) ', the buildings that got burnt down were destroyed by the bombs detonated by the Boko-haram
members.

The release from the JTF reads; "The TJF ORO in Borno state wishes to once again draw the attention of
the general public to the danger of allowing residential and business premises to be used by members of
outlawed Boko Haram sect as was experienced in London-chiki Saturday. "At about 7:30pm, a patrol
team of the JTF was attacked at Kalarin in London Chiki area of Maiduguri metropolis with Improvised
Explosive Devices (IED) and several gunshots from a Bus parked at a building.

The attack was successfully repelled by members of the JTF and 11 members of the sect killed while two
members of the JTF were injured. Some buildings and vehicles were however destroyed by the IED.

"The JTF is aware that some members of the general public have prior information on attacks on security
agencies and willingly allow their premises to be used for such act without reporting to the security
agencies. The public is again reminded of the implication of such collaboration as it will be dealt with
appropriately. "In a related development, an IED targeted at patrol vehicles of JTF this morning exploded
around Ramat square area. Some of the items used have been recovered by the JTF and investigation is
ongoing. However, no casualty was recorded.

"The JTF wishes to assure the general public of its commitment to restoring order in the state and urges
law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses.
One of the residents of Kalari, Mallam Yau, told reporters that "we could not sleep last night because of
the bomb blast and gunshots; many people have been killed that I cannot give the number now, many
houses and cars have been set ablaze during the battle by some people we saw wearing military
uniforms."

"We have seen death, we have seen blood-letting and many of us have left since early Sunday morning.
We are in pains; we are between the devil and the deep blue sea, because neither the Boko-haram nor the
JTF are making our lives safe here," he added. When our correspondent visited the scene of the
destruction alongside other journalists, the scenes of the attacks were seen with several burnt vehicles and
houses at different locations of the area. The residents told them that they were set ablaze because they
were far away from the spot where the soldiers had battle with the fundamentalists on Saturday night.

Another resident, an aged woman, who spoke to newsmen along the Kalari village told newsmen that one
Adamu Abdullahi, a staff of the University of Maiduguri whose burnt house was still smoking as at the
time of the visit, was killed when he was "trying to turn back upon sighting his house on fire.'

Pointing at the deceased car, she said: "His car which is over there hit the wall of the house of his
neighbor, then he was shot and his car set ablaze. His corpse was not picked by the soldiers until this
morning, when his relatives came and carry it".

As at the time of filing this report Sunday night, over 2000 residents of kalari and some in other parts of
London-Chiki have deserted the area, leaving their houses under locks and keys. Maryam Habu, an
indigene of Gwoza local government area of Borno state, who was sighted dragging two of her kids out of
the embattled area said "we are on our way to our village now; this madness is enough".

On Sunday many churches could not hold services as armed soldiers ordered worshippers to return back
to their homes as some major streets were condoned off as gunshots were held throughout town on
Sunday morning.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]
Nigeria: People Flee Borno Capital Following Army Action To Tackle Islamic Sect

AFP20110712581009 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0405 GMT 12 Jul 11

[Report by Hamza Idris and Yahaya Ibrahim: "Thousands Flee Maiduguri - Boko Haram Threatens
Unimaid - Varsity Shuts Down - JTF Explains Mission"]

People were leaving the Borno State capital in droves yesterday following weekend's scorched-earth
policy launched by the Nigeria Army to uproot the Boko Haram insurgency that has crippled the city with
targeted assassinations and near-indiscriminate bomb attacks.

When our reporters visited various motor parks in Maiduguri yesterday, hundreds of people were seen
trying to board vehicles to leave the town, a situation compounded by the shortage of commercial
vehicles plying the Maiduguri route. Among the fleeing people were immigrants from neighbouring
Niger, Chad and Cameroon who said they wanted to go back to their countries because of the prevailing
situation.

Also yesterday, authorities of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) directed all its students to go
home following the indefinite suspension of academic activities on the campus as a result of what the
authorities described as "the security situation" in Borno State. Students were expected to commence their
first semester examinations on the 15th of August, but the students have been directed to vacate the
campus latest by 12noon today (Tuesday).

A statement signed by Malam Ahmed Mohammed, Unimaid's Chief Information Officer said the decision
to close the university was reached after a meeting of the Committee of Provosts, Deans and Directors, on
behalf of the University Senate. "The meeting took place today (yesterday) and was chaired by the Vice
Chancellor of the University, Professor Mala and it was resolved that the institution should be closed until
security situation improves," Ahmed said.

Daily Trust reports in the last three days, speculations were rife in the university community that
members of the Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunnati Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, popularly called Boko Haram, had sent a
letter to Unimaid's Muslim students directing them to vacate the campus because of an imminent attack
on its strategic buildings.

A student of the university said, "The letter was also pasted on popular buildings like the El-Kanemi Hall.
It directed Muslims to vacate the university because the Senate building (popularly known as Abuja), the
exams and records building and other vital departments will be bombed."

Rumours also spread on the campus alleging that a female student was recently caught with an explosive
at the gates of the university, but a credible source debunked the claim.

When contacted on phone yesterday, Unimaid's spokesman said "authorities have made it clear that
learning and scholarship will be more rewarding when students and teachers are free. There is restriction
of movement in Maiduguri and most of our students are staying off campus...as soon as the situation
improves, normal academic activities would resume."

However, spokesman of the Yusufiyya Movement Abu Zaid told Daily Trust yesterday that the group did
not send any "warning letter" to the university, adding that there was no plan to attack Unimaid's campus.
He said, "Let me make it categorically clear that we are not targeting the University of Maiduguri. Our
aim is to establish Sharia system under an Islamic government and then sanitize the whole system,
including education." He also said, "The letter must be the handiwork of some people but it is definitely
not from us."

One of the letters dated 10th July, 2011 which was written in English and pasted at the walls of the
university, had no address or the name of the signatory. The only thing written on top of the letter was
"Boko Haram, Central Boden Maiduguri." Our correspondent reports this was anomalous because almost
Boko Haram's correspondences are written in Hausa and Arabic.

Responding to the closure of the university, spokesman of the JTF Colonel Victor Ebhaleme said it was
"abrupt and unnecessary". According to him, the university authority was heating the polity because there
are no verifiable reasons to think the institution was a target.

On their part, students of the university said they received the announcement with mixed feelings.
President of the st udents union government (SUG) Musa Terrang said he hopes the action taken will be
in the best interest of the students. Fatima Sa'idu, a business administration student said "I am personally
happy with the action taken by the university because we have been living under fear. In the last forty
days, I have not been concentrating because whenever I heard a blast, it takes me long to recover."
Our correspondents who visited Borno Express Terminus, Kano Motor Park and Tashar Joni saw
hundreds of men, women and children struggling to catch any available vehicle so as to leave the town.
Most of them are artisans, housewives, farmers, hawkers, petty traders, okada riders as well as students
and teachers of Islamic schools (Tsangaya). They said they had to leave Maiduguri "for fear of the
unknown".

Musa Dan Kamisho, one of the agents at Borno Express who was seen helping the fleeing people to
secure vehicles, said most of the Maiduguri residents were moving towards Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe,
Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Zaria, Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Though transport fares were not increased at the state-owned transport company, there was noticeable
shortage of vehicles as people were seen waiting. "I would remain until the next bus comes because I
don't know what will happen if I go back to our house in the town," Hajara Sama'ila, a mother of four
said.

She said her husband brought her to Maiduguri from Misau in Bauchi State. "Unfortunately we didn't see
him in the last one week and there is no way we can continue to live here without him. I pray Almighty
Allah will restore peace here so that we can come back," she said.

Most of the people interviewed said they were living in suburbs like London Ciki, Gwozari, Platari,
Zannari, Koleri, and Gonar Adon -Kolo in the state capital. "I saw more than thirty articulated vehicles
fully loaded with people, animals and luggage leaving Maiduguri today," Musa Maina, who said he was
heading towards Sokoto, said. "I and my family will remain at the park until we get a vehicle," he said.

According to him, "We are really having a complex situation here, the people are under siege. I want to
plead with all those that have conscience to talk. The problem in Maiduguri is beyond the comprehension
of man but that does not mean that the state should be treated as a pariah state."

Some of the fleeing people said the mass exodus was because of the dimension the security situation has
taken in recent days. It would be recalled that following a bomb blast at Kaleri London Ciki, many people
were reportedly killed and houses burnt, allegedly by members of the Joint Task Force.

But commander of the JTF Major General Jack Nwaogbo while responding to the allegations yesterday
said that his men were not responsible for the mass exodus. He said, "Even before the military came here,
people were leaving. The fact is that soldiers are not animals who will be killing people indiscriminately."
He said the soldiers, who were in Maiduguri to restore peace and order were not targeting civilians.
"Security is a collective responsibility because the military cannot do it alone. We need the cooperation of
everybody to succeed," he said.

Daily Trust also learnt yesterday that most of the people fleeing from Maiduguri were intercepted along
the Borno/Yobe border, where soldiers and policemen had set up che3ck points to screen the fleeing
people.

Ibrahim Farinloye, the spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the
agency was inundated with several phone calls from the people that were "intercepted".

"Yes, we heard of the development and at our own level we have mobilized our men to the place with
water and few other basic things," he said.

As at the time of filing this report last night, our reporters could not reach the commander of the JTF. He
did not respond to a phone call. There was also no official statement from the Borno State government.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Ethnic Group Condemns Violent Activities of Islamic Sect

AFP20110713598013 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2240 GMT 12 Jul 11

[Unattributed report: "Tackle Boko Haram Now, Igbo Group Tells Govt"]
Condemnation has also come for the Boko Haram sect from the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) over the
former's violent activities in parts of the country.

It urged the government to take decisive steps to stop Boko Haram on its tracks.

The group also called on every Nigerian to condemn the actions of group, saying, "it is not proper for
anybody or group to go about killing and bombing fellow citizens and cause destruction of properties in
the name of religion.

"If the group has any genuine thing which it agitates for, it should engage dialogue rather than violence
because no religious leader will advise the faithful to use violence to achieve their goals... it must be
through dialogue and not war because violence does no good to anybody."

The NUF said if it was economic deprivation that pushed the Boko Haram sect into violence, "what the
Igbo who have been marginalised since the end of the Civil War in 1970 till date... do they go out and
bomb the country to agitate for better basic amenities that other geo-political zones are enjoying?

"Both military and civilian administrations have perfected the act of treating the Igbo with disdain,
promising to redress the imbalance in the distribution of the common wealth that has always been skewed
against the zone, only to worsen the deprivation that has been the lot of the people.

"Their area was plundered and laid waste by Nigerian soldiers during the Civil War between 1967 and
1970. Today, there is no meaningful development in the South-East. We bear it without taking arms and
bombs to kill or destroy anybody or government properties and other strategic areas.

"But now the northern leaders are pointing at the economic angle as reason for this group which is doing
everything possible to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan."

It therefore called on the Federal Government to equip the police and other security agencies to tackle this
"terrorist group whose demand is total madness and something that should not be given a second thought.
Nigeria is a secular state, so nobody or group can turn it into an Islamic country as demanded by this
terrorist which called itself Boko Haram."

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]
Nigeria: Radical Islamic Sect Dares Soldiers

AFP20110713686004 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 13 Jul 11 p 3

[Report by Uju Amuta: "Soldiers are Cowards, Says Boko Haram"]

Boko Haram hurled some verbal missiles at the military task force yesterday. It described soldiers
deployed to keep the peace in Maiduguri, as cowards.

The group vowed to attack the army and warned army chief Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, saying he should ask
Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim what happened after he boasted that he would defeat Boko
Haram.

The group accused the Joint Task Force [JTF] of carrying out massacre and destruction of innocent
people’s property.

Borno elders also yesterday called for the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers from Maiduguri. It
accused them of terrorizing the people and committing rape. They said well-trained policemen should be
deployed as replacement.

But in Abuja, the Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF] endorsed the military action against Boko Haram.
Members of the Jamaátu Ahlis- Sunnah-Lil-daáwatti wal jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, in a
statement signed by Abu Zaid and circulated to newspapers in Maiduguri yesterday, accused soldiers of
hiding behind women and children.

They said this move portrays the soldiers as weak, vulnerable and confused. They challenged the army to
relocate to their barracks, remove their families, and wait to see whether they would not be attacked.

Zaid said: "If you have the capacity to fight us, return to your barracks, remove your children and wives
and see if we will not confront you within hours."

In the statement written in Hausa and Arabic, Abu Zaid alleged that the recent attack on the innocent and
destruction of their property is a sign that "you are weak, ungodly and fearful". He criticized a statement
credited to the Chief of Army Staff that Boko Haram members are cowards. "We want to tell the Chief of
Army Staff, General Ihejirika, that cowards don’t engage a military in a duel as we did in your barracks
and on the streets of Maiduguri. But cowards are those who attack women, children in their sleep and
who burn the innocent property," the statement said.

Zaid said attacks on military barracks would continue to prove Boko Haram’s capacity to the army chief.

His words: "We have attacked you in your barracks in the past and, God willing, we will do it again very
soon.

"You attacked us first in Maiduguri and then in Bauchi where you killed innocent lives who were holding
nothing, and now you are busy killing the innocent in Maiduguri and destroying their property. If this is
not cowardice, what else is?

"We consider your description of us as cowards as an affront that will not be left unreplied and we want
to remind you to ask the Inspector General of Police what the punishment of his boast was."

Abu Zaid described the attack on the registrar of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University [ATBU] and his
wife by the army as another sign of the weakness of the army.

The ACF yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the
organization offered possible solutions to the spate of bombings in parts of the country.

Chairman of the ACF, General Jerimiah Useni (Rtd), a former minister of the FCT, who spoke to state
house correspondents after the meeting, said the organization condemns in strong terms violence in
whatever form. He said they were at the Villa to congratulate President Jonathan and to discuss very
serious national issues bothering on security. "We feel that we should come as a group to greet him and
give him our respect. In my speech to both the president and his vice, I touched on the issue of insecurity
and that we as an organization condemn violence in whatever form, and our position is that we should
always try to seek redress through normal processes," he said.

The ACF chairman said that they also met with Vice President Namadi Sambo to discuss similar issues.

Vice President Sambo, according to General Useni, assured that government was doing everything
possible to arrest the situation.

He said the ACF has agreed to instruct some of its members, who have been trained in security matters, to
work closely with government in combating the spate of bombings. " We have agreed that there are
Nigerians even within ACF that have been trained in security matters and we, as a group, will send a
small team to come and discuss with him and find out the best thing we think can be done to handle the
problem."

He continued; " it is not enough to be issuing statements like "Boko Haram your days are numbered or
Boko Haram you are this or that, we need to look at it in-depth.

One of the solutions to the present crisis is good governance at state, local and federal levels.

He said the Boko Haram issue started like a Borno affair but now it is becoming a national problem. "I
remember when I was the deputy national chairman of the All Nigeria peoples party [ANPP], I went to
the state to commission some projects and when we were driving along one of the major streets, I saw
young boys selling petrol in jerry cans and I asked the governor, why did he allow them to be selling on a
major road like that, and he said, "no, no, leave them, they are very useful, general elections, we can use
them" General Useni narrated.

General Useni insisted that members of the Boko Harram were used in the just concluded general
elections. "No matter how good a government at the top is, some politicians at the state and local
government will renege on their duties and divert public funds meant for infrastructural development to
fund their political ambition," he noted.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]

Nigeria: Army Chief Explains Non Arrest on Sect Leaders

AFP20110713686008 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 12 Jul 11 p 1

[Unattributed report: "Army Chief Bemoans Lack of Information"]

The Chief of Army Staff [COAS] Lt. General Azubike Ihejirika yesterday identified lack of information
as the reason for the failure of security agencies to arrest leaders of Boko Haram.

The Army chief spoke in Ibadan at the opening of a three-day workshop on civil-military affairs held at
the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.

He described as unfortunate the situation in which the people have refused to give genuine information
that could lead to the arrest of members of Boko Haram.

Gen Ihejirika said in spite of this drawback, the army was up to the task. He assured Nigerians that Boko
Haram would soon be crushed.

He said people have refused to give information about the sect because of the fear of reprisal.
He recalled that some people in the past who volunteered information to security operatives which led to
the arrest of some suspected criminals were later traced to their houses and killed. He said information
given would be treated with confidentiality.

Gen Ihejirika was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army,
Major General Muhammad Abubakar.

He said it was pertinent for the military to build on professionalism with emphasis on creating an enabling
environment to foster cordial relationship between the civil and military institutions.

He said the military needs a complete re-orientation to mitigate these challenges, saying that the interface
between the civil society and the military could not be severed as both depend on each other.

The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Bitrus Kwaji, said the objective of the program is to
enhance the credibility and integrity of the Nigerian Army as a strategic conflict mediator and resolution
stakeholders and to promote cordial civil-military relations.

The University of Maiduguri has been closed down indefinitely as a result of the insecurity caused by the
activities of Boko Haram.

Registrar Alhaji Babagana Aji, said the decision to close down the institution was taken yesterday by the
Senate of the university.

He said the university will only reopen when the security situation in Maiduguri improves.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]

Boko Haram Vows To 'Continue' Attacks on Military Bases

FEA20110713019845 - OSC Feature - Daily Trust Online 2300 GMT 12 Jul 11

[Report by Hamza Idris and Yahaya Ibrahim: "Boko Haram Accuses Army of Genocide in Maiduguri"]

The army is carrying out massacre and destruction of innocent people's properties in Maiduguri, members
of the Jama'atu Ahlis- sunnah- Lid-da'awati wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram alleged in a
statement yesterday.

The group also described a story credited to the Chief of Army staff General Azubuike Ihejirika that the
group are cowards as an irony.

The statement signed by the spokesman of the group, Abu Zaid, further accused the army of hiding
behind women and children to kill innocent civilians; a move the group said only exposes the army as
weak, vulnerable and confused.

Zaid also challenged the army to relocate back to their barracks, remove their wives and children to safer
locations and see if the group will not confront the army for a showdown.

According to the statement which was written in Hausa, the group said "If you (army) have the capacity
to fight us, return to your barracks, remove your children and wives and see if we will not confront you
within hours.
"The recent indiscriminate attack on the innocent and destruction of their property in Maiduguri is a sign
that you are weak, ungodly and fearful," the statement said.

"We want to tell the Chief of Army Staff General Ihejerika that cowards don't engage a military in a duel
as we did in your barracks and on the streets of Maiduguri. But cowards are those who attack women,
children in their sleeps and who burn the innocent's property," he said.

He further assured that the group will soon continue with their attacks on military barracks to prove their
capacity to the chief of army staff.

"We have attacked you in your barracks in the past, and God willing, we will do it again very soon", the
statement added.

Abu Zaid further reminded the army that it was their cowardice that led to an attack on members of the
movement during a funeral procession at the Gwange cemetery and in Bauchi where their members were
killed defenselessly.

"You attacked us. First in Maiduguri and then in Bauchi where you killed innocent lives who were
holding nothing, and now you are busy killing the innocent in Maiduguri and destroying their property. If
this is not cowardice, what else is it?

"We consider your description of us as cowards as an affront that will not be left un-replied and we want
to remind you to ask the Inspector General of Police what the punishment of the boastful is," he said.

Abu Zaid also referred to an attack on the registrar of ATBU and his wife by the army as another sign of
the weakness of the army, adding that the army will soon be dealt with in a ruthless and courageous
manner.

Another statement quoted Mohammed Shekau, the overall leader of the group, saying the people of Borno
must understand that the house to house search launched by the JTF was meant to kill innocent people.

"It is not the people that live in the town that are fighting the military and therefore why the sudden
invasion into the privacy of civilians?
"We want to warn that if soldiers did not withdraw from Maiduguri within two days, we would confront
them. We want to advice the civilians to look safer place and stay," the statement said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Former Borno State Governor Denies Link With Islamic Sect

AFP20110714565005 Lagos Business Day Online in English 1558 GMT 13 Jul 11

[Report by Horatius Egua: "Sherriff Denies Link With Boko Haram; Says he was Not Quizzed by SSS"]

Immediate past governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sherriff, Wednesday denied any link with the Boko
Haram sect, saying former Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni's claims were unfortunate and out of tune.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents, shortly after a meeting with President Goodluck
Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Sheriff also denied being quizzed by the state security service
(SSS).

He told reporters that he was actually the one who called the director general of the SSS for an
appointment to see him and not the other way around.

"There is no responsible government in Borno State or Nigeria that will allow a young man carrying arms
to sell on the street. So, that report is most unfortunate and I am surprised that somebody like Useni will
make public statements like this because of his age. I respect him and I also believe that he should always
be cautious when speaking in public, otherwise the age he has earned and the position he has earned
would be in question".
Debunking the story further, Sheriff said: "He said he saw people selling petrol on major streets of
Maiduguri. But the NNPC depot in Maiduguri did not receive petrol from the Kaduna refinery for over 15
years and marketers go to Kaduna and Lagos, get petrol and people buy it and sell. So, innocent people
cannot be Boko Haram".

"Boko Haram and these boys selling petrol are two different things. In any case, I did not even introduce
the sale of petrol in jerry cans in Borno State. It has been in existence before I came. If all the past
military and civilian governors in Borno State did not ban the sale of petrol outside petroleum stations,
why should I come and ban people who are legitimately earning a living?"

[Description of Source: Lagos Business Day Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
Nigerian online business news portal; URL: http://www.businessdayonline.com]

Nigerian Islamists Say no Ceasefire Until Troops Withdrawn from North

AFP20110714646003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2158 GMT 13 Jul 11

["Nigerian Islamists say no ceasefire until troops withdrawn" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, July 13, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian Islamists blamed for a raft of bombings will not halt
their attacks unless troops are withdrawn from the epicentre of the violence, a man claiming to be their
spokesman said Wednesday.

"We can cease fire if soldiers are withdrawn from Maiduguri because there is no way we can accept any
peace deal when thousands of soldiers are being deployed to the city," Abu Zaid told journalists on a
conference call.
"If government is really sincere in the restoration of peace, let all soldiers from the streets go back to the
barracks."

President Goodluck Jonathan has deployed hundreds of troops to the northeastern city of Maiduguri,
which has seen the brunt of the violence blamed on a sect known as Boko Haram.

Thousands of residents have fled the city, fearing more violence linked to Islamist attacks and soldiers'
response.

Troops were accused of targeting civilians last weekend and burning their homes after accusing them of
complicity with the sect, which the military denies.

The state government in Borno, where Maiduguri is the capital, issued a statement on Wednesday
pledging that military operations would be conducted responsibly.

"Adequate measures have now been taken by government to ensure that security operations would
henceforth be undertaken with a human face and with absolute respect for the freedom of movement ...,"
it said.

Bomb blasts and shootings blamed on the sect have intensified in recent weeks and now occur almost
daily. The group has claimed to be fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state.

Nigeria is roughly divided in half between Christians and Muslims.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria Leaders, Military Trade Accusations Over Alleged Killings in Borno State

AFP20110715581011 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0404 GMT 15 Jul 11

[Report by Hamza Idris and Yahaya Ibrahim: "Borno Elders, JTF Trade Blames"]

Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought (BELT), a group of eighteen prominent people in Borno State
yesterday traded accusations with the leaders of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code named Operation
Restore Order over the alleged killing of innocent young men and raping of married women and young
girls by soldiers as a fall out of the new security measures now in force in Maiduguri.

While the JTF insisted that all the people that were killed at Kaleri London Ciki last Saturday during a
raid following a bomb blast were members of the Yusufiyya movement, popularly called Boko Haram,
the BELT said the people killed were innocent civilians and not sect members.

In a separate statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri yesterday, the JTF debunked claims made by
BELT that soldiers have also raped innocent women, saying that they have arrested the actual people that
carried out the nefarious act.

The JTF statement, signed by Colonel Victor Ebhaleme on behalf of the commander, Major General Jack
Nwaogbo said, "The JTF wishes to draw the attention of the public over some allegations against its
personnel in some national dailies. One of such allegations was that hundreds of youth have been shot and
killed by soldiers for no known reason other than they are youth. This allegation is not true as those killed
were members of the Boko Haram sect as was experienced during the recent attack (at Kaleri)."

It added that "the JTF wishes to reiterate that its members are professionals and are in the state to restore
peace and order. On the issue of rape, the JTF wishes to state categorically that no member is involved in
such act as claimed.

The cordon and search carried out are properly supervised by members of all security agencies. This
(allegation) is the handiwork of sponsors, sympathizers and members of the sect aimed at discrediting the
task force so as to have a field day to operate."
The JTF spokesman also exonerated members of the task force on the allegation of raping married
women and girls. He said, "Some youths that were responsible for raping women have been reported and
arrested with the assistance of people in Gwange area and are currently in our custody while one (of the
rapists) was seriously beaten by the people and admitted at UMTH."

He also said the call for the withdrawal of the JTF was a misnomer. "Those calling for the withdrawal of
the JTF are advised to appeal to the conscience of the sect members to give peace a chance as they are in
constant contact with them," Colonel Ebhaleme said.

But in their statement yesterday, the BELT, under the chairmanship of Shettima Ali Monguno, insisted
that the JTF had done more harm than good in Maiduguri.

According to their statement, "the attention of this committee has been drawn to a widely circulated press
release by the spokesman of the JTF in Maiduguri. The statement was to the effect that the spokesman of
the soldiers was denying the involvement of their men in the mass killing of innocent people and
destruction of houses, vehicle among others.

"This committee will want to re-echo its stand and state without an iota of doubt that the soldiers have
engaged themselves in extra judicial killing of people and other ungodly acts unbecoming of their role as
those who are supposed to safeguard the lives, property and dignity of Nigerians."

It added that "We have incontrovertible evidence to prove our claims. For example even at the most
recent incident at Kaleri over 40 persons were killed while the Task Force claimed they killed only eleven
as if the eleven human beings are nothing. So many houses and cars were burnt."

Last Tuesday, JTF said it killed 3 members of the Boko Haram who allegedly tossed a bomb at soldiers
along Baga Road. But witnesses said the JTF killed four innocent people who were on their way to the
farm.

The BELT therefore said, "In any case, the affected communities are there and the remnants of items
destroyed are also there. These are very easy to assess and verify. The commu nities affected know who
did the damages. Those fleeing Maiduguri are still alive to give evidence. It is very unfortunate that the
JTF has been trying to justify their unacceptable and outrageous acts instead of showing remorse and
checking the excesses of their men.

"Once again we demand for the immediate withdrawal of all soldiers on the streets of Maiduguri. To do
otherwise would mean the intent to destroy the city of Maiduguri," the group said.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Xinhua: Over 40,000 Residents Flee Nigeria's Restive City: Military

CPP20110716968041 Beijing Xinhua in English 1016 GMT 16 Jul 11

[Xinhua: "Over 40,000 Residents Flee Nigeria's Restive City: Military"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 40,000 residents have fled a northeastern Nigerian
city in less than one week amid the worsening security situation in the state, according to the military.

The bustling capital of Maiduguri in Borno State has been deserted, a military source told Xinhua on
Friday on condition of anonymity.

The violent activities of the Boko Haram sect forced the state government to evacuate local residents, he
added.

He said bank, shops, schools and some market places have been shot down in the city with a population
of 1.2 million.

"Most of the residents relocated to nearby states and some moved to their state of origin," the military
officer told Xinhua.
The exodus was coupled with a bombing attack on Friday on a police patrol van on routine exercise,
injuring five policemen.

The explosion occurred at about 8 a.m. local time. There was no death, according to the spokesperson and
operations officer for the Joint Task Force (JTF), Victor Ehbeleme.

He said arrests were made, but declined to confirm if the suspects were all Boko Haram sect members.

Another source in the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told Xinhua that most of the
residents have fled the state capital.

Maiduguri has been hit by almost daily bomb blasts, shootings and serial killings in recent weeks blamed
on the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram, which launched an uprising in 2009.

Boko Haram is an Islamic fundamentalist group pursuing the doctrine of hatred for Western form of
civilization with the force of arms, including bombs, to propagate the mission.

More than 50 persons, mostly security personnel, have so far been killed by suspected Boko Haram
militants since July 2009, when they launched attacks on individuals.

[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency)]

Ethnic Group Calls On Nigerian Government To Declare Emergency in Borno State

AFP20110716598005 Lagos This Day Online in English 16 Jul 11

[Report by Kunle Akogun, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode and John Shiklam: "Boko Haram: Igbo
Leaders Demand State of Emergency"]

The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Friday called on the Federal Government to
declare a state of emergency in Borno State in order to checkmate the security threat posed by the Boko
Haram insurgency.

Boko Haram, an extremist Islamic group, has virtually brought Borno State to a standstill, following
series of bomb attacks targeting security agents and civilians.

The call for the imposition of a state of emergency in Borno State came on the day a fresh explosion by
the extremist group injured five policemen in Maiduguri.

Lawmakers from the state, however, said in a statement that the use of force was not the solution to the
crisis.

The Igbo leaders said following the receipt of a number of distress calls from their people in Borno on the
deteriorating security situation there, an emergency meeting of Ime-Obi (Elders Council) of Ohanaeze
Ndigbo was held and the decision to call for a state of emergency was adopted.

"We call on the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, to as a matter of urgency declare a state of
emergency in Borno State. This will in effect allow federal authorities to directly handle the situation on
ground," they said.

The Igbo leaders criticised the activities of Boko Haram and their collaborators "who have owned up to
the series of bombings in Maiduguri, Bauchi, Kaduna, Suleja, Abuja and other parts of Northern Nigeria
and for the senseless killing of innocent Nigerians and destruction of public and private properties."

They urged members of the extremist group to stop forthwith the spate of bombings and embrace
dialogue and other legal means in expressing their grievances.

"We call on the federal government and the military authorities to ensure that the lives of innocent
Nigerians and especially the Igbos, who incidentally have the next largest population in Borno State after
the indigenes, are protected and their properties protected from organised and unorganised looting," added
Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Some of the prominent Igbo leaders who signed the statement were former Anambra State governor, Dr.
Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Chairman, Ime-Obi Ohanaeze FCT, Eze Ibe Nwosu; Chairman, Ohaneze FCT,
Barrister Calistus Nwabueze Obi; former Minister of Education, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike,
(representing Abia State); former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe,
(representing Anambra); Prof. Fred Onyeoziri and Chief Silas Ilo (representing Anambra State).

Also, the Northern Christian leaders in a statement in Kaduna signed by its chairman, Evangelist Matthew
Owojaiye, expressed concern over the activities of the Islamic sect.

The statement called on the government to take concrete and decisive steps to fish out those behind the
bomb blasts and bring them to book.

According to NOCEF, Nigeria belongs to Christians, Muslims and traditionalists, stressing that no group
should impose its religious beliefs on others by whatever means.

Friday's explosion in Maiduguri occurred at the Bulumkutu area within the metropolis.

The explosion, which happened at about 8 am, further heightened tension in the town and caused people
to scamper for safety.

An eyewitness said the explosion damaged some vehicles, which were driving past at that time.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the state, Colonel
Victor Ebhaleme, told newsmen on phone that the bomb was targeted at a police patrol vehicle, which
was on routine duty in the area.

According to him, the bomb injured five policemen who were immediately rushed to the University of
Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for treatment.

Ebhaleme also revealed that some arrests were made in connection with the incident. He added that the
people would be interrogated and anybody found to be innocent would be released immediately.
The plight of the remaining residents of Maiduguri was worsened Friday as all the banks in town have
been closed down.

The instruction for their closure, it was gathered, was given from their head-offices over fears that they
would be attacked by the fundamentalists.

Meanwhile, for the first time since the escalation of the Boko Haram uprising in Borno State, members of
the state caucus at the National Assembly have added their voice to the debate over the propriety or
otherwise of the military operation in the state capital.

They said the use of brute force cannot curb the menace.

Addressing journalists after a meeting of the caucus, their spokesman, Senator Maina Maaji Lawan
(ANPP, Borno North), maintained that the only solution to the problem is "unconditional amnesty for and
dialogue with the group" that has thrown the state capital and some parts of the country into panic in the
last couple of months.

Lawan, who was with two other senators and three members of the House of Representatives from the
state, said the federal government should rethink its strategy for bringing an end to the Boko Haram
menace the same way it resolved the militancy saga in the Niger Delta, which he said was not by military
operation but by dialogue and the amnesty programme.

With Lawan at the press briefing were Senators Ali Ndume (PDP, Borno South) and Ahmed Zanna
(ANPP, Borno Central) as well as House of Representatives members - Amina Khadi (Jere), Mukhtar
Aliyu (Biu) and Kyari Gujubawu (Maiduguri).

Lawan said: "If the US with all its technology and superior arms power was forced to engage in dialogue
with the Talibans, we could see that brute force cannot be a solution to this situation."

While urging President Jonathan to order the immediate withdrawal of the military from Maiduguri and
its environs, Lawan, who is the immediate past Senate Minority Leader, said the federal government
should "honestly and purposely and sincerely engage in dialogue with the Boko Haram people."

He lamented that since the beginning of the military operations in Maiduguri, "innocent citizens who
know nothing about the Boko Haram are the ultimate victims of the military crackdown," saying "Borno
is in a state of complete siege."
He said it's unfortunate that institutions of state whose operatives are being sustained by the taxes of the
people are the ones killing the same people who they are established to protect.

Wondering why the JTF should go about "indiscriminately shooting innocent youths under the guise of
looking for Boko Haram," Lawan recalled that a similar situation occurred in Odi and some other Bayelsa
communities where houses were ransacked, innocent people killed and whole villages devastated in the
guise of looking for militants."

The third term senator said members of the Borno Caucus in the National Assembly had been
circumspect in commenting publicly on the situation in their state because of their strong belief that the
situation could be peacefully brought under control.

He said they could, however, no longer continue to keep quiet as "the situation is deteriorating by the day
and causing untold hardship on innocent citizens".

The Borno National Assembly Caucus, however, disclosed that it would conduct an on the spot
assessment to ascertain the extent of damage to lives and property as a result of the Boko Haram crisis.

Meanwhile, it emerged Friday night that at least 25 people were killed and many others reported missing
during a Nigerian military raid after a bomb blast blamed on Boko Haram, a statement from Amnesty
International said.

The statement referred to an incident last weekend in Maiduguri, which has seen a wave of attacks
attributed to the Islamist sect and where hundreds of troops have been deployed.

"In Kaleri Ngomari Custain, in Maiduguri, on Saturday 9 July at least 25 people were killed and at least
45 wounded, including women and children, when the Joint Military Task Force cordoned off a bomb site
and went from house to house, shooting and arresting people living in the area," the organisation said.

"Many men and boys have been reported missing. According to eyewitnesses, the security forces burnt
down several houses, forcing their occupants to flee."

The military had reported 11 dead in the wake of the incident, saying all were members of Boko Haram.
Residents alleged that soldiers shot civilians and burnt down houses, but the military denied targeting
innocent people.
"Reports say members of the security forces have repeatedly threatened to shoot everyone in the area if
they failed to tip them off about future bombs," Amnesty said.

"As a results, thousands of people living in Maiduguri have already left the city, and many more continue
to do so.

"Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian government to investigate the killings and bring to justice
anyone found responsible for these heinous crimes.

"Allegations of rape of women by members of the Joint Task Force should also be investigated."

The military has also denied the rape allegations.

Amnesty said more than 140 people have been killed by Boko Haram bombings in Nigeria's north since
January.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Attack Police Vehicle in Borno State

AFP20110716598010 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 15 Jul 11

[Report by John-Abba Ogbodo, Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Hendrix Oliomogbe and Njadvara Musa:
"Violence Rages in Borno, Boko Haram Bombs Police Vehicle; Banks, Shops Close Operations; Delta
Evacuates Students; Lawmakers Seek Withdrawal of Troops"]
It was still violence in Borno State yesterday as three suspected Boko Haram bombers attacked a police
patrol vehicle stationed at the Bulunkutu Roundabout in Maiduguri at about 7.15am, injuring seven
passersby.

The suspected armed sect members were said to have come in a vehicle, driven close to the police vehicle
where one of them threw the bomb at the patrol van before members of the Joint Taskforce, Operation
Restored Order (JTORO) came to the scene, firing at the vehicle used by he bombers.

Confirming the attacks, the spokesman of JTORO, Col. Victor Ebhaleme said the bombers attacked the
police patrol vehicle, destroying it with the explosives.

"There was a blast targeted at the police patrol vehicle this morning by the Boko Haram sect members.
The bombers used a vehicle to attack the policemen on patrol at Bulunkutu roundabout before soldiers
came to protect the people in the affected area," he said.

The Guardian learnt that yesterday's bombing was a kilometre away from the scene of Tuesday's blast on
the busiest airport road in the metropolis. There were no casualties in the blast, as only parts of the road
were destroyed.

On whether any arrest had been made, Ebhaleme said immediately after the blast, policemen went for a
house-to-house search for the fleeing bombers in Bulunkutu and Gomari wards.

Meanwhile, more residents have continued to flee Maiduguri over the security situation, as appeal by the
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai Ibn El-Kanemi that the residents should stay appears to
be falling on deaf ears.

The streets of Maiduguri as well as the markets and schools have remained deserted and closed. At the
Ramat Shopping Complex, only a few shops were opened, including the ones on Baga Shehu Laminu and
Kashim Ibrahim roads. All the banks on these roads have also been closed as the spokesman of the sect
was said to have on Wednesday, in a telephone interview with reporters, vowed to attack more banks that
failed to operate according to Sharia legal system.

At Bank PHB, the two gates were closed. One of the security guards said: "We are not opening this bank
to public because of the directives from above that all banking services be suspended until the security
situation improves." Customers yesterday queued up at all the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of
banks with security guards at most of the ATM booths in Maiduguri.
The only two banks that opened to customers were the United Bank of Africa (UBA) and the Central
Bank of Nigeria located adjacent to UBA.

The Boko Haram sect has continued with its bombing threats yesterday, as Mallam Abu Zaid, who
claimed to be spokesman of the Islamist sect said they were targeting the Presidential Villa and claimed
responsibilities for the robbery attacks on three banks in Katsina, Bauchi and Borno States.

In a recent telephone interview of Zaid with journalists at the Government House, Maidugui, he called for
immediate withdrawal of troops of the Joint Taskforce on Operation Restore Order (JTORO), claiming
that the presence of soldiers in Maiduguri metropolis was a "a sad tale for innocent people."

The sect's spokesman said it knew its targets, stating that members of Boko Haram sect may consider a
temporary ceasefire on condition that all the soldiers are withdrawn from the streets of Maiduguri. Zaid
also admitted that "it is our men that carried out all the attacks on some banks in the state." According to
him, they were forced to attack the banks because they were not operating within the precepts of Islam.

"They are not working for the cause of the masses and they are not operating within the Islamic system.
We attacked them because we believe it is our right to do so," Zaid maintained, refusing to disclose the
location from where he was speaking to journalists on phone.

Meanwhile, a total of 585 students of Delta State origin have been evacuated from the University of
Maiduguri (UNIMAD) by the state government as a result of the spate of bombings and killin gs by the
militant Boko Haram Muslim sect in Borno State.

On hand to receive some of the students in Asaba yesterday was the Commissioner, Bureau of Special
Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, who reinstated the government's commitment to the welfare of all Deltans, no
matter where they may be residing.

Nwaka who condemned the activities of the radical group was however happy that none of the students
was either killed or died in an auto crash on their way back home from the long journey.

And despite the rising state of insecurity in Borno State with attendant mass exodus of people from the
state in the wake of attacks by Boko Harram sect members, lawmakers in the National Assembly from the
state have called on the Federal Government to immediately withdraw soldiers moved to the state to quell
the violence.
Addressing journalists yesterday in the National Assembly, the Borno federal lawmakers under the
auspices of Borno State National Assembly Caucus, led by Senator Ma'aji Maina Lawal said they resorted
to addressing the press as the situation appeared to have crossed all normal boundaries.

The caucus maintained that the use of force would not provide the necessary solution to the problem of
the sect, recalling that it was tried in the Niger Delta and some other trouble spots in the world but failed.
It, therefore, called for dialogue with the sect and possible amnesty.

"Just like what happened in the Niger Delta, it was not the brute force that brought out the solution but the
unconditional amnesty granted by the government. We are accordingly calling for a similar approach.
Dialogue should commence with unconditional amnesty so that when people are coming to the table, they
are not coming with swords and guns pointing on their necks and heads. We believe that engaging the
elements in an honest process is better than guns so that peace and unity can return to Maiduguri and,
consequently, to the northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large,'' they said.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Edo Indigenes Return Home; Detail Islamic Sect's Terror Activities

AFP20110717598005 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 0021 GMT 17 Jul 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram in Military Uniform Shoot at usEdo Returnees"]

They are back to the safety of their various ancestral homes in Edo State. That did not, however, remove
the anxiety with which they had lived in the last few weeks.
Some of the fleeing indigenes of Edo State who arrived from Borno State on Friday night disclosed that
in several instances, members of the Boko Haram sect in military uniforms unleashed terror on citizens,
maiming and killing at will.

Breathing the air of freedom, after they were lifted off from the killer fields, the fleeing Edo indigenes
said that they had for weeks been in the grim embrace of death.

Narrating their ordeal at the University of Maiduguri, Mohammed Ali Abdullazeez who led the Edo
students Association University out of the state and is financial secretary of the body said: "Outside the
school environment, it had been continuous bomb blasts and gunshots from various angles."

Kingsley Oshoneme Atsegbua, a 400-level Business Management student painted a horrific picture of
how he and his sister, Adiza, escaped death by the whiskers.

He said: "When the circular was given to us on Monday to evacuate on Tuesday, we left from school for
an area called Shagari Low Cost estate for safety not knowing that that area was worse. That very day,
there were a series of bomb blasts, so we had to stop somewhere and went to mechanic site. As we were
there, we heard another bomb blast.

"Some men in military uniforms started shooting any one fleeing. They were killing people, irrespective
of who they were. When we heard the bomb blast, we hid somewhere not knowing that the people in
military uniforms were coming after us. My sister and I were sitting, together with our luggage. All of a
sudden, we saw some guys running towards us. There was a wall behind us. Immediately I saw them, I
scaled the fence and sustained ankle injury. Where we were, we didn't know that others in military
uniforms were there pointing guns at us. My sister also managed to jump the fence and joined me. She
came to me and we ran and ran. In fact, she was shivering and I was shivering too."

He continued: "About 30 minutes later, I went back to see if the situation was okay. There was this
woman in that particular area who is the wife of a security man.

She called us and said that the men in military uniforms just left. They were four, cracking guns and
shouting "where are those people that ran here?" The woman screamed that there was nobody. They said
"No. No. We saw some people here."

The returnee said further: "They saw a warehouse and asked: 'Where is the key to the place?' The woman
said that she didn't have any key. They went and shot the place open to make sure that there was nobody.
After the incident, another man came and he was wet all over with mud. When I asked him what
happened, he said he went out to pick his shoes when the men in military uniforms ran towards him. As
he was trying to hide, he did not know there was a mud behind him. He had to force himself as if he was
swimming so as not to be caught. Luckily, he escaped."

He added that: "On our way home, we saw a man who shot at that point. He was just coming from the
opposite direction when they shot him. They killed him. He was not a student, but they killed him."

On the situation in Maiduguri, he said: "So many people were stranded at the motor parks, not only the
state capital but also in the neighbouring states. The people that were going far were calling for attention
to leave for safer areas. Even in those areas, they were told there was still crisis and they had to leave."

Receiving the returnees at the Government House yesterday, Oshiomhole described the situation in Borno
State as unfortunate. He expressed optimism that the Federal Government would soon find a solution to
the problem.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigeria: Maiduguri Residents Relocate to Kano Following Islamic Sect Crisis

AFP20110720598003 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 20 Jul 11

[Report by Lawan Danjuma Adamu: "Boko Haram: Maiduguri Residents Relocate to Kano"]
Hundreds of Maiduguri residents fleeing the city because of the crisis in the area have relocated to Kano
State. Our correspondent reports that most of them comprising of children, women and elderly persons
are living under very difficult conditions.

Daily Trust gathered that many of the residents arrived Kano aboard trucks conveying grains. It was also
learnt that some of them paid as much as N5,000 to be conveyed to Kano.

While a few of them managed to escape with their belongings, some left Maiduguri with only their
motorcycles.

A mother of 13, Hajiya Hadiza Isuhu told our correspondent that she relocated to the Kano about nine
days ago and has been sharing an Uncompleted two bedroom mud house with 19 other displaced persons
at Rimin Kebe part of the state.

The woman, who expressed fear that two of her sons might have been killed by soldiers in the rampage,
said she was resident in Bulunkutu area of Borno State before the attack.

She accused soldiers in Maiduguri of raping married women in the presence of their husbands.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Al Jazeera.net: Nigeria Admits Police Were 'overzealous'

GMP20110720966180 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 2010 GMT 20 Jul 11

["Nigeria Admits Police Were 'overzealous'" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(Al Jazeera net) -

The Nigerian government has for the first time admitted that its soldiers were "overzealous" in their fight
against a radical Muslim group.

The military has been accused of extra-judicial killings and causing the deaths of civilians during its
crackdown on the Boko Haram sect.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is sacrilege" in the local Hausa language, has
waged a violent campaign against Nigerian police and politicians.

Al Jazeera correspondent Emike Umolu reports.

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]

Nigeria: Lawmakers Avoid Boko Haram Discussions Over Attack Fear

AFP20110721606003 Lagos Vanguard in English 21 Jul 11 p 6

[Report by Ben Agande: "Fear of attack scare Reps' from discussing Boko Haram"]

The fear of a possible reprisal attack against them or members of their families has kept the house of
representatives from discussing the growing menace of the Boko Haram which has been engaged in
violent confrontations with security forces in Borno and other northern states, Vanguard investigations
have revealed.

A cross section of members of the house of representatives who spoke with Vanguard, admitted that
though the Boko Haram threat was a source of worry and concern to them, they were reluctant to raise the
issue because of fear of attacks on them or members of their families. To underscore the fear, almost all
members who spoke with Vanguard did so on the condition that they would not be quoted. A member
from Borno State, who claimed he had lost some constituents and relatives to Boko Haram attacks, said
the threat posed by the sect was greater than being reported in the media.

He said: "Look the issue is more serious than it is being reported. For those of us who know and have felt
their viciousness, there is a serious problem ahead except the issue is nipped in the bud. All hands must be
on deck to arrest this monster. For those of us in the state, we know that many of the leaders and
commanders of the sect were trained in Somalia, Yemen and other crisis-prone parts of the world. They
only use our vulnerable children as cannon fodders for their nefarious acts."

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard in English -- Independent widely read daily]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Sect Disagrees, Splits

AFP20110721606004 Lagos Vanguard in English 21 Jul 11 p 6

[Report by Daniel Idonor & Ndahi Marama: "Boko Haram sect splits"]

Confusion has crept into the camp of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram which has unleashed a reign of terror
in the northern part of the country for several months as the sect has split into two factions. One faction,
the Yusufiyya Islamic Movement, [YIM] has vowed to expose the other faceless group, which it
described as evil group. The Yusufiyya group is made up of followers of slain leader of the Islamic sect,
Mallam Mohammed Yusuf. This development came as President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, held
talks with elders from Borno State, over growing insecurity in the state, which is believed to be the abode
of the sect. The Yusufiyya Islamic Movement, in a two-page statement contained in leaflets yesterday,
condemned the attacks and bombing of residences and places of worship by the other sect that claimed to
be fighting a Jihad in the North. The leaflets were distributed on Tuesday to the various wards, Post
Office Area and media houses in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

Confusion, misinterpretation

The leaflets read in part: "The Yusufiyya Movement has come to mean different things to different people
in the last few months. This confusion and misinterpretation have made it necessary for us to come out
publicly with the clear truth regarding our concept, struggle, aim and ultimate objective, as our
declaration would guide in distinguishing the Yusufiyya movement from the various labels ascribed to us,
as the Boko Haram.

This is necessary in the light of genuine concern by individuals and groups to the mass suffering of
innocent citizens caught in the cross fire between our members and the Nigerian troops. This concern has
again brought to the fore, the daunting issue of reconciliation, through dialogue, with the Nigerian
authorities and individual leaders involved in the naked abuse of our birthright to the peaceful
propagation and practice of our religion as we understand it."

The sect argued that it was in the process of exercising their right to propagate their religion as they
understood it, that their leader, Mohammed Yusuf was killed as well as the destruction and confiscation
of their landed and moveable property in Maiduguri. Following their leader’s murder, the members
therefore "resolved to wage a struggle between justice and injustice, between truth and falsehood, right
against wrong, in which the sect was sure of victory."
The statement, however, noted that the public must know that the Yusufiyya Islamic sect is far from the
image of the heartless terrorists, arsonists or sadistic robbers painted by other people with a distinct
agenda, saying "it is therefore unbecoming to attribute attacks on the civilian population or places of
worship to our group, the Yusufiyya Islamic Movement."

Referring to the factions in the Boko Haram sect, the statement further explained that; "ours is a clear
fight for the blood of our founder, Mohammed Yusuf and other leaders who were slain in cold blood by
former governor of Borno State (names withheld), the former Borno state commissioner of police and the
late President", adding that the former president "has since been seized by Allah in an answer to the sect’s
prayer for support against his aggression".

"We therefore distance our group from all the bombings targeted at civilians and other establishments and
equally condemn them and pray that Allah expose those who perpetrated them and attributed them to us."
Exonerating the Yusufiyya sect from other factions of Boko Haram sect, the statement declared: "We are
concerned that some people with evil motives have infiltrated our genuine struggle with a false holy war
that is outright un-Islamic. We call on this evil group to desist, failing which we shall have no option than
to expose and hunt them. Finally, we have resolved to temporarily halt our fight against the assassination
of our leaders in compliance with the prohibition of fighting in the holy month of Ramadan."

JTF in Borno to restore order

The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt.Col. Hassan Mohammed confirmed the statement
and distribution of the leaflets on Boko Haram factions and temporary ceasefire in Borno State. He said:
"The JTF is on top of the insecurity situations in Borno State. The factions being created in the Boko
Haram sect and the temporary ceasefire from the Yusuffiyya Islamic sect could bring peace and the
restoration of law and order by nipping all acts of terrorism by the other factions of Boko Haram sect."

Speaking on the alleged excesses of soldiers in fighting terrorism and other acts of violence, Mohammed
said: "We are here in Borno to restore law and order and not to intimidate or harass any residents of the
affected wards in Maiduguri metropolis." He said, "the truth of the matter, is that terrorism is the enemy
of the entire world, including the killings and bombings of Maiduguri residents and their places of
worship". He added that if the people could not live in peace without the protection of their lives and
property, soldiers would not have place or relevance in any democratically elected country, like Nigeria.
Nigerian soldiers, according to him, are learned and civilized professionals that are here in Borno State to
protect people’s lives and property.

Military to remain in Borno - FG

Meanwhile, President Jonathan, yesterday, met behind closed doors with a forum of elders from Borno
State; North East Elders and Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, over the growing concern of insecurity in
the North, following activities of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram. It was resolved that the military
will remain in Borno State until enduring peace is restored. Those who attended the peace talks included
Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius
Anyim; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke; Chief of
Defence Staff, National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azaazi; ACF Board Chairman, Gen Jerry Useni;
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and the Chief of Staff to the
President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe.

The meeting which began at about 1500 GMT, held at "House 7" of the Presidential Villa, perhaps to
avoid the media that usually swarm on those suspected to have met with the President over sensitive
issues. The elders who arrived Abuja on 19 July were said to have been accommodated at the Sheraton
Hotel, before they were conveyed in a 30-seater Toyota coaster bus to the venue of the meeting.
Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku who briefed reporters after the meeting, said, all the parties
agreed that the army should remain in the state till further notice.

Broad based consultations

"There were broad-based consultations on the outcry for the withdrawal of military. But in the light of
this discussion, the meeting generally agreed that it is premature to withdraw the military. What was
needed was that if there are cases of individual misbehavior by members of the Joint Task Force, the
authorities will look into those cases", he said. He added that "right now we know that one or two soldiers
who were found to have done things in excess are being questioned by the relevant authorities. What is
important is that the army is playing a great role and with the situation we are in now, if you withdraw the
army, we don’t know what will happen."

According to him, "what is most important is to manage the military until such a time that it is clear that
some of the potent threat are lowered." He said: "The President this afternoon held a broad-based
consultation with leaders from Borno State, the North East and Arewa Consultative Forum on the security
situation in Borno State and other parts of the north. This meeting was broadly attended by political
leaders. The meeting explored different options; consulted widely on what we can do together to bring
about peace and security in Borno State and other affected areas. The meeting was very fruitful and
indeed, this is the beginning of further dialogue to find solution to this problem.

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard in English -- Independent widely read daily]

Government Reportedly Agrees to Some Boko Haram's Demands

AFP20110722619002 Lagos The Source in English 18 Jul 11 - 25 Jul 11 36-37

[Report by Chidiebere Onyemaizu: "Boko Haram: The secret deals"]

Former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff is fingered as the big masquerade behind the insurgent
Islamic sect, Boko Haram. But the former governor says he is unjustly being maligned

Like a web, the Boko Haram saga appears to be fast entangling the immediate past governor of Borno
State, Ali Modu Sheriff. Hard as Sheriff tries to free himself, more allegations tumble in of his links to the
dreaded sect. The latest came from the chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF], Jerry Useni, a
retired General.

Before Useni’s bombshell on Sheriff, it was being mooted in hushed tones that the former Borno
governor actually created and used the militant sect to prosecute his electoral battles in the past. But last
week, the ACF chief pointedly declared that Boko Haram is Sheriff’s brain child.

Useni had disclosed that as deputy national chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party [ANPP], he
once visited Borno and saw youths hawking petrol on the streets of Maiduguri and when he inquired from
Sheriff why he allowed the situation, he told him (Useni) that they (the youths) were useful.

"I asked him (Sheriff) why he allowed them to be selling on major roads like that and he said ‘No, no,
leave them. They are very useful. During election, we can use them to turn everywhere. So, it means that
they were used during the elections, so that was how it all started."

At the beginning, the relationship between the sect and the former governor was so cordial that the sect
allegedly nominated one of its members, Buju Foi, into the Sheriff cabinet as commissioner for religious
affairs.
 But the Boko Haram’s alliance with the former governor allegedly thawed when Sheriff turned down
their demand that Borno State be Islamized. The worsening relationship between the two parties, it was
alleged, climaxed with Foi quitting the Sheriff government.

Both Foi and Boko Haram’s leader, Yusuf Mohammed were killed in August 2009 during
government’s offensive on the sect’s headquarters. At the time of his brutal end, Foi was said to be Boko
Haram’s financier.

The controversial killing of Yusuf, Foi and other top Boko Haram cadres in 2009 is now being linked
with the high caliber of individuals behind the sect’s emergence. The theory is that the men were finished
off to prevent them from revealing other high profile members.

After the government’s assault on its stronghold in 2009 with Sheriff’s tacit support, Boko Haram,
allegedly became convinced that the former governor had indeed used and dumped them. And from then
on, the sect never hid its anti-Sheriff stance.

In June, the sect gave the trial of Sheriff for the alleged killing of its leaders in 2009 as one of the
conditions for dialogue with the government. Before the 2011 election, the sect visited what it perceived
as Sheriff’s sins on his younger brother, Mudu Gubio, who was the ANPP gubernatorial candidate for
Borno State. Gubio was assassinated in January by the sect.

Questions are now being asked as to whether Sheriff’s apology to the Boko Haram on 29 May 2011 was
principally because, deep inside him, he knew that the sect had every reason to be angry, having been
used and dumped.

In Sheriff’s apology to the group, he had said; "I wish to publicly tender my apology to
Jama’atulAhliss-SunnaLadda’ await Wal Jihad (Boko Haram’s real name) and other groups I might have
offended in the course of discharging my duties as the executive governor of Borno State. It is human to
err but divine to forgive."

Apparently to get to the root of the former governor’s alleged fraternity with Boko Haram, the State
Security Service [SSS], last week, grilled him for several hours. Sheriff was also summoned to Aso Rock
last week by President Goodluck Jonathan to explain his alleged role in the formation of the sect.
 But the former governor’s camp has since denied that their principal was invited or arrested by the SSS.
They insist that Sheriff went there on his own volition to offer advice on how to curb the Boko Haram
menace. They also denied that Sheriff had any hand in the formation of the rampaging Islamist group.

The former governor himself has personally debunked insinuations making the round that the Boko
Haram was his creation. He also denied being summoned to Aso Rock saying that as a former governor,
he has the right to see the president.

He regretted that Useni linked him with the sect, saying "I respect him and I also believe that he should
always be cautions when speaking in public, otherwise the age and the position he has earned would be in
question."

Sheriff also clarified his apology to Boko Haram, saying "I didn’t apologize to the Boko Haram, I
apologized to every citizen of Borno State when I was leaving office in my 29 May speech."

Meanwhile, the group is not giving up in its campaign of terror in Maiduguri. Last week, its bombing
campaign claimed many lives including those of its own combatants.

The Joint Military Task Force deployed to the city to hunt down members of the group has also stepped
up its operations, engaging in house-to-house search for possible insurgents.

But a group calling itself "Committee of Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought" issued a statement
during the week accusing the task force of deliberately targeting innocent youths in the guise of smoking
out the insurgents.

The group thus called for the withdrawal of the soldiers and their replacement with the police. The task
force denied the allegation and blamed the Boko Haram for indiscriminate burning of houses and killing
of innocent civilians with improvised explosive devices.

To restore calm to the troubled Borno State and other parts of the North ravaged by the Boko Haram
insurgency, the minister of police affairs, Caleb Olubolade, last week, hinted that the federal government
may dialogue with the sect.

"We will explore dialogue with any aggrieved groups so that peace will reign in Nigeria. We will look
at what we can do to guarantee peace," he had said.
 Keen followers of the unfolding Boko Haram saga are however wondering if the dialogue will be on the
basis of the group’s demand for the Islamization of 12 Northern states and its rejection of Western values.

Already, the federal government appears willing to open discussion with the sect and end the growing
insecurity in the North which has forced many to flee the worst affected areas. A major casualty of the
sect's offensive is the University of Maiduguri which has been closed down following threats of attack by
the group.

But the Boko Haram group reacted to the closure last week in a public statement claiming that: "We
were surprised to hear the rumor that we are planning to attack the university. This is to us belittling and it
is as if people are underrating us when we are aiming at the Aso Rock Villa."

However, the national security adviser, Andrew Owoye Azazi, has confirmed that the government
would hold talks with all aggrieved individuals and groups to foster peaceful co-existence in the country.

Sources informed The Source that the government may have agreed to meet some key demands of the
sect including punishing the killers of Yusuf, granting immunity from arrest and prosecution, and halting
the current military operations in their strongholds.

These are some agreements, The Source affirmed, the government expects to yield results in the days
ahead.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Source in English - independent weekly news magazine]
Nigeria: Army Kills Suspected Islamic Insurgent After Failed Bomb Attack

AFP20110722678013 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1018 GMT 22 Jul 11

KANO, Nigeria, July 22, 2011 (AFP) - A gun battle between Nigerian soldiers and suspected Islamists
that broke out after a failed bomb attack in the country's troubled northeast left one extremist dead, the
military said Friday.

"Around 6:50 pm on Thursday an explosive device was hurled at a military patrol team by some
suspected members of Boko Haram," Lt. Col. Hassan Isijeh Mohammed told AFP of the incident in the
violence-wracked city of Maiduguri.

He said the explosive missed its target and detonated without causing any casualties, prompting the
attackers, suspected to be from the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram, to open fire on the patrol.

"The soldiers responded and one of the attackers was killed in the shootout, while the rest fled," he said.

Mohammed said there was a second blast at a garbage collection site in the city, but no one was hurt.

"From all indications, the device exploded prematurely. We still don't know what the target was and
nobody has been arrested," he added.

Boko Haram has been blamed for a wave of gun and bomb attacks, targeting military and police
personnel, community and religious leaders as well as politicians in the past year.

The sect launched a short-lived armed rebellion in 2009 in a doomed bid to establish an Islamic state in
parts of the north.

The uprising was crushed by the military, leaving hundreds, mostly sect members, dead and the sect's
mosque and headquarters in ruins.

Hundreds of troops have been deployed to Maiduguri in recent weeks in a bid to stop the intensifying
violence.
Soldiers have been accused of shooting civilians and burning their homes over residents' alleged
cooperation with the extremists, which the military denies.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Kano Residents Maintain Rampage Accusations Against Nigeria Soldiers

AFP20110725678001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1203 GMT 25 Jul 11

["Residents again accuse Nigerian soldiers of rampage" -- AFP Headline]

KANO, Nigeria, July 25, 2011 (AFP) - Residents on Monday accused Nigerian soldiers of shooting
civilians and burning homes following a bomb blast blamed on Islamists over the weekend, but the
military denied the claims.

Troops deployed to the northeastern city of Maiduguri, hit by scores of attacks, have previously been
accused of killing civilians and burning their houses after alleging residents cooperated with the Islamist
sect known as Boko Haram.

On Monday, residents of an area of Maiduguri hit by the bomb blast on Saturday said soldiers went on a
rampage after the attack, shooting indiscriminately and torching homes and shops, resulting in a number
of deaths.

Military officials on Saturday said suspected Boko Haram members bombed its patrol team in Budum,
wounding three soldiers.
A military spokesman dismissed the residents' accusations as "outright lies", insisting that no civilian
casualties were recorded on Saturday.

"The fire that burnt homes, shops and vehicles was caused by the impact of the explosion of the bomb
detonated by the Boko Haram attackers," said Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Isijeh Mohammed, spokesman
for the military unit deployed in the city.

The attack occurred in an area near the palace of the Shehu of Borno, an influential traditional and
religious leader, though it did not seem the palace was targeted.

"Soon after the bomb went off, military vehicles arrived and soldiers besieged the neighbourhood,
shooting indiscriminately and setting houses and shops in and around the market on fire," one resident
told AFP.

"They went about burning vehicles and in some cases along with the occupants."

He claimed dozens of people were either killed or missing, though the allegations could not be
independently confirmed.

A nurse at the Maiduguri University Teaching Hospital who asked not to be named said five bodies were
brought to the morgue late Saturday.

Another resident said his house was among those gutted.

"Almost all the houses in the area have been burnt by the soldiers and not less than 60 shops and stalls
were burnt in the attack, which were reprisals for the Boko Haram attack," he said.

An emergency source confirmed officials had received such reports, but they remained unverified and
rescue workers were focused on assisting those in need of help.

Thousands of residents have already fled Maiduguri out of fears of further violence.
Amnesty International has said at least 25 people were killed during a military raid in Maiduguri after a
bomb blast earlier this month, with many others reported missing.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Sect Spokesperson Denies Alleged Plan Attack on Maiduguri Hospital

AFP20110725614005 Abuja NTA Television in English 2000 GMT 13 Jul 11

Still on security matters, the Boko Haram sect has refuted claims that they plans to attack the University
of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital or any public institutions.

Spokesperson of the sect, Abu Said, told journalists in Maiduguri on telephone that the sect would never
attack innocent citizens.

The spokesman who called for the withdrawal of soldiers from the Borno State capital regretted that the
ban on motorcycles has forced people to relocate and render many of them jobless.

The spokesperson urged constituted authority to be more concerned about the plight of the masses.

He commended the mediatory role been played by the media in the ongoing crisis and emphasis that the
Boko Haram sect have no foreign sponsorship.
[Description of Source: Abuja NTA Television Abuja in English--state-owned, government-controlled
television]

Nigeria: Ex-governor Denies Link With Boko Haram Sect

AFP20110725614009 Abuja Radio Nigeria-Abuja in English 2100 GMT 13 Jul 11

The former governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, has denied any link with the Boko Haram
sect as it is been insinuated.

In an interview with state house correspondents in Abuja, Alhaji Ali Sheriff explained that the sect had
been in existent before he became the governor.

He described the allegations against him as been the facilitator of Boko Haram as false.

[Begin Sheriff recording] People make comments on what they don’t know and at a level in life, you
don’t speak on matters that you are not very competent, whosever feel that I am a mentor of Boko Haram
is most unfortunate and there is no truth in the statement. [End recording]
Alhaji Alli Sheriff said the current security challenges in Borno State require the urgent attention of all
stakeholders to bring the situation under control.

[Description of Source: Abuja Radio Nigeria-Abuja in English -- Federal government-owned,

independent radio]

Xinhua 'Roundup': 8 Killed, 53 Shops, 28 Vehicles Destroyed in Nigeria's Weekend Blast

CPP20110725968192 Beijing Xinhua in English 1706 GMT 25 Jul 11

[Xinhua "Roundup": "8 Killed, 53 Shops, 28 Vehicles Destroyed in Nigeria's Weekend Blast"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Eight persons died, 50 shops and 28 vehicles were destroyed
while many wounded in Saturday's bomb explosion in a northeastern city of Maiduguri in Nigeria when
the Boko Haram Islamic sect threw an explosive at a military patrol vehicle.

Though the Joint Task Force troops deployed by the Nigerian government to the north eastern state of
Borno had claimed only three of its soldiers sustained injuries, residents maintained eight people actually
died in the explosion and the ensuing gun battle between the Boko Haram men and the military troops.

Sources told Xinhua said some members of the Islamic sect had thrown an explosive at a patrol vehicle of
the troops in Budum, a settlement located behind the Shehu of Borno Palace.
The Shehu, a popular Nigerian king, is the vice chairman of the Islamic Council in Nigeria, next to the
Sultan of Sokoto.

Batima Bukar, a 45-year-old victim of the incident told Xinhua that his hand was broken when he
attempted to save an old woman who was almost trapped in the area during the shoot out with the sect.

He disclosed that two corpses were found at the Budum Market roundabout on Sunday morning while
another two were discovered at about 6 a.m. local time same day adjacent the area.

Another resident who craved anonymity told Xinhua that she lost her husband and a neighbor, adding that
while her husband was hit by stray bullet, their neighbor was a victim of the blast.

The Saturday incident has compelled many of the residents of the area to flee their homes.But the Joint
Task Force (JTF) through its spokesperson Col Hassan Mohammed insisted nobody died in the incident.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the worsening security situation
in north of Nigeria was disturbing.

The agency the standard of living of the people was daily deteriorating due to the inability of the residents
to engage in their economic activities since the Boko Haram uprising heightened in the state.

Northeast zonal information officer for the agency Ibrahim Farinloye said the Boko Haram crisis and face
off with the security agencies has brought untold hardship on the people.

He said the federal government through NEMA and other humanitarian actors was reaching out to all the
distressed people in the communities in order to cushion the adverse effects of the crisis on the people
while equally ease the financial constraint of distressed Muslims for the month of Ramadan.

He disclosed that the agency had been directed by the Federal Government to commence comprehensive
relief package to reach out to the distressed people irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliation
in their present places of residence.

The exercise which was expected to commence on Monday would focus on residents at Abbaganaram,
Kaleri, Simari, Dala, Budum, London chiki as well as various villages in and around Maiduguri.
[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency)]

Nigerian Forces Kill at Least 23 After Bomb Blast: Amnesty

AFP20110725650002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English, Accounting 25 Jul 11

[[" Nigerian forces kill at least 23 after bomb blast: Amnesty " -- AFP headline]]

LAGOS, July 25, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian security forces killed at least 23 people after a bomb blast
blamed on Islamists over the weekend, allegedly randomly shooting and burning a market, Amnesty
International said on Monday.

The allegations were the latest against Nigerian security forces operating in the northeastern city of
Maiduguri, which has been hit by scores of bomb blasts and gun attacks blamed on an Islamist sect
known as Boko Haram.

"The Nigerian authorities must immediately put a stop to unlawful killings by security forces," the rights
group said in a statement.

"...At least 23 people were killed by police following a bomb blast on Saturday in the northeastern city of
Maiduguri."

Amnesty said the Joint Military Task Force, assigned to Maiduguri to deal with the wave of attacks,
responded to the bomb blast with heavy force. The military has said the blast wounded three soldiers.
"According to reports received by Amnesty International, the Nigerian Joint Military Task Force
responded by shooting and killing a number of people, apparently at random, before burning down the
market," it said.

Residents of the neighbourhood had earlier made similar accusations against security forces in interviews
with AFP.

A military spokesman earlier dismissed the residents' accusations as "outright lies," insisting that no
civilian casualties were recorded on Saturday.

"The fire that burnt homes, shops and vehicles was caused by the impact of the explosion of the bomb
detonated by the Boko Haram attackers," said Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Isijeh Mohammed.

It was not the first time troops were accused of abuses in Maiduguri.

Amnesty has previously said that at least 25 people were killed during a military raid after another bomb
blast in Maiduguri earlier this month and many others were reported missing.

At the time, Amnesty said that "reports say members of the security forces have repeatedly threatened to
shoot everyone in the area if they fail to tip them off about future bombs."

Residents reported then that soldiers accused them of cooperating with the Islamists.

The military also denied those allegations, but elders from the area had afterward called for the troops to
be withdrawn. The government has resisted calls to pull out the troops, saying the situation would only
worsen.

Thousands of people have already fled Maiduguri out of fears of further violence.

The city has been extremely tense in recent weeks, with bomb blasts and shootings occurring almost
daily.
Saturday's blast shook an area near the palace of the Shehu of Borno, an influential traditional and
religious leader, though it did not seem the palace was targeted.

"Soon after the bomb went off, military vehicles arrived and soldiers besieged the neighbourhood,
shooting indiscriminately and setting houses and shops in and around the market on fire," one resident
told AFP.

"They went about burning vehicles and in some cases along with the occupants."

The sect claims to be fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country of
some 150 million people, roughly divided between Christians and Muslims.

But its source of financing and support remains unclear, and there has been widespread speculation over
whether some of the attacks have been politically linked.

It also remains unclear whether Boko Haram has links with Islamist groups outside of Nigeria -- an issue
that has drawn the attention of Western nations.

The sect launched an uprising in 2009 that was put down by a brutal military assault which left hundreds
dead and destroyed the Islamists' mosque and headquarters in Maiduguri.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: More Members Join Dreaded Islamic Sect

AFP20110726686004 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 26 Jul 11 p 3

[Report by Uju Amuta: "More People Indicate Interest to Join Boko Haram"]

Just within 24 hours of soliciting for membership, scores of new converts from diverse tribes and
religions all over the country have signified their intention to join the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect.
The group has claimed responsibility for series of killings and bomb attacks in some northern states,
especially Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. This is coming even as residents of Maiduguri and
members of the Joint Task Force [JTF] have disagreed over those responsible for the recent killings in the
area. Boko Haram has through its website initiated moves to recruit more people to join its fold to boost
its followership and about 38 interested Nigerians have signified their interest to join the sect. Out of the
38 people who have volunteered to join the sect, three are Yoruba, going by their names.

Two of them only gave their first names as Gbenga, Adewole and Precious Bankole. Four other
volunteers are of Igbo extraction and they submitted names as Emmanuel Nwanganga, Israel, Jason
Wallace and Christian Abugu. Other names like Salihu Salihu, Yusuf Ahmed, Osama Adamu and other
northern names also featured on the list.

The sect, in its posting on its website, www.yusufislamicbrothers. blogspot. com has called on true
faithful to join its fold. It said: "We call on all true faithful who believe in our cause to join us by enlisting
as followers and become a member of the brotherhood on our site." The group also claimed that it
represented the wishes and aspirations of the people. The sect added: "We do not live in camps and we
are well known by the people. We are supported by the local people just as they know us well. The locals
love us and they will never betray us because they believe in our cause.

As for the State Security Services [SSS], we are not far away from you, if you get us, come for us, we
will not relent until we achieve our aim."

Meanwhile, residents of Maiduguri hit by bomb blast on Sunday said soldiers went on a rampage after the
attack, shooting indiscriminately and torching homes and shops, resulting in a number of deaths. A
resident, who simply identified himself as Marwa Ibrahim, said he saw eight dead bodies after the
explosion near the palace of the Shehu of Borno. At the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, a
morgue attendant, said five dead bodies were deposited at the hospital’s morgue. Details of Sunday’s
attack could also not be confirmed last night. But spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed,
refused to confirm that there were deaths in the Sunday’s explosion.
He, however, said that three soldiers were injured after bombs were thrown at a patrol team. He also did
not give details. Residents said series of bomb blasts occurred in the Budum area of the city followed by
sporadic gunshots. Mohammed confirmed the explosion and the injury to the three soldiers, but he did not
give the extent of the injuries. Military officials on Saturday said suspected Boko Haram members
bombed its patrol team in Budum, injuring three soldiers.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International yesterday advised security forces to stop unlawful killings "after at
least 23 people were killed by police following a bomb blast on Saturday in the northeastern city of
Maiduguri." "President Goodluck Jonathan must get a grip on the Nigerian armed forces and immediately
prevent them from carrying out further human rights violations and unlawful killings," said Tawanda
Hondora, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Africa. "The government must now investigate
these heinous crimes and put on trial those found to be responsible for the killings. Allowing troops to go
on the rampage will not bring to justice those who carry out these terrible bomb attacks on civilians," he
said. "While staying within the law, the government must step up efforts to bring to justice members of
Boko Haram who wreck untold suffering on people."

One wing of Boko Haram has reportedly disowned the bomb blast, saying it may have been carried out by
a splinter group. One human rights defender told Amnesty International: "Soldiers went on the rampage.
They shot several people and burned all their shops and properties and burned their cars."

Following a bombing in Maiduguri two weeks ago, members of the JTF reportedly threatened to shoot
residents if they failed to report planned attacks. "House to house searches, brutalization, unlawful arrests,
killings and disappearances have been the operating practice in Maiduguri for some months now. Unless
steps are taken to ensure security forces operate within the law and respect human rights at all times, the
next time Boko Haram attacks or kills a soldier, we are likely to see the same thing happen again," said
Hondora.

Thousands of people living in Maiduguri have already left the city; and many more continue to do so. The
JTF has also been accused of raping women during their operations in recent months. "Allegations of rape
of women by members of the JTF have to be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice," Hondora
said. "Survivors of rape and sexual violence must be provided with appropriate support and aftercare," he
added. Since July 2010, attacks by people believed to be members of Boko Haram have increased. More
than 250 people have been killed in such attacks, many of which have targeted police officers and
government officials. Several religious leaders have been killed and churches have also been targeted.
Since June 2011, Boko Haram has also attacked bars and beer-gardens, killing scores of people.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill District Head in Borno State

AFP20110727581002 New York Sahara Reporters in English 1257 GMT 26 Jul 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Kills District Head and his 9-Year Old Daughter in Maiduguri"]

Suspected Boko Haram islamists shot and killed Mohammed Ali Lawal, the district head of Bulabulin in
Maiduguri around 8: am today in Maiduguri.

Alhaji Ali's attackers numbering 3 also shot and killed his 9 years old daughter. A neighbor's daughter
was also caught in the cross fire. Family sources claimed she sustained serious injuries.

Since its resurgence about a year ago, the northeasatern Nigeria based islamist sect has targetted and
killed several districts heads, islamic scholars, local officials and security agents in a campaign of
violence.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]
Nigeria: Government To Provide Toll-Free Lines To Tackle Islamic Sect Crisis

AFP20110727581007 Lagos This Day Online in English 27 Jul 11

[Report by Senator Iroegbu: "FG To Provide Toll-free Lines To Tackle Boko Haram"]

Determined to arrest the surging menace of Boko Haram, the Federal Government has said plans are afoot
to make telecommunications operators dedicate emergency toll-free lines to the public to fast-track its
intelligence gathering option on the sect.

Speaking at a two-day national stakeholders' summit on security and public awareness, held in Abuja
Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan also said his administration would ensure that the telephone
service operators put up toll-free emergency lines that could be easily accessed by members of the public
and encourage people's participation in tackling the challenges of internal security posed by the Boko
Haram sect.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, explained that the option was
adopted by his administration because of the important role identification and reporting of suspicious
activities in the fight against national insecurity plays.

According to him, the project was under the purview of the National Security Adviser (NSA), whose
office, Jonathan said, was already working with the Ministry of Communi-cation to facilitate the toll-free
emergency lines.

He said security was a shared responsibility and advised Nigerians to report suspicious characters to the
security agencies.

"To facilitate this, the Office of the National Security Adviser is working with the Ministry of
Communication to make telephone service operators provide toll-free emergency lines that are going to
be very easy to remember by the public.
"Government is ready to do whatever needs to be done within the scope of the rule of law to bring about
lasting peace, while laying more emphasis on intelligence-based approach to meeting our national
security challenges," he said.

The new strategy, according to participants at the summit, was underscored by the tacit support Boko
Haram and other similar groups enjoyed in the areas they operate.

Meanwhile, former Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt-Gen. Abdurrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.), has said
the recent event in Oslo, Norway has shown that security challenges are universal and not unique to
Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Dambazau said: "Every country in the world has its own security challenge.
Imagine what happened in Oslo just few days back. Nigeria is not an exception, but then we have to
address the problems we have in transitional societies. But these are challenges that we can always tackle.
But there is no society that can be free of such challenges."

He said the issue of security was all encompassing and posed multi-dimensional challenges that could be
traced to poverty, lack of education and critical infrastructure.

"The issue of security is all encompassing. There are a lot of other issues that are attached to insecurity
like unemployment, poverty, education and the issue of managing critical infrastructure," he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and General Secretary of the Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, opposed calls for the withdrawal of soldiers from Borno State.

Adegbite said such calls were premature and do not serve the collective interest of the people and the
nation as long as insecurity persists and the police continue to prove incapable in handling the situation.

"Why should they be withdrawn when there is still insecurity (in Borno State)? If the Nigeria Police is not
capable, then you should let the military stay for some time," he said.

He, however, advised the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with the peaceful elements in Boko
Haram while making sure that the troublemakers amongst them are rounded up to face justice.
He said: "We have suggested they should round up the troublemakers and dialogue with the ones who are
peace-loving and bring them into the modern limelight. Those who are ready to sheathe their swords
should be provided with education and other things. It has to be both ways. You use the stick and the
carrot."

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Report Details Boko Haram's Origin, Meaning, Operations, Consequences

AFP20110728619001 Lagos Newswatch in English 25 Jul 11 - 01 Aug 11 14-20

[Report by Ishaya Ibrahim: "The Boko Haram Killings"]

Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, remains a killing field as soldiers deployed to the city to check
Boko Haram killings are themselves being bombed and killed

For a couple of weeks now, it has been a ding-dong affair between members of the Boko Haram, the
Islamic sect that abhors western education which has made Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, a killing
field and members of the Joint Military Task Force [JTF] deployed by the federal government to quell the
insurgency in this Northeastern state. Daily, the soldiers are being killed just as the peace keepers in turn,
raid the hideouts of the militants, killing many of them.
 On Tuesday, 19 Jul, as the peacekeepers patrolled the town, a gang of men suddenly threw bombs at
their van about 7.40 p.m. The attack left three JTF men seriously wounded. The soldiers rounded up a few
suspects and rushed the injured men to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. It was a lucky
escape for the military men.

The attack on the soldiers was part of the series carried out by members of the Boko Haram group in
Maiduguri, Borno State, which necessitated the involvement of soldiers to protect the people. Members of
the sect have killed and maimed hundreds of people in the state in the past couple of months.

One sensational killing was that of a pastor of the Church of Christ in Nigeria [COCIN]. On that day,
Hamman Andrew, an assistant church secretary, had noticed strange movements around the church
premises. He ran to the pastor's residence to alert him. But he was too late. He was shot in the back.

The sound of the gunshot made the pastor to stagger out of his apartment. There, he saw his assistant
secretary lying in the pool of his own blood. Apparently moved, the pastor threw caution to the wind and
ran out to the dying man and was carrying him to his car. But half way, both of them were shot severally
by the gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram.

They both laid dead on the floor as their killers drove away. The pastor's father, a high-blood pressure
patient at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, could not survive the shock. He too died on
hearing the news of his son's death. The family is now in pains and sorrow.

The sect members and residents of Maiduguri have equally got a generous dose of the JTF firepower.
Saturday, 9 Jul, would be indelible in the minds of the family members of Adamu Abdullahi, an
employee of the University of Maiduguri Staff Secondary School.

The military men had stormed the Kaleri area of Maiduguri, combing for Boko Haram members who
had earlier in the day, launched a bomb attack against a patrol van of JTF which led to the death of some
of its men. When the soldiers stormed his apartment and pounced on him, his wife screamed on top of her
voice in a bid to save him.

The rampaging soldiers shoved her aside and shot her husband at close range. The shock was too much
for her to bear as she collapsed instantly. When Newswatch visited their residence, one of her neighbors
said that the woman was still in shock and not in the mood to talk.

These incidents capture the situation in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. People are killed at will.
On 12 Jul, more than three bombs exploded in different locations in the state killing scores of people.
Fear reigns now among the residents, forcing many to flee to neighboring states for safety.
 In the past two weeks, the scenario at the Borno Express Motor Park in Maiduguri evoked both
sympathy and fear as fleeing residents in their thousands rushed there, trying to catch a bus to take them
outside Maiduguri at all costs. Some had passed two nights there amidst stench of urine and excrement.

The crowd at the motor park on 13 Jul was so overwhelming that no mass transit facilities could have
conveyed them all within two days. But people were all desperate to leave notwithstanding the stench or
filth.

One of them, a student at the University of Maiduguri, told Newswatch that he had no place to go
except the motor park. His school was said to be a target of the Boko Haram though the sect's spokesman
denied it. But his relations in Maiduguri had already moved to Gombe to escape the incessant bomb
explosions that have become a daily occurrence in the town.

These are evidences of the extent of suffering people in the state are going through in their attempt to
get out of the scene of violence in Maiduguri. Some of them walk long distances as if they are going out
of the state. Adults, clutching both bags and kids battle to catch cabs.

Commercial drivers have also cashed on the situation to hike transport fares by more than 400 percent.
But some of the drivers are not contented with that. In a bid to make quick money, they drive so
recklessly to enable them make return trips and make more money.

This has resulted in loss of lives through by auto accidents. According to the National Emergency
Management Agency and the Federal Road Safety Commission, scores of passengers have died in road
crashes along the Maiduguri-Damaturu expressway in the process of trying to flee from the town. But
more residents are still willing to damn the risk and go far away from bombs and gun fires that have
plagued the town.

Worried by the deteriorating situation in this Northeast state, many states have come to the aid of their
indigenes by sending vehicles to evacuate them. Gombe State was among the first to arrive with a fleet of
about 30 buses. Kaduna State, for instance, attached a mobile police escort to each vehicle to and from
Borno State to bring back indigenes of the state.

Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Edo States have ferried their indigenes to safety. Edo State government evacuated
about 100 indigenes of the state studying at the University of Maiduguri. Also evacuated were some
pupils of primary, secondary and special schools who fled the violence and carnage along with their
elderly siblings.
 Mohammed Ali Abdulazeez, spokesman for the evacuated students and a 400-level student of
Economics, thanked Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo State for acting promptly and deploying
four luxury buses to Maiduguri to bring them back to the state.

He confirmed that the buses also assisted in evacuating about 50 students of Ondo State origin who
were dropped off in Abuja to the embrace of their state's representatives. Abdulazeez disclosed that the
rescued Edo students escaped from death and gathered at a relatively safe location away from points of
exchange of gunfire from where they contacted their state governor.

"As soon as we packed our bags, some of us gathered at Elkanemi Hall from where we got in touch
with the government. We could not just go out like that because the situation in Maiduguri is not
conducive. It is very dangerous because whenever there is a bomb blast, soldiers would just cordon off
the whole area," he said.

Kingsley Osholene, another 400-level student of Business Management, said that some of the students
did not have the opportunity of taking their bath from Tuesday, 12 Jul 2011, until they got to Benin. Alex
Ezekiel Ohue, a 500-level Mechanical Engineering student, commended Oshiomhole for acting quickly.

He also urged the governor to assist them financially, especially as some of the students lost their
properties when their homes were burnt by Boko Haram members. The authorities of the University of
Maiduguri had, in a circular signed by Babagana Aji, the registrar, ordered all students and staff members
to vacate the campus immediately for safety reasons.

The circular, released on Tuesday, 12 Jul, 2011, was tagged: "Suspension of Studies in the University of
Maiduguri." According to the circular, the committee of provosts, deans and directors at an emergency
meeting on 11 Jul, after critically assessing the security situation in Maiduguri and its environs had on
behalf of the Senate, decided to suspend studies indefinitely with effect from 12 Jul.

While receiving the students at the Government House, Oshiomhole decried the unabated bombings in
Borno State and the attendant destruction of lives and properties. Residents of the town who have not fled
have a lot of hardship to cope with, especially scarcity of essential products.

From bread to recharge cards, nothing is easily accessible any more in Maiduguri, which used to be the
trading hub in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. Essential goods, especially food items are lacking because
businesses have been grounded.
 Banks do not operate for more than three hours a day. In fact, some do not open at all. And for those
who visit such banks, they are only there to withdraw cash. For traders and craftsmen, whose businesses
thrive only under the atmosphere of peace and tranquility, nothing could be worse.

Their businesses have been severely crippled by the upsurge of violence in the state. Reuben Hassan, a
motor mechanic in Gomari area of Maiduguri, told Newswatch that he has been pauperized by the state of
insecurity in the state. "At least, 9S percent of my customers have fled the town.

And even when I go to my shop, I leave at about 12 p.m. otherwise, one may get stuck in traffic jam
because many people are usually on the road at that time to get home before 3 p.m. when the ban on
vehicular movement takes effect," he said. Most of the days, he makes just about N1000, which, at
normal times he would make in two hours.

At the Monday market, one of the major commercial centers in the town, activities have been grounded
in the past two weeks due to the mass exodus of people. For several days now, the town shuts down at 12
noon.

Though the state government's restriction on vehicle movements in Maiduguri is 3 pm, people hit the
road much earlier to avoid being caught in between the military law enforcers and Boko Haram fighters.

Undoubtedly, the worsening security situation has grounded the state's economy.

Newswatch learnt that a group of investors from Germany, who wanted to build a cement factory in
Maiduguri, have withdrawn from the project due to the activities of Boko Haram. The group was to arrive
in the state last week but shelved the plan.

Sources say that the plan of the group is to take the project to another African country. The group got
the approval of the late President Umaru Yar' Adua’s government for the project and had been on it for
about four years and had already finished the preliminary phase of the planning including site-clearing.

Construction work was set to begin only to be confronted by an upsurge of violence and bomb
explosions. Since the military campaign, code named "Operation Restore Order" began a couple of weeks
ago; Maiduguri has become a ghost town.
 The exodus of residents got to its peak on Saturday, 10 Jul, when suspected members of the sect
attacked the patrol van of the JTF in Kaleri, Jere local government area with an improvised explosive
device. The attack led to the killing of two soldiers and injuring several others.

It was also gathered that since no resident of the area came forward with concrete information about the
attackers, they were all considered to be silent collaborators. And so, the military descended on the
community that same night. It was alleged that scores of youths were shot and killed.

Some residents of the community told Newswatch that the rampaging soldiers, who were angered by
the loss of their colleagues, stormed their homes and ransacked everywhere. Houses and shops were
razed.

At the end of the campaign that lasted throughout the night, no less than 30 residents were killed
including a 13-year-old boy and Abdullahi, a staff of the University of Maiduguri.

Security operatives told Newswatch why the military did what they did. They said that the area was
notorious for harboring the militants who on many occasions had attacked their agents on patrol. The
source also added that those that had launched the bomb attack against the JTF patrol van that night of 9
Jul were residents of Kaleri.

He said that the JTF had no other choice but to comb the area. It was in that process that, according to
him, some elements of the sect engaged them in a gun duel. In the process, some lives were lost, the
source said.

On Saturday 16 July, a bomb exploded at the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri. The residents, fearing what
the JTF men might do to them, fled their homes. The deteriorating situation, especially the mass exodus
of residents outside Maiduguri, has led many elders in the state to call for the withdrawal of the military.

They argued that since the commencement of the military campaign against suspected Boko Haram
fighters, the security situation in the state, instead of improving, has only worsened. But Andrew Azazi,
national security adviser, has argued that the removal of the military would not be a solution to the
terrorism crisis in the state.

He said that soldiers deployed to any part of the country must behave responsibly at all times. He said
that when the soldiers become the target of bomb attacks, there was the possibility that they might react in
a manner not approved by the people.
 He enjoined all sides to cooperate with the military in dealing with the new phenomenon. Kashim
Shettima, the governor of the state, also disagreed with the elders who said that the continued presence of
the soldiers in the streets of Maiduguri has worsened the security situation in the state.

Rather, he said that their withdrawal would increase insecurity in the state. "With no intent to denigrate
nor question the motives of eminent personalities agitating for the withdrawal of the JTF from the state, I
regret to note that none has offered a tangible alternative to fill the security vacuum that will be created in
the event of the withdrawal of the JTF," the governor said.

The JTF has also denied reports that its men were using excessive force against innocent civilians in the
state. Jack Nwachukwu Nwaogbo, a Major General and the JTF commander, said that the lies against its
men were the handiwork of sponsors, sympathizers, and members of the sect aimed at discrediting the
task force so that the sect could have a field day.

He insisted that those killed were members of the sect, saying that his officers were professionals and
were in the state to restore order.

Also, many residents argued that the withdrawal of the military would only worsen the precarious
security situation in the state.

One security agent in Maiduguri, told Newswatch in confidence that the military campaign against the
Boko Haram elements was yielding results. "The military operation has severely crippled the operations
of the Boko Haram.

There are hundreds of checkpoints in and outside the state. Wherever they are, we will find them. Their
days are numbered. These bombs that they have been exploding here and there are a last minute show.
They want us to believe that they are still strong.

But they are not," he said, adding "What they are trying to do now is to create panic with their last
strength to lead us into thinking that they are still powerful. But I want to assure you that in less than one
month, you will not hear of any bomb explosion here."

The Boko Haram sect has become the nightmare of many residents of Maiduguri. Bombs have become
the major weapon of their warfare. In one Jumat prayer in Bulabilin Garnarn, one of their strongest bases,
a leader of one of the groups was quoted to have said that they were fighting a Jihad, a holy war against
those that are sabotaging their religion.
 According to the leader, the saboteurs of Islam include politicians, traditional rulers, security operatives,
and unbelievers. They vowed to cut down as many of their enemies as they come across.

Since July 2009, when they launched a major religious violence throughout Northeast Nigeria leaving
more than 700 people dead, their activities have not waned. Rather, it keeps increasing by the day.

They have killed scores of religious leaders, politicians, and security operatives, especially those who
dare to criticize them. Those killed by the sect include Abba Anas Ibn El-Kanemi, younger brother to the
Shehu of Bomo and Modu Fannarni Gubio, governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party in
Borno State.

He was immediately replaced by Shettima before the April 2011 elections. Gubio was killed alongside
Goni Sheriff, younger brother to the immediate past governor. On 9 Jul, the group made an attempt on the
life of Shettima, the governor of the state.

He barely escaped a bomb attack when he was on a condolence visit to AKotoko residential area in
Maiduguri. A 10-year-old almajiri boy was strapped with a bomb by suspected Boko Haram members
and was instructed to proceed towards the governor.

But as the boy approached the delegation of the governor, a security detail saw the strange boy and
quickly moved him away. The bomb was immediately spotted and the anti-bomb squad attached to the
governor's convoy managed to detonate it.

The governor was said to have wept profusely when he saw how far the group was willing to go to
actualize their satanic mission. A number of churches and pastors were also attacked by the group. For
instance, the group claimed responsibility for the bomb that exploded in St. Patrick's Church, Dadal.

Last month, the group’s attacks led to scores of death including those of children and women. Banks
were also not spared by the militants who used stolen cash from the financial institutions to finance their
operations.

The group had on several occasions attacked First Bank, Bank PHB, and Unity Bank, all in Maiduguri.
In these attacks, they carted away millions of naira and killed some customers and staff in the process.

But members of the group tried to justify the theft of banks' money in a conference telephone interview in
Hausa language with journalists in Borno State on 13 Jul.
 Abu Zaid, the group’s spokesperson, claimed that they attacked banks because the mode of operations
of the banks contravened the Sharia legal system and that they wanted to cleanse it from all forms of
illegalities.

But when asked whether robbery was permissible in Islam, Zaid said: "We had carefully investigated
the affected banks and found that the owners and majority of its depositors were big men who siphoned
public funds and kept them there.

We also discovered that even if we take the money, the government would definitely pay them." But
when told that small depositors, including students, traders, and low income civil servants also keep their
money in the banks, he said, "Small depositors will not be gravely affected."

But Newswatch learnt that the Boko Haram finances its operations from these stolen funds. Whenever a
member of the group is assigned a mission to kill or plant bombs, he would receive cash payments before
such assignments.

The amount he gets depends on the nature and risk associated with the operation. For instance, the 16
Jun attack on the Nigerian Police Headquarters in Abuja was said to have been carried out by one
Mohammed Manga, a Boko Haram adherent.

Though Zaid told Blueprint, an Abuja-based magazine, that Manga, who carried out the attack was a
fairly well-to-do businessman who had willed N4 million to his family before embarking on the suicide
mission, Newswatch was, however, told by sources in Maiduguri that the N4 million was actually what
the group paid him to kill Hafiz Ringim, the inspector general of police in his office.

It was also gathered that the said Manga was a taxi driver in Maiduguri. Before he embarked on the
mission, the sect members were said to have prayed for his corpse in advance before he later died in the
blast.

From what Zaid told the magazine, Manga was a 35-year-old married man with five children who drove
overnight from Maiduguri to Abuja, to carry out the deadly attack which left about five people dead,
including a police officer. "He had left N4 million in his will for his five children - two girls and three
boys before embarking on the fateful journey to the nation's capital," the magazine quoted Zaid as saying.

Penultimate week, another twist was added to the Boko Haram insurgency when Alimodu Sheriff,
former governor of Borno State, was spotted at the State Security Services office in Abuja. His visit came
shortly after Jeremiah Useni, chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, explained that the emergence of
Boko Haram was traceable to the former governor, who used them as political thugs.

"It started like a Borno affair but now it is becoming a national problem. I remember when I was the
deputy national chairman of the ANPP, I went to the state to commission some projects and when we
were driving along one of the major streets, I saw young boys selling petrol in jerry cans and I asked him
(the governor), why he allowed them to be selling on a major road like that and he said, "no, no, leave
them, they are very useful during the general elections, we can use them to turn everywhere."

But Sheriff described as lies the allegations that he formed Boko Haram, insisting that the sect had been
there years before he became governor. Sheriff, who spoke shortly after a closed-door meeting with
President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, also denied ever having such conversation with
Useni.

When asked whether the revelation by Useni was the reason he was invited by the SSS, Sheriff said no.
He said that he went to the SSS on his own but did not explain why.

Barely one week after the former governor dissociated himself from forming and bankrolling the
dreaded radical Islamic sect, an adherent of the group, however, said that instead of supporting them,
Sheriff operated a separate killer squad alongside Isa Yuguda, current Bauchi State governor, and
Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe State.

Ali Shekau, the adherent, told THEWILL, an online publication that Sheriff was not their member. "We
don't have anything to do with him. He is evil. He is a tyrant that worked in tandem with his colleague,
Isa Yuguda in Bauchi and Danjuma Goje in Gombe to undermine our movement.

Just as he tried to destroy us, God will surely eliminate him. All the three of them had their killer
squads. Goje had Yan Kalare, Yuguda has Yan Sara Suka, and Sheriff had ECOMOG. They all used
these groups to perpetrate mayhem that were blamed on Boko Haram at different times.

"But nobody blamed them. It was Boko Haram," Shekau said.

He also said that they were fighting the government because security agencies had chased and killed their
members. "We have no other alternative but to defend ourselves since we do not have any other person
that will fight for us except Allah. That is why we have been seeking ways to fight for our rights," he said.
 The three men had publicly apologized to the group but they seem not to be pleased with the apologies.
They have continued to mount series of bomb attacks against anyone that does not believe in their
ideology.

Last week, there was an indication that a faction may have developed in Boko Haram sect. This is
because of a leaflet being circulated in the state by a group which called itself Yusufiya Islamic
Movement.

In the leaflet, the group distanced itself with the bomb explosions in places of worship and the
assassination of innocent citizens. According to the leaflet, their struggle was against security operatives
and the former governor of Borno State over the killing of their leader.

They warned the other group that has been perpetrating criminality in the name of Jihad to desist from
doing so or risk being exposed by them. The group also announced a temporary ceasefire during the
Muslim month of Ramadan.

The federal government seems helpless in dealing with the menace of Boko Haram. Apart from the
government's carrot and stick approach in dealing with the situation and the military operations being
carried out by the JTF, there seemed to be no clear-cut strategy to address the menace.

Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State said that the situation in Borno would not have been this
bad if the government had been more proactive and alive to its responsibilities. According to him,
intelligence gathering was needed to fight Boko Haram and the government has failed because of inept
leadership.

Olisa Agbakoba, a senior advocate of Nigeria, blamed the government for failing in intelligence
gathering. He advised President Jonathan to vigorously shake up the framework supporting Nigeria's
security processes, which include the human intelligence, electronic intelligence, communication
intelligence, and photographic intelligence.

But Ibrahim Mohammed, a senior lecturer in the department of sociology, University of Maiduguri,
attributed the menace of the Boko Haram to the anger of deprived youths in the country. He said that with
the high rate of youth unemployment, all manner of crimes such as the activities of Boko Haram,
kidnapping and other vices were to be expected.

"There is a serious economic violence on the people and that is why those with violent intentions can
easily employ them. That is why religious organizations that talk about the youths get large followers."
 Boko Haram, which figuratively means "Western or non-Islamic education is a sin," is a controversial
Nigerian militant Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah laws in 12 northern states of Nigeria.
The group presently has an undefined structure and chain of command.

The official name of the group is Jama 'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda' awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means
"People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad." The literal translation is
"Association of Sunnis for the Propagation of Islam and for Holy War."

It became known internationally following sectarian violence in Nigeria in 2009. But residents of
Maiduguri, where it was formed in 2002, dubbed it Boko Haram. Loosely translated from the local Hausa
language, this means "Western education is forbidden."

Residents gave it the name because of its strong opposition to Western education, which it sees as
corrupting Muslims. The term Boko Haram comes from the Hausa word boko meaning "Animist, western
or otherwise non-Islamic education" and the Arabic word haram figuratively meaning "sin" but literally
means "forbidden."

Boko Haram opposes not only western education but also western culture and modem science. The
group came into existence in the 1960s but only started to draw attention in 2002. Mohammed Yusuf
became its leader in the same year.

In 2004, it moved to Kanamma in Yobe State, where it set up a base called "Afghanistan," from where
it attacked nearby police stations, killing police officers. Yusuf was hostile to democracy and the secular
education system.

He vowed that the "war that is yet to start would continue for long" if the political and educational
systems were not changed. In a 2009 BBC interview, Yusuf stated that the belief that the world is a
sphere is contrary to Islam and should be rejected along with Darwinism and the theory that rain comes
from water evaporated by the sun.

In 2002, Yusuf formed the Boko Haram in Maiduguri. He set up a religious complex, which included a
mosque and an Islamic school. Many poor Muslim families from across Nigeria, as well as neighboring
countries, enrolled their children at the school. But Boko Haram was not only interested in education.
 Its political goal was to create an Islamic state and the school became a recruiting ground for jihadists to
fight the state. In Bauchi, the group reportedly refused to mix with local people. The group members
speak only in Arabic.

In July 2009, the Nigerian police started investigating the group following reports that it was arming
itself. Several of its leaders were arrested in Bauchi, sparking deadly clashes with security forces which
led to the death of about 700 people.

On 30 Jul, 2009, Yusuf was killed in Maiduguri by Nigerian security forces after being taken into
custody. In January 2010, the group struck in the Borno State capital, killing four people in Dala
Alemderi ward, while the sect freed more than 700 inmates from a prison in Bauchi State.

In December 2010, members of the sect bombed a market and 92 of its members were arrested by the
police. Their activities peaked on Friday, 28 Jan, 2011 when the ANPP governorship candidate was
assassinated along with his brother and four police officers.

About a month after, the sect gave conditions for peace which included that Sheriff should step down
from office with immediate effect and that its members should be allowed to reclaim their mosques in
Maiduguri.

On 9 May, it rejected an offer for amnesty made by Shettima, the then governor-elect of Borno State.
Instead, the group intensified its atrocities against the state. On 29 May, it planted and detonated bombs in
some northern towns. About 15 people died in the blasts.

On 17 Jun, the group attacked the Force headquarters at Louis Edet House, Abuja. About 73 vehicles
were destroyed by the bombs detonated by a suicide bomber. Officials believed that the attack was the
first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history and that it specifically targeted Hafiz Ringim, the inspector
general of police.

Nine days later, on 26 Jun, the sect bombed a beer garden in Maiduguri. The militants on motorcycles
threw explosives into the drinking spot, killing about 25 people. On 27 Jun, another bombing in
Maiduguri attributed to the group, killed at least two girls and wounded three officers of the Nigeria
Customs Service.

On 3 Jul, another bombing of a beer garden in Maiduguri killed at least 20 people. The fear of Boko
Haram was said to have forced President Jonathan to receive Donald Cameron, the British Prime
Minister, in Lagos instead of Abuja on Tuesday, 19 July.
 At a meeting, Jonathan told his visitor that Boko Haram began as a religious agitation but has
snowballed into a monster. He, thereafter, promised to deal with the issue in order not to jeopardize
foreign investment in the country.

Now, more than ever before, security has been tightened at the nation's airports in Abuja, motorists are
frisked, especially at night to forestall bomb attacks. Last week, President Jonathan met with Shettima,
members of the Borno Elders' Forum, and politicians from the three leading parties with a view to finding
lasting solution to the crisis.

How long the nation will reel under the threat of Boko Haram? That is the big question.

[Description of Source: Lagos Newswatch in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Spokesman Says Northern Elites Formed Radical Islamic Sect

AFP20110728686006 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 28 Jul 11 p 11

[Report by Andy Osakwe: "Spokesman Blames Elites for Boko Haram Formation"]
Just when the federal government of Nigeria is seeking to unravel the faces of patrons of a new Christian
militia group called Akhwat Akwop, the Jama’atul Ahlus Sunna Lid Da’awatis Jihad, otherwise known as
Boko Haram, has promised to reveal soon, the identities of some prominent Nigerian northerners who
were brains behind the sect. This is just as the federal government is seeking to unravel the faces of
patrons of a new Christian militia group called Akhwat Akwop.

An adherent of late Muhammad Yusuf, the slain leader of the group, Mallam Ali Teshako, confessed
yesterday that the original brains behind the sect’s formation were northern elites, who under the pretext
of sponsoring youths to study in the Middle East, subsequently offered them as mercenaries to countries
interested in training terrorists.

Mallam Teshako who dismissed the Akhwat Akwop as another "group of vultures" that wants to feast on
the misfortunes of the apex government attributed its emergence to lack of good governance and injustice
in the country. "This is another group of thieves who want to seek relevance from the government,"
Mallam Teshako explained. Reports say that the spokesperson of JASLIDAT, also known as Yusufiyya,
named after its slain leader, said the original name of the group was the Taliban.

It added that the name Boko Haram was not the original name, but given to it by people in the states
where they have followers and have been clashing with security operatives.

According to him, when those who formed JASLIDAT thought that they could manipulate Yusuf into
towing their line, he resisted.

"If he were alive, he would have spilled the beans on them. But nonetheless, we will reveal their identity
at our convenience," Teshako stressed.

He said the clashes between the group and security operatives in the country were as a result of the
provocations by the police. He recalled that in 2009, the police who had shot dead two of their members
traced them to a cemetery where they went to bury them and wounded 20 more people.

"Still not satisfied they trailed those wounded to a hospital in Maiduguri and prevented them from getting
blood donations and treatments. In the wake of all these, we were hounded, chased from our homes, some
of us were killed and many were arrested, including myself," Teshako maintained.

However, former governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff, one of those alleged to have helped form
Boko Haram has denied the charge, saying the group was formed three years before he was elected
governor of the state. Sheriff of the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] was governor of Borno State from
2003 to 2011.

The former governor also denied issuing an apology to the sect and being quizzed by the secret police
[SSS] over the radical sect even though he admitted visiting the SSS headquarters a few days weeks but
failed to disclose his reason for doing so.
Answering questions from State House correspondents inside the Presidential Villa after a meeting with
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Sheriff was particularly upset at a statement credited to the chairman
of the Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF], General Jerry Useni (rtd), who yesterday accused him of
propping up touts for election purposes which he said led to the formation of the Boko Haram sect, just
like governors of some Niger Delta states maintained an army of touts that later became rebels and
militant groups in the oil area.

Useni said he warned Sheriff about the touts a few years ago but the then governor told him they were
useful during elections. "This report is not correct; I saw it on the pages of newspapers today. But since I
didn’t speak to General Useni, I gave him the benefit of doubt by not commenting on it but now that you
journalists say that he came here and he told you, that story was not correct. He said that he saw people
selling petrol on major streets of Maiduguri. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC] depot
in Maiduguri did not receive petrol from Kaduna refinery for over 15 years and marketers go to Kaduna
and Lagos get petrol and people buy it and sell. Innocent people cannot be Boko Haram. Boko Haram and
these boys selling petrol are two different things," Sheriff told journalists.

Continuing his explanation, he said, "In any case, I did not even introduce the selling of petrol in jerry
cans to Borno State it has been in existence before I came. If all the past military and civilian governors
in Borno State did not ban the selling of petrol outside petroleum stations, why should I come and ban
people who are legitimately earning a living. There is no responsible government in Borno State or
Nigeria that will allow a young man carrying arms on the street and be allowed to sell on the street. So
that report is most unfortunate and I am surprised that somebody like General Useni will be making a
public statement like this because of his age. I respect him and I also believe that he should always be
cautious when speaking in public otherwise, the age he has earned and the position he has earned would
be in question," Sheriff stated.

When asked his mission to the Villa he simply said as a former governor he has a right to see the
president to discuss important matters. Sheriff also added that the leader of the Boko Haram sect was
killed in Abuja five years before he was elected governor.

"Boko Haram has been in existence before I became a governor. The so-called leader of Boko Haram was
arrested and was executed in Abuja before I even thought of becoming the governor of Borno State.
People make comments on what they don’t know and in life, you don’t speak on matters that you are not
very competent. Whoever said that I am a mentor of Boko Haram is most unfortunate and it has no truth
in the statement.

Commenting on his alleged apology to the terrorist group a few weeks ago, Sheriff said, "I didn’t
apologize to Boko Haram. I apologized to every citizen of Borno State when I was leaving office in my
29 May speech. You can see that the Boko Haram said that they will stop what they were doing if the
governors of Gombe, Bauchi and Borno apologized to them publicly. The two governors have done
publicly. I only lifted from my 29 May speech on what I have done in the last eight years. I said I have
served them for eight years, I must have in one way or the other offended people. I ask everybody that I
have offended including Boko Haram to forgive me.
"But as we know when there is a problem, people want a solution to the problem that they found
themselves in. There are many ways of solving a problem but when people are carrying bombs and guns,
it is a serious problem that will need a solution. Since I left government I have not gone to Maiduguri and
therefore I don’t know what they say the Joint Task Force [JTF] has done. So at my level, I will never
make a comment on what I do not know," the former governor said.

Speaking on Boji Foi, a former commissioner in his cabinet, alleged to be a key financier of the sect,
Sheriff said, "I want to make this very clear. Boji Foi was a politician. He was a chairman of his own
local government before I became governor. And he was out of my cabinet two years before the Boko
Haram crisis and if everybody that served in my cabinet will do something and I will be responsible for it,
then no nobody can govern any state in Nigeria.

"They brought his name from his local government as a nominee and we appointed him commissioner
and at a stage, we found that he was not doing what we wanted and we did not re-appoint him. Before the
incident of Boko Haram, he was not in the government for two years. So we couldn’t have taken
responsibility and most importantly, I didn’t know when Boji was arrested or when he was killed and who
arrested him and who killed him," he said.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]
Report Says People Ironically Support Boko Haram Against Government

AFP20110729619001 Lagos TELL in English 25 Jul 11 - 01 Aug 11 24-27

[Report by Tajudeen Suleiman: "The Real Boko Haram"]

Residents of Borno State detest military operations aimed at curbing activities of the Boko Haram sect,
alleging that the operation have become the main problem heightening the security situation in the state
and disrupting efforts to hold corrupt politicians accountable.

A rough-looking boy dressed in faded black T-shirt and brocade trousers sped into Kashim Ibrahim
Road from one of the 'ghetto' streets of Abbaganaram on a bicycle holding a black polythene bag in his
left hand. Almost immediately, one of the soldiers at a security point hundred meters away shouted
furiously at him: "Kai come here, come here!"

The boy, who did not seem frightened, did a U-turn on the road, since very few vehicles now ply the
road and returned to meet the heavily armed soldiers stationed beside an armored tank. The stern-looking
soldiers ordered him to stop a few meters away and disclosed the content of the polythene bag as well as
his destination.

He complied without a grudge. Satisfied, the heavily armed men barked at him again to "go, go" as they
waved him off.

One of the soldiers later told the magazine that the Boko Haram people use these small boys to drop
bomb and explosives at their targets and along the roads to attack the military patrol. For instance, the
bomb that exploded near a military checkpoint at Bulumkutu two weeks ago that injured at least four
soldiers was said to have been dropped by a little boy.

Some residents of the area, who spoke in confidence, claimed that they saw the boy when he dropped
the polythene bag containing the explosive beside a huge billboard close to the checkpoint. But they dare
not talk for fear of a sure repercussion from members of the sect
 A 13-year-old boy was one of those killed in a military operation at Kaleri area of the metropolis on
Saturday, 9 Jul after members of the Jama 'atul Ahlil Sunnah Wada'atu wai Jihad, popularly called Boko
Haram, dropped a bomb inside a military tent in the area killing 19 soldiers.

The military, however, said that only five soldiers were wounded by the bomb. A few days later, at the
three-day funeral prayer for Ali Kotoko, a prominent citizen of the state at his residence in Maiduguri, a
boy carrying a home-made bomb in a polythene bag was apprehended by alert military personnel before
he could drop it.

The bomb was targeted at the colorful crowd of prominent politicians gathered for the prayers. They
include Ibrahim Bunu, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Bukar Ibrahim, a senator, who
was also a former governor of neighboring Yobe State.

Victor Ebhaleme, a colonel and spokesman of the joint task force, confirmed to the magazine that the
sect make use of young almajiris (street beggars) to perpetrate bomb attacks against their targets, usually
the police, politicians of the ruling All Nigerian Peoples Party, and lately, the military. "They use these
little almajiris to commit their atrocities. You know that Borno State has the largest concentration of
almajiris in the country."

In the last six months, bombings and gun attacks have become daily features of Maiduguri and residents
in volatile areas now stay indoors or walk around the neighborhoods with their radio and handsets to
know areas where another bomb has gone off.

It is a survival strategy in a city fast turning into a killing field. The city has been arrested by terror as
many markets and shops remained closed. Most non-indigene residents of the city continue to flee in spite
of assurances by Governor Kashim Shettima that they would be protected.

Nnamdi Ojukwu, an Igbo trader and one of the few motor spare parts sellers that opened shop last week
said that he had decided to stay because of his faith in Maiduguri. It took time to persuade him to speak to
the magazine and when he did, he refused to be photographed.

"Since 1982 when I came to this town, I have never witnessed the kind of things that are happening
now. I believe things would get better since the government and the security people are looking into it,"
he said.

But majority of the residents especially those in settlements on the outskirts of Maiduguri where the Boko
Haram group find convenient for launching their gun and bomb attacks, are not as optimistic and they
wished that the soldiers were never brought into the city.
 But since the federal government took over control of the state security with the establishment of a new
Joint Task Force, code-named ‘Operation Restore Order’ nine weeks ago, the battle to flush out Boko
Haram has become fiercer.

Residents have complained that the soldiers break into their homes and kill innocent young men in the
name of looking for Boko Haram sect members. The soldiers have also been accused of indiscriminate
burning of houses and cars in areas where bombs were dropped by members of the sect.

The morgue of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital is filled with corpses of young men
killed in military operations.

At Kalen, where the soldiers allegedly killed over 40 people in a counter-operation, the magazine spoke
with 10 young women widowed by the military operation. Saudi and Habiba, both wives of Mohammed
Abdul, allegedly killed by soldiers on 9 Jul, said that they watched the soldiers shot their husband after he
was dragged out of his room.

"I started crying and asked them to kill me too since they have killed my husband but they pushed me
away and said that the government did not ask them to kill women," Saudi told the magazine, holding her
six months-old child in her left hand. The two wives both have nine children.

Talatu, another widow, who is also an orphan, claimed that the soldiers broke into their home and shot
her husband, Audu Fulani, in her presence and those of their five children. Her husband was 38 years old.
She alleged the soldiers also made away with the sum of N250, 000 from their bedroom.

"They said my husband is Boko Haram member but he was not a member of the sect. I know that he
was not a Boko Haram member "she said, with tears gushing from her eyes. Talatu pointed at a burnt
house a few meters away from theirs and said that it was the residence of Adamu Abdulahi, a teacher at
the University of Maiduguri who was reportedly killed during the military operation at Kalen.

His car, allegedly burnt by the soldiers, was seen on the road a few meters to his house perhaps, an
indication that he was driving home when the soldiers struck. His neighbors said that he showed his
identity card to his killers but they still shot him.

The military’s attempt to flush out the sect from Maiduguri may have increased widowhood in the city
and hundreds of children may have been orphaned. All the widows who spoke to the magazine in the
affected areas claimed that no one cared about them.
 They say that they heard that the state government has promised some succor but they were yet to be
contacted. A statement issued to justify the house-to-house search by the military accused some members
of the public of shielding members of the Boko Haram, and of having prior information about attacks
against the military.

The statement, signed by Ebhaleme, warned the public of the consequences of collaborating with the
sect. The military has insisted those killed in their operations were members of the Boko Haram, but the
sect has replied that those the soldiers killed were innocent people and not members of the sect.

The fear of being caught in the crossfire between the sect and the military, many say, was responsible
for the mass exodus of people, mostly non-indigenes, out of Maiduguri. Indigenes are also moving from
unsafe zones to safer ones. Most shops are still closed at the hitherto busy Bank of the North area, Ramat
Shopping Complex, Mammy Market in Wulari, and other places.

In a city where majority live on daily earnings, forced holidays of the last few weeks could be
dehumanizing. Public recreation places - beer parlors and food canteens, have remained closed. Many
hotels are forced to close because of lack of patronage.

Ezekiel Benue, a manager at Rahama Lodge, located on the highbrow Damboa Road, one of the safe
areas of Maiduguri, told the magazine that the hotel might be forced to close if the situation continues for
another week. "We run the hotel on diesel because there's no electricity supply, and when customers don't
come, where would you get the money to continue?" he asked in frustration last Monday.

Maiduguri may be turning into another Afghanistan unless the government finds a solution soon.
Governor Shettima, in a broadcast on the state radio and television stations last week likened the situation
in the state to what is happening in Afghanistan where Talibans have engaged the government of Ahmed
El-Kazai in a sustained terrorist battle to bring it down.

He appealed to the Boko Haram group to lay down arms and embrace peace. Quoting from the speech
of the Afghan president at the burial of his brother killed by the Talibans, Shettima said: "It is easy to kill,
anyone can do it. But only a real man can protect his fellow men."

The gripping tension, insecurity, and suffering occasioned by the military actions and the mass exodus
of people from the state capital has led to a debate on the propriety of the government's response to the
security challenge. The Borno elders, who have been silent since the crisis started in 2009, have asked
President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw the military from the streets of Maiduguri, citing human rights
abuses.

Abu Zaid, spokesman of Boko Haram sect, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on telephone, also
gave the withdrawal of the military from the state as condition for dialogue. He alleged that the military
has subjected innocent civilians to "humiliation, brutalization, extortion, and undue hardship."

He said that the ban on motorcycles, which was a security measure by the government, had rendered
many jobless and forced people to relocate. He said that only 19 of their members have been killed since
2009 till date.

But the state government has challenged the elders demanding military withdrawal to suggest "tangible
and sustainable" alternative security measures in the absence of the military. Governor Shettima said in
his broadcast that the elders have failed to give the government any other practical alternative measures to
be taken if the military is withdrawn.

Since July 2009, when members of the Boko Haram, who refused to obey the state law on wearing of
helmets for motorcycle riders were shot in the legs by soldiers, Maiduguri and its environs have been
under the terror of the sect and residents have lived in fear.

It worsened in the last few months as the sect stepped up its campaign against the state, the police, and
now the military drafted in to flush them out and restore normalcy.

The Boko Haram crisis is not a subject the people discuss in the open and there is hardly anyone willing
to volunteer information on them. In Kaleri, Abbagranam, Limanti, Sheuri-North and South, where
Shettima, the state governor alleged members of the sect are concentrated; no one admitted ever seeing or
knowing a member of the group when the magazine visited the communities last week.

They are thickly populated communities in the neighborhood of the palace of Shehu of Borno. In other
parts of the city, a similar stonewall is erected once the inquiry is about the activities of the sect. Those
courageous enough to speak would only say they do not know them.

The magazine was told about an incident that happened in a mosque after the early Morning Prayer. A
man took the microphone and prayed that God should expose members of the sect terrorizing the state.
But before the congregation could say Amen, the Imam grabbed the microphone and dissociated himself
from the prayer.
 Yet, a source close to the late leader of the sect, Mohammed Yusuf, who guided the magazine on a tour
of the Boko Haram flashpoints in the city, told the magazine that the people know the sect members but
would not give any information on them. He gave two reasons why the people are unwilling to volunteer
information on the group.

Other sources, who spoke to the magazine on condition of anonymity, gave similar explanations for the
silence on Boko Haram members. One of the reasons is that members of the sect have shown that they are
capable of being ruthless with people who try to give them away.

For instance, seven members of the Michika community in Maiduguri who threatened to reveal their
identities to the security agencies were killed in their homes last year. The Michika people are mostly
Christians from Adamawa State who sell grocery, tea and bread. Most of them are said to have fled after
the incident.

The magazine was also told that a young man in Lamisla, who gave information to the police about the
Boko Haram was killed a day after. "The people are afraid that they will be killed if they give out
information.

But they know the people and they see them when they return from their operations and enter their
houses," a source disclosed. Moreover, the magazine gathered, the sect had long warned residents through
leaflets written in Hausa and in text massages about the danger of giving information to the security
agencies.

Even the media is not spared from the threat of the Boko Haram. Most of the atrocities committed
against those opposed to them are not reported in the local media and the national dailies. The group has
gagged the media from reporting them in bad light.

Some staff of the Nigerian Television Authority and that of the Borno Radio and Television Station
have been banned by the group from reporting for the stations through text messages sent to the GSM
numbers of their bosses.

Lydia Samson, the beautiful presenter at the NTA network centre in Maiduguri, was one of those forced
to go off the air. The sect reportedly warned Mohammed Daniya, the zonal director, against allowing her
and a few others from reporting on air.

The lady, out of fear for her life, is said to have fled the city while she awaits response for her request
for transfer. Ironically, a large number of the people appeared sympathetic to the Boko Haram mission
and are willing to support them against the government.
 Many said that Boko Haram, especially under Yusuf, its late leader, preached against the excesses of
politicians. The alleged that moral depravity of most members of the political class is believed to be one
of the reasons why the sect advocated for an Islamic state where there would be justice, not just for the
rich and powerful, but for every common man.

The extrajudicial killing of Yusuf by the police and several members of his sect, allegedly on the
instruction of a very influential state government official at the time, put a political coloration to the
crisis. The attack on the sect, the killings, and the destruction of their mosque in Railway Area of the city,
was believed to have been at the instance of the said political leader.

Since then, the sect had declared war on Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor and his party and all those
perceived to be close to his government. All the people assassinated by the sect since 2009 were ANPP
members or relations and supporters of Sheriff.

Prominent party members and government officials have all gone into hiding. The administration of
Governor Shettima has managed to perform state duties largely because of the heavy police and military
presence in the state.

Murtala Ahmad, a Muslim cleric and state coordinator of the Humanitarian Aid and Development
Centre of Nigeria, explained the situation in the state as the consequence of "money politics" played by
politicians in the state. He said that politicians lavish taxpayers' money in an environment of mass poverty
and youth unemployment.

He said that the politicians were promoting rascality, corruption, and immoralities that have made
groups like the Boko Haram relevant in their society. "Why would the people not sympathize with the
Boko Haram? Boko Haram is not the one killing them and abusing their rights; it is the government and
the military.

People saw the killing of innocent people by the police and the military in 2009 and the way
Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the sect was killed, even though he was unarmed and in handcuffs. People
see and experience injustice every day and you think they will not be happy to watch their tormentors die
one by one? No, just tell me why the people will not have sympathy for the Boko Haram?"

Some of the residents told the magazine that they had no problem with the Boko Haram group because
the sect is not fighting them. They see it as a government versus the Boko Haram conflict, but the military
response to it has made it the problem of everybody.
 Adamu Mohammed, a 60-year-old community elder in Bulumkutu area, where there have been several
explosions in the last four weeks, said; "We don't have problem with the Boko Haram; our problem is the
police and the military that harass and kill our innocent people. They call every Muslim a Boko Haram."

The manner of Yusuf's killing by the police after he was captured by the military and handed over to the
police, made many people, especially politicians in the opposition parties in the state to accuse Sheriff of
complicity in the rising militancy of the sect. It also became a political weapon used to demonize Sheriff
and his party in the hope of capturing power.

It also alienated many in Sheriff's party. Ali Ndume, the former minority leader in the sixth House of
Representatives, but now a senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, said that the former
governor must take the blame for what is happening in the state today.

He said that Sheriff ignored the advice of well-meaning elders and members of his party on how to deal
with the Boko Haram. He claimed that Sheriff's leadership style was one of the reasons why people like
him left the ANPP.

Bukar Mandara, one of the Borno elders, corroborated Ndume’s story and said that Sheriff must be held
accountable for the crisis in the state because of the way he handled the Boko Haram issue.

Many people told the magazine that Sheriff must be made to face the law if Boko Haram is to stop its
killings in the state.

It is one of the conditions given by Sadau Garba, the lawyer of the late leader of the sect, for peace with
the sect in a letter he wrote to President Jonathan on 11 Jul. He also asked Jonathan to constitute a judicial
commission of enquiry to investigate the extrajudicial killings of the members of the sect in Borno and
Bauchi states.

The Boko Haram was instrumental to Sheriff's loss of the election to the Senate. On the eve of the
senatorial election, the sect warned ANPP agents and supporters not to show up at the polling units or risk
death. Sheriff did well in six of the eight local governments in the Borno Central Senatorial District but
lost woefully in Maiduguri and Jere - two local governments where Boko Haram is strongest.
[Description of Source: Lagos TELL in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Report Says Boko Haram, Soldiers Turn Maiduguri Into Nightmare

AFP20110729619003 Lagos TheNews in English 25 Jul 11 - 01 Aug 11 14-16, 18-20

[Report by Funsho Balogun: "Methods of a killing Machine"]

From a marginal Islamic sect employing gunmen on motorbikes to spread terror, the Boko Haram has
developed into a more sophisticated terror machine, using methods that shock and awe.

In April 2007, a band of Islamic militants carrying assault weapons attacked a police station in the
Panshekara District of Kano. They killed 13 policemen and set the station ablaze. It took a 24-hour battle
waged by the army, supported by ground attack airplanes before the militants could be subdued.

That was the first encounter many people in northern Nigeria would have of the Yusufiyya sect, now
well known as the Boko Haram. Led by the late Mohammed Yusuf, a disciple of Kano-based Muslim
cleric, Sheikh ]afar Mahmud Adam, many members of the sect would later relocate from Kano to
Maiduguri, the home of Yusuf after ]afar and Yusuf, who used to visit the former in Kano to seek
knowledge fell apart over Yusuf's extremism.

Some Kano-based clerics who spoke to TheNEWS last week, were of the view that Yusuf's loyalists
were behind the brutal murder of Sheikh Jafar inside the Dorayi Central mosque on 13 Apr 2007, while
he (Jafar) was leading morning prayers.
 They hinged their position on the open rift between both men which saw them exchanging words
through cassettes sold to their loyalists in Kano and other northern towns. Secondly, Yusuf's supporters
were said to be fond of storming Sheikh Jafar's mosque to rudely interrupt his homilies after both men fell
apart.

While Yusuf opposed western education and contended that it bred corruption, Jafar, who was trained
in Saudi Arabia, saw nothing wrong in western education With the death of his mentor turned-rival,
Yusuf spread his tentacles across the north east and north west.

His new adherents were encouraged to leave their homestead and relocate to Maiduguri. This ensured
that he will never be short of foot soldiers.

In the year 2008, the Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema received a security report of a huge exodus
of men and women from Dutsinma town in his state to Maiduguri to team up with Yusuf. It was not from
Katsina alone that such migration took place.

The men were usually given training in weapons handling and this made the Boko Haram operatives to
be so effective in their drive-by assassinations. Foreigners from Chad and Somalia were alleged to have
trained them m guerilla tactics, making of improvised explosive devices, and marksmanship.

Indeed, about a dozen pictures of policemen killed by the Boko Haram members, made available to
TheNEWS last week, showed that most of the cops were shot in the head. This is the best proof yet that
they (Boko Haram men) had good training in handling automatic weapons.

Today, Yusuf's group is beyond a shadow of doubt the biggest thorn in the flesh of President Goodluck
Jonathan’s administration and the ruthlessness of its killing campaign has spread fear in the hearts of
many all over northern Nigeria.

It has contrived to turn Maiduguri, its base and killing field, into a ghost town. With long queues of
residents fleeing, belongings perched atop their heads and children being dragged along in quick steps,
Maiduguri,the capital of Borno State, are a facsimile of war-time Baghdad.

Heavily armed and feral-looking soldiers dot the streets, routinely ordering commuters out of vehicles
as they conduct searches for bombs and other weapons. The air is dense with panic; so dense that it
chokes.
 Suspicious glances are the norm. Hearts no longer beat; they thump violently, as people scurry away,
hopefully in time before the next act of terror unfolds. Maiduguri may not be hell yet, but it cannot be
more than a few streets away.

In the last three weeks, the scale and frequency of violence, authored by the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna
Lidda'awati wal Jihad, an Islamic sect known locally as Boko Haram, has ripped out the soul of the city.

Socio-economic activities are at an all-time low. Bombs explode regularly, killing huge numbers of
people, especially at drinking dens in the city. The University of Maiduguri was closed down on 12 Jul,
following the discovery of a threat letter, purportedly from the Boko Haram, calling for a closure of the
institution before the end of this month.

The letter, dated 10 Jul read: "Our next target now is the university, which is our main target right from
time. We give the school authorities till end of this month or before the beginning of Ramadan to release
you all. If not, something very bad will happen."

Governments of states, especially in the South, moved to evacuate their citizens, some of them students
of the university. But a spokesman of the group, who identified himself as Abu Zaid, told journalists via a
telephone conference that the letter did not emanate from the sect. "It is belittling on our side to attack
university students when our targets are places like the Aso Rock, the presidential villa and other high
profile places in Abuja," he said.

Southeasterners resident in Maiduguri have been one of the worst hit categories. Between 10 and 16 Jul,
Igbo traders, who dominate the Maiduguri commercial landscape, fled the city in large numbers. So did
people from other parts of the country, with some vowing never to return.

Commercial motorcycle operators, whose business has been outlawed, have also been mortally hit.
They have been leaving the city in large numbers. Igbo traders, some of whom had fled Maiduguri before
the latest round of violence, claim that they are the prime targets of robbers believed to be Boko Haram
members, who usually arrive armed on motorbikes and in broad daylight to relieve them of huge amounts
of cash. Often, claim the traders, the robbers also kill.

Robbery incidents are said to be common on Ahmadu Bello Way, the hub for trade in machine and
automobile parts; Baga Road, dominated by building materials merchants; and the Bank of the North
area, where Igbo traders also sell auto spare parts.
 About three months ago, Igbo traders complained to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar El-
Kanemi, who had promised to intervene on their behalf. The nature of the intervention, if it was made at
all, remains unknown and has had no effect

The Shehu himself is considered bad news by the Boko Haram, which murdered his brother, Abba
Annas, on 30 May. Annas, an officer of the Civil Defense Corps, was chatting with his friends at the
entrance to the Shehu's Palace when he was gunned down.

The sect, which obeys its own rules only, clashed with the Borno monarchy during the 2009 Ramadan
period, when it announced that its members would pray at a time not in consonance with the time the
generality of Muslims pray. This prompted the former Shehu, Alhaji Mustapha Umar El-Kanemi, to order
the sect to rescind its decision.

But it was an impotent order and the late Shehu, apparently unwilling to irk the sect, backed down. The
authority of the current Shehu, a retired permanent secretary, is not recognized by Boko Haram members,
which consider him ineligible for the position.

The Shehu was installed by Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno State, whom the sect accused
of involvement in the arrest and eventual killing of Mohammed Yusuf, its leader, in 2009.

The spark for exodus of Igbo from Maiduguri was the death, from heart attack, of one MC Tony, a
building materials merchant who had shops at Gwange Zuwa Dawuri Junction. In April, four armed Boko
Haram members arrived in Tony's warehouse and robbed him of N500,000.

Five weeks later, they returned and made away with a similar sum. Shortly after the second raid, Tony,
46, suffered a heart attack and died. In between the raids on Tony, furniture showrooms in the Gwange
area were attacked by people suspected to be members of the Islamic sect.

The raid led to the killing of three of the Igbo traders. At Mairi, Sabon Layin, and Umarari areas, Igbo
owned drug stores also suffered the same fate. At Mairi and Umaran, the shop owners were also gunned
down after being robbed.

Last month, Maiduguri, a city not accustomed to news of bank robberies, was badly shaken by a raid on
the Finbank branch on Bama Road. Six men, said to be Boko Haram members, went to the bank on
motorbikes, detonating 12 bombs along the way.
 They gained entry into the bank, killed the security guard for attempting to close the gate and snatched
three cash-loaded bags. As they left, they shot into the air and also threw up crisp naira like confetti.

People who had fled the streets at the sound of gunfire suddenly ran out of hiding to pick the cash.
While that was going on, another Boko Haram squad was shooting joyfully at the Gwange Police Station,
located beside the bank. The assault on the police station left five policemen dead.

Zaid admitted that the sect had carried out two bank robberies because banks support causes that
contravene Islamic injunctions. "The banking system in Nigeria does not allow small depositors of
between N20, 000 and N100, 000 to bear the loss of a failed bank.

Rather, it is the government or the top management of the banks that bear the losses. Anybody who
knows the operations of the banks will realize that we are not touching the poor people's money and Islam
has obligated us to do so. So, big banks like Bank PHB, Unity Bank, and First Bank fall under the banks
we will continue to attack, Insha Allah," Ziad said.

While the sect has claimed responsibility for bank robberies, killing of traditional rulers, ward heads,
and numerous politicians, they have never taken responsibility for attacking Igbo traders.

There are indications that the sect is already factionalized. A month ago, a prominent member, Al-
Wazihri, was disowned through a statement issued by a group within the sect. Before then, Al-Wazhiri,
who functioned as the spokesman, was held in high esteem within the group.

He frequently related with the international media. He is said to have been suspected of working with
security agencies and some politicians to break the ranks of the sect.

Late last week, a bolder evidence of rift was supplied by the threat of a faction, the Yusufiyya Islamic
Movement [YIM] to expose the other group, which it described as evil. The YIM is made up of followers
of their slain leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

In an unsigned two-page statement distributed as leaflets last Tuesday, the YIM condemned attacks and
bombing of residences and places of worship by the other faction that claims to be waging a holy war in
the North. "The Yusufiyya Movement has come to mean different things to different people in the last
few months.
 This confusion and misinterpretation have made it necessary for us to come out publicly with the clear
truth regarding our concept, struggle, aim, and ultimate objective, as our declaration would guide in
distinguishing the Yusufiyya movement from the various labels ascribed to us, as the Boko Haram," the
statement read in part.

The YIM explained that it was moved to adopt its new stance because of the concern expressed by
individuals and groups to the suffering of innocent citizens in the sect's fight with the security apparatus
of the state and the prospect of reconciliation, through dialogue, with the federal government.

The statement then enunciated the group's objective. "Ours is a clear fight for the blood of our founder,
Mohammed Yusuf and other leaders who were slain in cold blood by former governor of Borno State
(names withheld), the former Borno State Commissioner of Police and the late President Yar’ Adua," it
said. The YIM added that the former president has been called by Allah in an answer to the sect's prayer
for support against his aggression.

"Finally," added the YIM, "we have resolved to temporarily halt our fight against the assassination of
our leaders in compliance with the prohibition of fighting in the holy month of Ramadan."

The spokesman for the Joint Security Task Force [JTF], Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed, confirmed the
distribution of the leaflets by Boko Haram factions and temporary ceasefire in Borno State. The split
within the sect, perhaps, would lift the mood in Maiduguri, which has been turned into a suburb of hell by
the Boko Haram.

The group's credentials as an audacious collection of murderous men have been strengthened by the
bomb attack on the Police Headquarters in June. It has also emerged that it has affiliates in other
countries, where members are sent for military training. Sudan, Somalia, and Mali are three of such
countries.

Three months ago, some of its members were arrested in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State and
birthplace of the group's executed leader. The arrest, at a police checkpoint, was the product of a tip-off.
Many of those arrested were found carrying Malian passports and a vast collection of ammunition.

Boko Haram's hard men bona fides have been exhibited without restraint. Last month, it bombed pubs
at the Mammy Market at Wulari Police Station and in the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri. While no
official casualty figures were released for the incident at the barracks, the Bulumkutu bombing claimed
over 25 lives.
 For the Boko Haram sect, the bombings served a dual purpose - an advertisement of its readiness to
enforce Islam's abhorrence of alcohol and its disdain for security agencies accused of killing of its
members.

At a press briefing through the telephone, on 12 Jul, the Boko Haram reiterated its conditions for a
ceasefire.

Apart from its oft-stated desire for the Islamization of 12 Northern states, the sect also demanded that
the JTF be withdrawn from Maiduguri. Last week, when President Goodluck Jonathan met with elders
from Borno State - the Northeast elders and leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF] over
insecurity in the North, it was resolved that the military will remain in Borno State until peace is restored.

Mr. Labaran Maku, the minister of information and communication, who briefed reporters after the
meeting, said that all the parties agreed that the army should remain in the state till further notice. "There
were broad-based consultations on the outcry for the withdrawal of military.

But in the light of this discussion, the meeting generally agreed that it is premature to withdraw the
military. What was needed was that if there are cases of individual misbehavior by members of the Joint
Task Force, the authorities will look into those cases," he said.

This is unlikely to appease the Boko Haram wing committed to an out-and-out war against the state and
some residents, who feel that the JTF has gone beyond its peace-keeping brief. The heavy presence of
gun-wielding JTF men on street patrol in Maiduguri and its environs has not completely snuffed out Boko
Haram threats, but it has reduced them.

But just like the sect, the sight of the JTF continues to spook residents. This has continued to attract
calls from prominent Borno elders that the soldiers be withdrawn. A statement signed by a group of
Borno elders said: "Hundreds of youths have been shot dead by soldiers for no reason other than them
being young people."

One of the elders told TheNEWS that he buried four young, innocent youths in his neighborhood on 11
Jul and that he is unsure whether their killers were Boko Haram members or soldiers.

Prominent figures in the state like Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Alhaji Bukar Bolori, retired General
Abba Kyari, and Air Vice-Marshal Al-amin Daggash are of the view that the soldiers constitute a threat to
the public. They have called for their replacement by competent policemen.
 "The soldiers have been burning down houses, killing innocent people, looting private property,
harassing innocent passersby, and even burning down cars and raping young girls," alleged the elders in a
statement. After two early morning explosions on 12 Jul on Baga Road, JTF men allegedly fired into the
air as people fled the scene.

The shooting was said to have continued till late in the evening. A Volkswagen Golf car, bearing
passengers, got in the way of the bullets, which killed three of its occupants. The driver survived, but was
gravely wounded.

The JTF claims that the gunmen were Boko Haram members but bystanders claimed that they were
farmers. Instructively, no weapons were found on them. All through last week, the long stretch Road, a
commercial part of Maiduguri, was cordoned off and shops and offices on street could not open for
business.

Passersby were ordered by soldiers to put their hands above their heads as they walked through the
checkpoints. The orders were accompanied by threats like ‘give am one bullet" and "shoot am down."

Last week, commuters leaving and entering Damaturu in Yobe State, complained about the activities
JTF men, who searched vehicles and bodies for weapons. The exercise resulted in a traffic gridlock that
wore out commuters' patience.

Many of them were overheard questioning the effectiveness of the searches, saying that no Boko Haram
member will take bombs or weapons through an established checkpoint. On the surface, that sounds
plausible but the sect was capable of doing the implausible, with the bombing of the Police Headquarters
the model of the genre.

On 16 Jun, the car park of the Police Headquarters in Abuja went up in smoke following a blast from an
explosive-laden car driven into the premises. The attack, which claimed at least two lives, came barely 24
hours after the inspector general of police, Hafiz Ringim, boasted that the Boko Haram would be
suppressed in a matter of days.

The explosion took place shortly after Ringim's convoy rolled into the compound. The bomber was said
to have followed the police boss’s convoy and got into the premises in spite of efforts to dissuade him by
policemen riding in the convoy's last vehicle.

The driver of the bomb-laden car attempted to park the car beside that of the police boss but was
stopped by a traffic warden, who forced him to move to an adjacent parking space. The traffic warden,
who entered the vehicle to direct him to the car park, was blown up along with the driver as soon as they
got to the park.

The explosion affected, according to the police, 700 cars, with half of them destroyed. The Boko Haram
wasted no time in claiming responsibility for the incident, which is regarded as the first ever suicide
bombing in Nigeria.

The adoption of suicide bombing seems to have achieved a variety of objectives. It advertised the group
as one with an intrepid, come-get-us attitude. Two, given that it is generally more destructive than other
terrorist attack the scale of destruction achieved was huge.

It also suggested to the public that an assailant ready and willing to die is much more likely to
accomplish his aim of causing maximum damage target. In addition, the shock element of the incident
also added to its media impact.

Until recently, the sect’s trademark was the use of gunmen on motorbikes, but there has been a big shift.
From gunmen on motorbikes, their activities have risen to another level. The group first gained prominent
attention in 2009 with a deadly and well-organized assault on Maiduguri and Bauchi, which claimed an
estimated 700 lives.

The attempt of the government to rein in the group led to shoot-outs in the streets. Hundreds of Boko
Haram supporters were killed and thousands of residents fled Maiduguri. When the government security
forces finally seized the group's headquarters, capturing its fighters and killing Yusuf, its leader, the round
of violence ended. But the killing of Yusuf proved incapable of diluting the sect's resolve.

The group has continued to advocate its opposition to Western civilization including education and
political system. The sect's slain leader, Yusuf, once told the British Broadcasting Corporation that
Western education spoils the belief in one God.

"There are prominent Islamic preachers, who have seen and understood that the present Western-style
education is mixed with issues that run contrary to our beliefs in Islam," he said. "Like the rain, we
believe that it is a creation of God rather than an evaporation caused by the sun that condenses and
becomes rain.

There is also the saying that the world is a sphere. If it runs contrary to the teachings of Allah and we
reject it. We also reject the theory of Darwinism," he added.
 Since 2010, the sect has executed high-profile and powerful terrorist attacks. In September 2010,
members of the sect stormed Bauchi prison, freeing 700 inmates. Some of those freed were its members.
The group said that it did not want its members to undergo court trials influenced by Western legal codes.

Last February, the group also claimed responsibility for the murder of Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio, the
gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria people's Party. Ali Modu Sheriff, governor of the state, had
described Gubio's death as politically-motivated until the Boko Haram sensationally claimed
responsibility via posters pasted in Maiduguri.

The group also claimed responsibility for a series of bombings, following the inauguration of President
Goodluck Jonathan, the killing of the Shehu of Borno's brother as well as Islamic clerics, who criticized
their activities.

The sect has also widened its sphere of influence and range of activities, which were once limited to the
Northeastern part of the country. From a marginal, violent and radical Islamic sect, the Boko Haram has
grown into an insurrection that seems to have gained more widespread support.

The group claimed responsibility for the Christmas Eve bombings in overwhelmingly Christian-
dominated areas of Jos in Plateau State. Officially, the death toll was put at 32, while 74 people were
listed as injured. On 10 Jul, a bomb went off at the All Christian Fellowship Centre in Suleja in Niger
State.

The explosion, according to official information, claimed three lives and left many injured. The Boko
Haram also claimed responsibility for the attack, showing that it has the capacity to operate outside its
immediate environment.

Abu Zaid, who spoke for the group in the wake of the attack on the Police Headquarters, was quoted by
the Abuja-based Blueprint newspaper as saying that the group has members from all over the country.

Different beer garden bombings, targeting revelers in Maiduguri, have also taken place. The most
sensational occurred on 26 Jun, killing 25 people and wounding 30 others. Shortly after, 10 people were
killed in a car bombing incident in Maiduguri.

For those fleeing Borno State, things have been tough. Almost everything on wheels is overloaded with
desperate residents. At Tashan Kano, a major motor park beside the NYSC Orientation Camp in
Maiduguri, transporters have become lords.
 Major transporters, who normally solicit for passengers, now have more requests than they can cope
with. By the morning of 15 Jul, any intending passenger who got to the park even as early as 6:30 a.m.
was told to add his or her name to the already long list of passengers who may be lucky to find a seat on
buses bound for Aba, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Lagos and other destinations, four days after.

Desperate travelers now resort to bribing touts offering seats on already fully-booked buses. The
situation is the same at the other motor parks. Intra-city transport is equally hellish.

The ban on motorcycles, either for commercial or personal use, has resulted in an acute shortage of
means of transportation. The only option to waiting endlessly is to proceed on long treks. Alhaji Kashim
Shettima, the governor of Borno State, has continued to urge patience and has assured residents that the
government will soon provide means of moving around.

According to the governor, 7,000 tricycles and 100 brand new buses will soon be made available for
intracity transport. Operators of commercial motorcycles - the dominant means of transportation before
the crisis in Maiduguri, are relocating to states like Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and
Sokoto, where their business is not allowed.

[Description of Source: Lagos TheNews in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Threatens To Attack Kano State 'If' Members Not Freed

AFP20110729581011 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 29 Jul 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Release Our Members, Boko Haram Tells Kwankwaso, Bayero"]

Members of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram yesterday said
security agencies have arrested many of their members in Kano State and called on Governor Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso, the emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero;, Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi and Dan
Masanin Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.

They threatened that if their members are not released immediately, they will launch attacks in the ancient
city of Kano, just like what is happening in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In a letter signed by Abu Zaid, the spokesman of the group which was sent through an email, the group
said the present security situation in Maiduguri, coupled with attacks on security agents, ward heads,
politicians and the subsequent bomb blast in some part of the country including the force headquarters
suicide bomb attack was because their members were arrested and killed two years ago without reasons.

The letter said: "Every one may say it (attacks) is unfortunate uncalled for or what have you, but truth is
sacred and will remain so even if people don't like it."

"Having got the clear picture of what happened, it has come to our notice that the present Police
Commissioner, Director State Security Service (SSS) and ward heads have jointly started arresting our
members in your state (Kano).

"Therefore, our member should be allowed to stay where ever they wish. We did not touch you, therefore,
our members (Muslims) should not be touched.

"These same security agents' attitude made Maiduguri which was known as home of peace before to what
it is today. This ugly attitude must be check and stopped with immediate effect and all those arrested
should be released immediately, other- wise, I swear with Almighty Allah, we may be forced to deploy
our men to Kano and make it worse than Maiduguri by the grace of Allah," they said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]
Nigerian Top Muslim Leader Says Sect Not Behind All Violence

AFP20110729646002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1552 GMT 29 Jul 11

["Nigerian top Muslim leader says sect not behind all violence"-- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, July 29, 2011 (AFP) - Nigeria's top Muslim leader has urged authorities to stop blaming
an Islamist sect for all violence in the country's northeast, hit by scores of recent bomb attacks, and pursue
those responsible.

Sultan of Sokoto Sa'ad Abubakar also criticised a deployment of troops to the region, with soldiers
accused of brutal raids that have allegedly left dozens of people dead and houses burnt.

"Most of the crises in the northeast are not caused by Boko Haram sect, so we have to ask ourselves,
'Why is there violence in the northeast? Who are those behind them?'," the sultan said late Thursday.

"The government must fish them out and tell us those responsible for the crises. This thing did not start
today. Stop blaming every violence on Boko Haram," the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims told other
clerics in the northern city of Kaduna.

Nigeria's northeast, particularly the city of Maiduguri, has seen almost daily bomb blasts and shootings in
recent weeks blamed on the sect known as Boko Haram.

There has been intense speculation over whether some of the violence has been politically linked, as well
as the sect's source of support and financing.

The sect has claimed to be fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria, Africa's most
populous nation of 150 million people split roughly in half between Christians and Muslims.
Hundreds of troops have been deployed to Maiduguri to deal with the violence and have in turn been
accused of serious abuses.

"If members of Boko Haram are known, then what is the best way to solve the problem? The problem
cannot be solved by violence. The problems cannot be solved by drafting soldiers to cities where there is
(a) problem," he said.

Boko Haram launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead.

It seemed to reemerge last year with shootings by gunmen on motorcycles of police, soldiers, politicians
and community leaders.

Bomb blasts have become more common in recent months, with most occurring in Maiduguri, though an
explosion ripped through a car park at police headquarters in the capital Abuja last month and several
blasts have occurred in Suleija, near the capital.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill Police Auditor, Informant in Borno

AFP20110730598001 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 29 Jul 11

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Boko Haram Kills Police Auditor, Informant in Fresh Attacks"]
Security personnel are still endangered species in Borno State. After a few a days' lull, armed men of the
Boko Haram sect have resumed their hostilities.

Twice on Thursday, suspected gunmen of the group struck in Maiduguri, the state capital. As usual, their
targets were policemen, whom they shot and killed. One of the victims was the auditor of the Nigeria
Police Force (NPF) headquarters, Simon Amos, 48. The other was an informant to the Police in Bama,
Hassan Zaki, 45. The two incidents occurred at 3.45 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Amos was killed at his residence in Jiddari ward of Maiduguri at 3.45 p.m. before his son, Ali Simon,
who raised an alarm that this father was shot in the chest and head by two suspected gunmen with a
Kalashnikov rifle hid under their flowing gown.

The murder of the auditor and informant were confirmed by the state Police Commissioner, Simione
Midanda yesterday. He said: "Yes, it is true that one of our official in the Abuja office was shot and killed
by two suspected Boko Haram gunmen at about half past three in the afternoon.

"We received the distress call yesterday (Thursday) at 4 p.m. when his son cried that 'daddy is
killed...daddy is killed' over the phone from their Jiddari residence."

Midanda said barely two hours after; another distress call was received from the Bama Divisional Police
headquarters that one of the Police's informants and butcher in the town was also shot and killed by two
suspected armed Moslem sect on a motorcycle taxi.

He told The Guardian that this brings to two, the people killed by the suspected armed Islamist sect in
Bama.

He said the information officer, in the state's Ministry of Information, Modu Mala Fara, was recently
gunned down by members of the sect on a motorcycle taxi at his residence at 8.45 p.m.

According to him, no arrests were made in the two attacks and killings in Maiduguri and Bama.

And three weeks after the ban on commercial motorcyclists in the state, Governor Kashim Shettima, has
raised a 12-member panel to identify those affected by the July 7, 2011 action.
The state government plans to distribute tricycles to unemployed youths, commercial motorcycle
operators, clubs and associations at 33 per cent subsidy of N200, 000 each.

Inaugurating the panel at the Government House, Maiduguri, Shettima said the distribution and sale of
tricycles are aimed at overcoming job losses and offering other means of livelihood to the people affected
by the recent ban.

He gave the terms of reference of the panel as including the drawing up of mode of distribution and sale,
recovering of tricycle loans; and documentation of all the beneficiaries and other information that could
prevent default in repaying the tricycles' loans to the state government.

The governor urged the affected residents to exercise patience, as the tricycles would be given out as soon
as the panel submits its report.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Ekiti Governor Accuses Northern Politicians of Creating Islamic Sect

AFP20110730598002 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 30 Jul 11

[Report by Femi Ibirogba: "Boko Haram, Creation of Northern Politicians - Fayemi"]

Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that the Boko Haram sect is a creation of northern
politicians who want to hold on to power, adding that religion is a ready tool to recruit impoverished
youths into such a group.
Dr Fayemi said this on Thursday at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-
Ife, while delivering a lecture on Socio-economic Development in Western Nigeria: Challenges and
Prospects, organised by Ekiti Development Network, an association of academics from Ekiti State.

He said regional system of government, in which more power and resources are given to each region, was
the best instrument for transforming Nigeria.

Speaking further on the crisis of Boko Haram, Fayemi added that the issue was a debate on democracy
and Nigeria, saying political transition in Nigeria had not led to demilitarisation of the system and had not
translated to societal development.

These, he said, were factors aggravating violence, Boko Haram crisis and post-election violence.

"The political structure that produced President Goodluck Jonathan is now breaking the North apart. Boko
Haram was a creation of politicians in the North, who were bent on holding on to power, and religion is a
ready mechanism for recruiting people into such a group.

"As long as we have the unemployed people and the impoverished, the manipulators will always have
their way," Fayemi said.

He also attributed the Boko Haram crisis and the prevalence of violence and crime in the country to loss
of culture of compromise and tolerance; loss of culture of dialogue and high rate of unemployment.

He blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for extending authoritarian and military styles of
government into his administration, which, he said, had inpacted negatively on the country.

Speaking on the failure of the political structure in Nigeria, Fayemi said, regional system held the key to
development in the country.

He said collaboration, if properly explored and utilised, would bring rapid development among states in
the Western Nigeria, adding that Western states were planning to build a concensus on growth and
development of the region.

"Our quest is to return the West to the path of honour and accelerate development.
"Regionalism will not destroy the national structure or unity. It will rather promote it. It simply implies
giving more power and resources to a region.

"I do not believe in destroying the Nigeria state. I believe the national structure should be limited in
power and resources," he added.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

AFP: Al-Qa'ida Releases Video of British, Italian Hostages Kidnapped May 2011

EUP20110803765001 Paris AFP (North American Service) in English 03 Aug 11

[AFP headline-"Video shows Briton, Italian hostages 'held by Al-Qaeda'"]

A British man and an Italian kidnapped in May in northern Nigeria appear for the first time since their
capture in a video sent to AFP Wednesday in which they say their abductors are from Al-Qaeda.

The roughly minute-long video sent to AFP in Abidjan is the first proof of life of the engineers since they
were kidnapped from their apartment in Nigeria's northwestern Kebbi state on the border with Niger.

It was not clear when the film was made and this was impossible to verify independently.

The video shows the hostages blindfolded and on their knees. Three men holding weapons stand behind
them, their faces hidden by turbans.
The hostages give their names, which AFP has chosen not to make public, and each deliver a statement
urging their governments to meet the demands of the kidnappers, whom they say are from Al-Qaeda.

The Italian hostage refers to "these Al-Qaeda people", while his British colleague asks his government "to
meet the demands of Al-Qaeda."

However no details of the abductors or their demands are given.

The engineers work for the B. Stabilini construction company, founded by Italians but based in Nigeria.
They were kidnapped on May 12 by gunmen who stormed their apartment in Birnin Kebbi, capital of
Kebbi state.

Police said at the time that a German colleague managed to escape by scaling a fence, while a Nigerian
engineer was shot and wounded.

The video is accompanied by photographs of the hostages without their blindfolds. A source close to the
case told AFP on condition of anonymity that the photographs are "about 10 days" old.

The British Foreign Office and foreign ministry in Rome refused to comment about the video and
photographs.

Abductions are rare in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria although there have been several kidnappings for
ransom in the south, around the oil-producing Niger Delta region.

Al-Qaeda's north African branch, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has claimed kidnappings of
foreign workers in neighbouring Niger in recent years, but never in Nigeria.

The Islamist Boko Haram sect is active in northern Nigeria, where it has carried out a series of deadly
attacks, but there has been no indication so far it has ever been involved in kidnappings.
[Description of Source: Paris AFP (North American Service) in English -- North American service of the
independent French press agency Agence France-Presse]

Nigeria: Radical Islamist Sect Considers Ceasing Hostility in Bauchi State

AFP20110804683005 Islamic Brothers Blogspot in English 04 Aug 11

[Unattributed report]

Hypocricy

The hypocricy of governor patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state and other northern state governors.
Last year during the Ramadan period, he and others approved money for the feeding of the Muslim
ummah who were under-priviledged in their state solely meant to impress and to curry favour of the
electorates, as elections were behind the corner then. Now that they are in power, they have not deemed it
fit to re-introduce the feeding programme for the less priviledge. Hypocricy of the highest order. only
Bauchi state government has so far approved the sum of Naira 339 million for this year feeding
programme for the less priviledge in the state. and with this gesture, we will consider ceasing hostility in
Bauchi state, except when provoked or underfire from the enemy.

[Description of Source: Islamic Brothers Blogspot in English -- Website used as messaging outlet for the
Boko Haram Islamic extremist group known for staging terrorist attacks in Nigeria; URL:
http://yusufislamicbrothers.blogspot.com/ ]
Senator Asks Islamic Scholars to Demagnetize Brain-Washed Boko Haram Members

AFP20110804619004 Lagos Insider Weekly in English 01 Aug 11 - 08 Aug 11 32-33

[Interview with ACN Senator Chris Ngige, former Anambra State governor by Insider Weekly
correspondent by Titus Akhigbe in Benin City; date not given]

Senator Chris NwabuezeNgige, former governor of Anambra State, and a chieftain of the Action
Congress of Nigeria, spoke to journalists in Benin City on a number of burning issues affecting the
nation. Titus Akhigbe, Assistant Editor, was there for INSIDER Weekly

Q: There is this rumor that you may abandon the legal battle as regards the governorship election since
you are now in the Senate, is that true?

A: No, no, no, I have not abandoned the governorship legal battle. I went to court to challenge two
things. First, I said that the man who was declared winner did not meet the constitutional requirements.

He has majority of the votes cast quite alright but he did not score 25 percent of all the votes cast in 2/3
of all the Local Governments in Anambra state. Anambra state has 21 local governments and 2/3 of 21
should be 14.

He has that percentage in 13 but they are claiming that what we are talking about was that all the votes
cast were not valid. In the INEC manual, they defined all these things. That is the first leg.

Then the second leg is the voters register. Seventeen percent of people in Anambra State were alleged to
have voted and that 17 percent translated to about 203,000 voters. Out of it you have 1.8million voters.
 The issue of whether that registers was valid, that is the big question. Can we start to go for an election?
INEC has partially answered it.

After their retreat in Uyo they declared that Nigeria’s voters’ register was faulty and in particular that of
Anambra and Akwa Ibom States. So, the question becomes when you deprived people of voting, people
who registered and they turned out on Election Day and their names were not seen, and the people are in
the majority, about 83 percent, can such an election said to be in compliance with the Electoral Act?

We are saying no it should be nullified and a fresh election should take place. So, the case is still on as a
matter of fact the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, delivered judgment two days ago, saying that we
should go back to the Tribunal that a new tribunal should be set up for us to try the case de novo.

So, we are waiting now for the Court of Appeal to give us a new tribunal to try the case. Some people
say ah but Ngige has become a senator why does he want to pursue this matter, is that not greed? But I
say those people are short-sighted.

We went to court to enforce our fundamental human right to fair hearing and justice. It is me today; it
can be another person tomorrow. So what we are doing is not Chris Ngige, we are going there to make
sure there is justice in the land.

If the court decides any way I will take the result, we are even deepening our democracy with our quest
that the right thing be done. It is not a question of Chris Ngige being governor or not, I have been
governor before so even if I don’t become governor again nobody can take that away from me.

So, I am fulfilled. The two elections are not the same; one is the National Assembly while the other is
the governorship. So saying that I should abandon it because I am now a senator is not the issue. The
issue is the cardinal principle of justice.

Q: It seems you enjoy having political battles with people; recently it was with Prof Dora Akunyili, how
do you feel always in a battle?

A: I am a man of battle all my life. From the time I was in the secondary school I have never had it
easy. And I am not scared of battle. When I wanted to go to the university to read medicine, we were
8,000 people vying for 81 chances.
 It was battle royal, we did the first entrance they said that there was a second entrance just like the post
UME you have now. And I passed after that and joined the university. I joined the civil service and I met
bullies there too.

I met a bully as a director and I battled him. I am not afraid of battles. I became governor and I met a
President (Obasanjo) who was a bigger bully and we battled ourselves to a standstill. He gave me wounds
and I gave him wounds too.

I am ever battle ready. I don’t look for battles but once justice is not there I will not run away from it
because I am not a coward. I will stand to fight.

Nigerians are mostly cowards, they will say why fight after all I am not the only one suffering. But I
don’t have that principle of your not the only one. Once the thing is at my door step and if it is not the
right thing, I will stand there and battle you.

God has been kind to me, I lose some of my battles, I win some but at the end of the day I always win
the war. That is the important thing. As for Prof. Akunyili, she is my family friend, I don’t want to discuss
her but it is good that we are in this political logjam now and it affords one the opportunity to re-appraise
the relationship we had in the past and know whether that relationship was blossoming because one is
gaining from you or the other way.

It is unfortunate that we found ourselves in this situation. Unfortunate in the sense that at least Prof.
Akunyili came to solicit for my blessing as former governor of the state sometime in October last year
and she came again in December.

That time I had not made my interest known because my party had not told former governors that we
are the ones that will carry the party’s flag in the senatorial elections so that we can make our party alive.
And that was what I did.

Apart from the fact that going to the senate has been my dream ever before because the legislature
offers you the opportunity to say your mind on issues which in the executive you cannot do. When I
declared, I told her and I told the governor of the state.

They wished me well and I wished them well too. But when we started the fight to get votes they did so
many unorthodox things which I will not talk about now. But at the end of the day I was declared winner
the first time, but they said no.
 They got INEC to cancel some wards which were my stronghold. I got the decisive votes from those
areas. We went back and as God will have it, even though they allocated votes to themselves, I overtook
them and I was declared winner again.

Initially they said that they won’t go to court, Akunyili said that she needed a rest but I was alarmed
when I was served court paper barely one month after that. But we are in court with her now and because
they have found out that their petition is technically deficient, they now applied that it should be
transferred to another court, that the tribunal is bias.

We have been given a new date of 25th to come back now and we are hopeful that God will see us
through.

Q: What is your focus in the senate?

A: The 7th senate will be the best Nigeria will have. As a matter of fact, the 7th National Assembly will
be different. We have many former governors there and apart from that, we have people who came from
the House of Representatives.

We have also some senators coming back for third term and fourth term like the senate president. So the
membership is already a qualitative one. Again Mark as senate president is very experienced; he went to
school and versed in many ways.

So, he knows the politics of the place. So we have good leadership. And when Senator David Mark
wanted to come back, some of us voiced our apprehension about the image of the senate. And we knew
that one of the cardinal things that made the image bad was the so-called jumbo pay.

And before we came in we surveyed that issue of jumbo pay and we discovered that actually it was not
a question of salaries and allowances of senators that were called the jumbo pay, it was a misconception.

Whatever they took in terms of allowances and salaries were as prescribed by the Revenue Mobilization
Commission, so it is constitutional. It is this same commission that fixed the salaries of President, Vice
President, Judges, senate president and National Assembly members.

So, the National Assembly members did not breach that. What people misconstrued as jumbo pay was
the running cost of the National Assembly. And that was what Sanusi was alluding to that it was gulping
25 percent of the national recurrent expenditure not the entire budget.
 Overhead cost, which includes refreshment, fuel, stationeries and others, so this is what is called
recurrent expenditure. So in order for the National Assembly to feel the pain of the ordinary Nigerians,
we advised that these must be slashed.

And the senate president, being the chairman of the National Assembly, consulted with former Speaker
Bankole before we were sworn in. And they agreed that the money must be slashed and after we were
sworn in he informed us that some of those things we were talking about before swearing in have been
taken care of 40 percent slash of the recurrent expenditure.

And it is a very big sacrifice because it means that even the travels and tours the funds were slashed.
And from this recurrent expenditure you take care of your own constituency offices and sometimes it is
actually very expensive because you have to open constituency offices in your area like I am planning to
open seven constituency offices which I will furnish and employ people there.

So, I want the Nigerian public to understand this in its true perspective. Some of us are comrades, we
feel for the masses. We are in the National Assembly now to protect the interest of the masses.

Not the interest of the elite like myself. We cannot do that anymore. So, we are going to make laws that
will benefit the common Nigerian. Take for instance the New Wage Bill we will support it to the fullest.

If it means some constitutional amendment so that the states can get some money, we will do that. But
at the same time we are doing it the states should also look inwards to generate more money. I was
governor of a state before and I know that the potentials to generate money are there.

If there are areas of conflicts with the federal government, we will make sure that these states
appropriate back those powers that can give some financial autonomy and independence.

Q: Recently the senate screened the ministers and they have since been given portfolios. What is your
take on this?

A: From the screening we did, we knew the ministers that will do well. We know those whose
performance will be above average, average, and below average. And let me tell you, committees in the
senate will do serious job this time around.
 Places where we suspect, we will ensure that very knowledgeable people are made chairmen of
committees of that particular ministry or agency. Or even qualified members will also be put in such
committee.

Our committees, we will look at sensitive areas of needs of our people such as power, everybody needs
electricity. Our economy must have to grow. Then good roads, that has to do with the Ministry of Works.

Whatever happens, there will be very important to us such as the Ministries of Housing, Health,
Education, Finance, and Economy. Not as if any committee will not be important but I want to tell you
that this senate will focus on these ministries mentioned because of Nigerians.

We will support the president to do the right thing. I know we are in opposition but as a matter of fact,
we are the ones that will even save him from his party men and women. We know the behavior of the
PDP members. We are in opposition and I am happy to be in opposition.

Q: What will you say on the Boko Haram issue?

A: It is a socio-political religious problem. We need jobs for these people to keep them busy. We need
skill acquisition centers. When people apply skills they will discover that they will make more money
than those working in the offices.

With that, they will stay out of trouble. This is the social aspect of it. If you go to the political angle,
some politicians used them during elections. We have some big people backing them. Those people also
believe that they can destabilize the government.

Then the religious aspect of it, this is where the Imans and Mallams who teach the Holy Koran should
come in. These people have been brain-washed that they are fighting for Allah and that everything
Western education is bad.

So, we must re-orientate them. The Islamic scholars have big job in their hands now for this country. If
they are patriotic to this nation, they should move in now. I know that other Mallams are afraid to go into
the matter seriously because of the dangers involved.

The security agents must rise to the occasion. It is not enough to start playing politics with security now.
I noticed when I was governor that the State Security Service and the police hardly collaborate.
 This is not the time for it. The office of the national security adviser must stand up and be useful. And
the job of that office is the coordination of all the arms of security and the enforcement of all security
laws is very necessary.

The politicians who are doing this should be fished out because they want to destabilize both the state
and federal governments. Again, schools, skill acquisition centers should be opened everywhere. This is
the reason why there is kidnapping everyday in the Southeast. Politicians recruit such people because they
are idle.

Above all, the government and the elite should know that we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder. If
we do not do something to make majority of Nigerian people to be happy, things will go bad, we might
lose Nigeria and we don’t pray for that.

The government must encourage education, it is a weapon against poverty, and it is a weapon against
ignorance. Once you have gotten education, you have fought poverty, disease, and ignorance.

So, this is the cardinal thing. People should be treated for malaria free of charge and pregnant women
must get the same free treatment. These are social security issues we need to tackle.

[Description of Source: Lagos Insider Weekly in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Borno Police Chief Says Task Force not Replacement for Police

AFP20110804686004 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 04 Aug 11 p 13

[Unattributed report: "JTF in Borno not Replacement for Police, Says Commissioner"]
The newly posted Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Simeon Midenda, on Wednesday said the
police command would not be intimidated from carrying out its functions of protecting life and property,
adding the police would defend themselves if they were attacked.

Speaking on Wednesday in Maiduguri at his maiden press briefing on the challenges of security in Borno
State, Midenda said," We are not at war with anybody or group but we are empowered under the law to
defend ourselves if attacked".

Midenda, who was posted to the state two weeks ago, also said that the Joint Task Force [JTF] drafted by
the federal government to quell the Boko Haram insurgency was not a replacement for the police in the
state.

The Police Commissioner stated that the police are still in charge of keeping law and order in the state,
stressing that JTF, which is a conglomeration of all security outfits, including the police, was set up to
tackle a specific task and once that is over, it will cease to exist.

"The police are important component in the JTF; we shall continue to play the roles expected of us in that
regard as mandated by the federal government in restoring peace to Borno State. Our functions are
beneficial to all; if people understand our duties as enshrined in the law, they would realize that it is
pointless fighting us", he said.

The former Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations urged every one in the state to assist
the police to restore peace to the state. His words; "the challenges of safety of life and property in Borno
State have been on the front burner for quite some time. That is the more reason we solicit the support and
cooperation of everyone and every shade of opinion in our quest to provide a safe and secure environment
for all and sundry".

Meanwhile the Borno State Police Command have arrested 14 suspected Islamists linked to bomb attacks
on a church and police stations that killed 14 people early this week in Maiduguri.

Borno State police spokesman, Lawal Abdullahi confirmed the arrests and said on-going investigations
would determine the level of complicity of the suspects in the attacks while the police are still on the
lookout for other suspects. "We have made 14 arrests of suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram
sect in connection with Tuesday’s attacks," declared Abdullahi.
Several bomb explosions and gunshots rocked the city on Tuesday in attacks suspected to have been
staged by members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for other
attacks targeting soldiers and policemen, community and religious leaders as well as politicians.

A Pentecostal pastor with the Church of Christ in Nigeria was among those killed in Tuesday's blasts
while a Catholic Church targeted in the attacks was badly shattered.

The Tuesday blasts rocked the Borno fire service headquarters, Ramat Square parade ground and the
central Dandal area of Maiduguri. The suspected Boko Haram members also attacked three police stations
and hospital and sources said five bodies were brought in from one of them. "I am still receiving reports
from the various divisions but I can confirm that Gwange and Dandal police stations have been attacked,"
Borno state police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi said.

Boko Haram sect launched an uprising a little less than two years ago, but it was brutally put down by
security forces.

Members of the radical group, which says it wants a wider application of sharia in Nigeria, has carried out
almost daily attacks in and around Maiduguri in recent months. An unnamed influential cleric critical of
the sect was shot dead as he left a mosque in Biu, some 200 km south of Maiduguri, on Monday
afternoon.

A spokesman for the group also claimed responsibility on local radio last week for co-ordinated bombs
that killed at least 16 people.

The government and security agencies have made no public comment on who might have been behind the
29 May attacks beyond saying that investigations are underway.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]
Nigeria: Muslim Brotherhood Frowns at Boko Haram's Stance on Western Education

AFP20110805606002 Abuja Leadership in English 04 Aug 11 p 2

[Report by Samuel Aruwan: "There's No Boko Haram in Islam - Muslim Group"]

The Association of Muslim Brotherhood of Nigeria [AMBON] has argued that there is no prohibition of
Western education in Islam. In a communiqué issued in Kaduna at the end of its meeting, which was
signed by its national president, Abu-sufyan Ibn Abubakar, and national publicity secretary,

Aminu Tahir Tinau, they said there was an urgent need to put across the true teaching of Islam to avoid
misrepresentation. AMBON said: "First and foremost, the public, especially the Ummah, is not being fair
to this group called Boko Haram. As for our own assessment, there is no Boko Haram in this country.
Their concept must be understood. Let us all be fair in our utterances to them. And for Ulama, they
should do their best in engaging them in discussions and understanding. They are our brothers. Let them
be brought back to the correct Islamic religious teachings."

It further appealed to the sect to halt its violence on the nation and embrace peace and dialogue.

"Boko Haram which has become a menace to the people and security agents should sheathe their sword.
While we appreciate the federal government's commitment to resolving the issue amicably by arresting
and prosecuting security agents who carried out extra-judicial killing of the leader of the group and other
members - which shows remorse by the government - the continued bombing of, most times, innocent
citizens must be stopped and the group should accept the olive branch extended to them by the
government in the spirit of Islam."
The communiqué also frowned at some practices they considered un-Islamic: "A new innovation which is
now taking a new dimension is the Walima graduation of Islamiyya School. Instead of the normal call
together of friends and relations for these occasions, it has reached a stage of sewing of dresses, which is
now introduced, and groups now carry out their celebration. They go overboard in their excitement and
happiness and, not only that, there is a tremendous waste of time, food and money

[Description of Source: Abuja Leadership in English - Privately owned daily]

Nigeria: Report Says Suspected Islamic Sect Members Arrested in Niger State

AFP20110808581009 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 08 Aug 11

[Report by Taiwo Adisa: "SSS Arrests Lagos-Based Boko Haram Kingpin in Minna"]

Some operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were said to have swooped on key chieftains of the
dreaded Boko Haram sect in Minna, Niger State at the weekend where they effected the arrest of seven
chieftains.

It was gathered that the lead suspect is a Lagos-based businessman, whose name was given as Yusuff.

He was said to have made Minna his operational base in recent times and was said to have been present in
the state on two occasions when bombs went off in Suleja.
Sources in the administration told the Nigerian Tribune that six other loyalists of the said kingpin were
arrested in a swoop by the security forces.

Sources further confirmed that serious surveillance had been mounted on the said Yusuff for sometime
now, especially when it was confirmed that his visits to Niger State coincided with the two bomb blasts
that rocked the state in recent past.

"The man claims to be a businessman in Lagos but he comes into Niger State on occasions. In recent
times, his lifestyle has changed and he was around in the state during the bomb blast in Suleja before the
election and the one that happened recently in a church," a source said.

The arrest was said to have been effected on Saturday, with six others linked to the Boko Haram sect also
arrested the same day in the state.

The suspect is said to have been linked with another highly placed person, whose identity is being kept
under wraps, a source said.

"The said Yusuff is usually in the state when bombs explode and he promptly returns to Lagos afterwards,
so people watched him overtime and they discovered some strange movements. The close watch led to
the arrest of the kingpin and six others," a source stated.

It was learnt that security chiefs have commenced further investigations to possibly link the man with
operations of Boko Haram not only in Niger State but across the states of the North.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
Bomb Blast Wounds Four Policemen in Northern Nigerian City of Bauchi

AFP20110808539003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1144 GMT 08 Aug 11

["Blast Wounds Policemen in Northern Nigeria" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 8, 2011 (AFP) - A bomb blast near a patrol team wounded four policemen in the
violence-hit Nigerian city of Bauchi, where suspected Islamists have launched a string of attacks, a Red
Cross official said Monday.

"The bomb, which from all indications was planted along the pavement close to where a police patrol van
was stationed, went off and four policemen on duty were injured from shrapnel," Adamu Abubakar told
AFP.

He said the incident happened around 11:30 pm on Sunday around Bauchi's central market and no group
has claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest in northern Nigeria in recent months.

Bauchi state police spokesman Mohammed Barau said a policeman and a bystander were injured in a
separate attack on Saturday when gunmen opened fire on a patrol team in the city.

"A joint military-police patrol team was ambushed in the Dutsen Tenshi area of the city by unknown
gunmen who opened fire on them, injuring a policeman and a bystander," he said.

He said no arrest was made as the attackers quickly fled the area, notorious for allegedly harbouring
members of the radical Islamist Boko Haram sect, which launched a failed uprising in 2009 brutally put
down by the military.

Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of deadly bomb attacks and shootings in recent months, most of
which have occurred in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.

In July, police raided a house in the Dutsen Tenshi area said to be a hideout for sect members, killing
three and recovering arms.
Boko Haram staged a prison raid in September last year in Bauchi, freeing more than 700 inmates, and
claimed to be behind bomb attacks on an open air beer garden at a military barracks on May 29 when
President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Religious Leader Urges Nigeria To Resolve Islamic Sect Crisis Through Dialogue

AFP20110809598005 Lagos This Day Online in English 09 Aug 11

[Report by Mohammed Aminu: "Boko Haram: Sultan Advocates Dialogue"]

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, has called on the Federal Government to
identify individuals behind the Boko Haram debacle and engage them in dialogue with a view to
resolving the issue.

Speaking during a dinner with journalists in his palace in Sokoto on Sunday, the monarch maintained that
by identifying the leadership of the sect, it would enable the Committee on Security Challenges in the
North-east set up recently by government to urge the military and the sect to stop hostilities and embrace
dialogue.

He noted that many innocent people were killed in Borno State in the last few months, pointing out that,
dialogue is very critical because even wars are fought to keep peace.

The monarch chided those individuals who are calling on the federal government not to dialogue with the
sect, saying they don't want peace to reign in the country.
According to him, the situation in Borno is very complex because those behind the violence are not
known and as such the onus is on the committee to look out for the leadership of the sect and engage them
in talks in order to identify their demands.

"The situation in Borno is very complex; you cannot dialogue with somebody you don't know, so the
committee should look out for the leadership of the sect and find out what are their terms. They should try
to find who are their leaders and spokesmen and reach an accord with them in order to have a ceasefire,'

"In fact, the committee should find a way to appeal to the leadership of the sect to stop bombing and come
out from their hiding place while the Joint Task Force should also ceasefire in order to stop the
bloodshed. Talking is very important and is critical to finding an amicable solution to the violence," the
monarch advised.

The Sultan observed that field operation was the most difficult aspect of military operations due to the
fact that the members of the religious sect are not known.

He described the wanton killing of innocent citizens as pathetic and stressed the need for the JTF to
adhere to the rules of engagement in order to minimise casualties.

On Islamic banking, the monarch emphasised that most people are struggling to meet up with their basic
needs and lack the money to patronise such banks.

He described Islamic banking as an economic venture and wondered why Nigerians are dissipating their
energy on the matter while at the same time ignoring myriad of problems bedeviling the polity.

"We have a lot of problems and most people cannot even have three square meals. There are problems of
electricity, lack of food, poverty and increase in price of food items. Let us face the real problems and try
to tackle them. Forget about Islamic banking, catholic banking or Jewish banking and leave it to those
who want it,"

"Actually, I don't see it as any issue that will generate controversy and what I know is that so many
political leaders who happen to be Christians are not even against Islamic banking," the monarch averred.

He, therefore, urged journalists to be professional and patriotic while discharging their assignments by
refraining from acts capable of tarnishing the image of the country.
The Sultan added that the role of the media is very critical in the economy of any nation, hence the need
for journalists to avoid reports that will create disharmony and conflict in the polity.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Residents of Nigeria's Northern City of Kano Discover Bomb Near Pub

AFP20110810642004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1048 GMT 10 Aug 11

[AFP headline: "Bomb found in Nigerian city causes stampede"]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 10, 2011 (AFP) - The discovery of a bomb led to a stampede in an area of the
northern Nigerian city of Bauchi, but authorities were able to defuse it before it exploded, police said
Wednesday.

Residents discovered the bomb planted on a street near an open-air pub on Tuesday, causing people to
flee in panic, Bauchi state police commissioner Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba said.

Bauchi has been hit by a string of attacks blamed on an Islamist sect known as Boko Haram.

"It was a time-bomb device made from an air-conditioning compressor," Aduba said, adding that it could
have caused a powerful explosion.
"We still do not know who was behind the bomb and for what motive because no arrest has been made."

A bomb blast targeting a police patrol team in the city injured five policemen on Sunday night, according
to Aduba. A Red Cross official had earlier told AFP four policemen were injured.

Unknown gunmen also ambushed a joint military-police patrol team Saturday night, injuring a policeman
and a bystander before fleeing, said the police commissioner.

The ambush was launched in an area reputed to have been a hideout for Boko Haram members, but the
police commissioner said it was too early to say who was behind the attacks.

Most attacks blamed on Boko Haram have occurred in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, but the sect has
also been active in Bauchi.

It claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a beer garden in a military barracks in the city on the day of
President Goodluck Jonathan's inauguration in May which killed 13 people and injured 30 others.

The sect was behind a prison attack in the city in September last year, freeing more than 700 inmates,
including around 100 of its members.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Riots Break Out in Northern Nigerian Town After Military Shooting of Woman
AFP20110811309001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2159 GMT 10 Aug 11

["Rioting hits northern Nigerian town after woman shot" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 10, 2011 (AFP) - Riots broke out in a northern Nigerian town on Wednesday after
soldiers were accused of shooting a protester, with churches and the traditional leader's palace set alight,
residents said.

The riot in the town of Biu followed a protest over the arrest of several teachers from an Islamic school
on suspicion of belonging to an Islamist sect that has been blamed for scores of attacks, residents said.

"The soldiers then began shooting into the air to disperse the protesters outside the palace," said one of
the residents, Babagana Ali. "A bullet hit a woman in the head. She died instantly, but her two-year-old
baby survived."

Another woman was shot in the shoulder and taken to hospital, he said. According to Ali, the protesters
numbered around 1,500.

Protesters further angered over the shooting set part of the emir's palace ablaze and burnt two nearby
churches, he said. Part of a local government building also burned.

One of those arrested, Abubakar Ibrahim Musa, said a total of seven teachers were detained by soldiers on
Wednesday morning.

"We were told at the barracks that we were arrested because some of us were suspected of belonging to
Boko Haram sect," he said by phone.

"They said it was not expedient to pick the suspects from among us at the school but to bring all of us
along and sift the suspects and release those of us not on the list."

Three of the teachers, including Musa, were later released and brought to the emir's palace to "douse
tension," he said, while the other four remained in custody.
A military spokesman in Maiduguri, some 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of Biu, said he received
"information from Biu that a woman was shot and killed during a protest which led to rioting by residents
in which the palace of the emir was affected."

The spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed, however said the town was outside his
jurisdiction and referred further questions to his counterparts in the Biu area. A military spokesman there
declined comment.

The country's northeast has been hit by scores of attacks blamed on the Islamist sect known as Boko
Haram. Most of the attacks have occurred in Maiduguri, but a number have also taken place in Biu.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Unknown Armed Men Kill Prominent Muslim Cleric in North-Eastern Nigeria

AFP20110813678011 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1528 GMT 13 Aug 11

[AFP Headline -- "Prominent Muslim cleric assassinated in Nigeria: residents"]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 13, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen suspected to be members of an Islamist sect have shot
dead a prominent Muslim cleric in Nigeria's northeast, hit by scores of attacks blamed on the extremists,
residents said Saturday.
A military official said they had received word of the Friday night attack in the town of Gamboru Ngala,
near the border with Cameroon, but could not yet comment since a full report had not yet been made.

The cleric, Liman Baana Ngala, was the former chief imam for the town. He was said to have been
resting outside his home after breaking his Ramadan fast on Friday night when two motorcycle-riding
gunmen arrived.

"One of them approached the cleric who was sitting outside his house and, after a short conversation, he
shot him twice before fleeing," said resident Hafiz Ahmad.

Referring to the Islamist sect, he said, "from all indications, it is the usual Boko Haram attack."

Another resident gave a similar account of the shooting. It was unclear why the cleric would have been
targeted.

The sect has been blamed for scores of bomb blasts and shootings in Nigeria's northeast. Such attacks
have targeted figures of authority, including police, politicians and soldiers, as well as religious and
community leaders.

It claims to be fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation of some 150
million people roughly divided in half between Christians and Muslims.

Nigeria's government recently inaugurated a committee to look into the violence in the northeast and
recommend solutions, including whether to negotiate with the sect.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill Cleric in Borno State

AFP20110814598002 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 13 Aug 11

[Report by Njadvara Musa: "Boko Haram Gunmen Kill Islamic Cleric"]

Two suspected Boko Haram gunmen, yesterday, shot and killed an Islamic cleric, Liman Bana, 65, in
Ngala, a border community town with Chad, 140 kilometres Northeast of Maiduguri, the Borno State
capital.

The suspected gunmen had trailed the cleric right from the Ngala Central Mosque to his residence, before
firing several gunshots into his chest and head.

According to eyewitnesses, the killers fled to Gambouru, a border community town with Chad on a
motorbike.

Confirming the incident, Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Kabiru, said: "I received
the reports of the Boko Haram gunmen's attacks and killing from International News Agencies.

Since it is a non-working day none of our superior officers is in the office to receive reports and
confirmation of the assassination of Ngala cleric that was killed in the night of Saturday in Ngala."

He said that the 65-year old Islamic cleric was killed in the presence of his wives and children.

Kabiru told The Guardian that even though there were no arrests, investigations have commenced
following the information provided by some residents to the police on the identity and direction the
suspects fled after killing the cleric.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]
Nigeria: Gunmen Rob Bank, Attack Police Station With Explosives

AFP20110816587004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2053 GMT 15 Aug 11

["Nigerian police station attacked, bank robbed" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 15, 2011 (AFP) - Gunmen robbed a bank and used explosives to attack a police
station in northern Nigeria on Monday, leaving one officer dead, a military source said, amid a wave of
such attacks blamed on Islamists.

The incident, which was also said to leave two other officers wounded and the station badly damaged,
occurred in the town of Gamawa in Nigeria's Bauchi state.

"We received news of attacks in Gamawa by some gunmen who robbed a bank and attacked a police
station," the military officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak.

"From information we have gathered, the attackers used an improvised explosive device in the attack on
the police station, where a police personnel was killed and two others injured."

A local resident, Muazu Abubakar, gave a similar account of the incident. Police could not immediately
be reached for comment.

Nigeria's north has been hit by scores of attacks blamed on an Islamist sect known as Boko Haram. Most
of the attacks have occurred in the northeastern city of Maiduguri in Borno state, but Bauchi state has also
been hit a number of times.
Earlier Monday, police said they shot dead a suspected suicide bomber who was seeking to drive an
explosives-laden car into state police headquarters in Maiduguri. It would have been the first reported
suicide attack in Nigeria.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Police Kill Suspected Boko Haram Member During Failed Suicide Bombing

AFP20110816587005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2110 GMT 15 Aug 11

["Nigerian Police Kill 'Would-Be Suicide Bomber'" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 15, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian police said they killed a "would-be suicide bomber"
seeking to drive an explosives-laden car into state police headquarters in the violence-torn city of
Maiduguri on Monday.

The incident came a day before a committee appointed by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to look
into violence in the northeast, where Maiduguri is located, is to submit its report to the government.

Police said the man was around 25 years old and suspected to be a member of an Islamist sect known as
Boko Haram, which has been blamed for scores of attacks, mainly in the northeast.

The committee appointed by the president was expected to recommend whether to negotiate with the sect.
Later Monday in another part of Nigeria's north, gunmen robbed a bank then used explosives to attack a
police station in the town of Gamawa, leaving one officer dead and two wounded, a military source said.

It was unclear whether the incidents were related.

"Our men succeeded in killing a would-be suicide bomber who attempted to force his way into the police
headquarters while screening for police recruits was going on," said Simeon Midenda, police
commissioner for Borno state, where Maiduguri is the capital.

He said bombs made up of seven gas cylinders and a number of other containers were found in the boot
of the man's car. Some 1,500 recruits were on the grounds at the time for screening, he said.

"Our initial suspicion is the attacker is from the Boko Haram sect," said Midenda.

It would have marked the first known attack by a suicide bomber in Nigeria if the commissioner's
statement were proved correct.

On June 16, a powerful bomb ripped through a car park at national police headquarters in Abuja, killing
at least two people.

Authorities first attributed that attack to a suicide bomber before later retracting the claim, saying they
could not be sure.

Bomb blasts blamed on Boko Haram have mainly resulted from improvised devices left on roadsides,
near police and military patrols or at open-air pubs. Most of the attacks have occurred in Maiduguri.

There has been intense speculation over whether the sect has formed links with Islamist groups outside of
Nigeria, particularly since attacks have seemed to become more sophisticated in recent months.

A video emerged earlier this month showing a British man and an Italian kidnapped in May in northern
Nigeria in which they say their abductors are from Al-Qaeda, but the assertion has been impossible to
verify.
Western diplomats say the sect appears to have various factions, and while there have been apparent
indications of links to outside groups such as Al-Qaeda's north Africa branch, clear proof has never been
established.

At the same time, many have questioned whether certain attacks blamed on the Islamists have been linked
to politics in Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer.

The sect launched an uprising in 2009 which was put down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds
dead and its mosque and headquarters in Maiduguri in ruins.

It seemed to re-emerge last year with a series of shootings of police officers and soldiers, as well as
community and religious leaders, before moving on to bomb blasts in recent months.

Hundreds of troops have been deployed to Maiduguri to deal with the Islamists, but troops have in turn
been accused of abuses, including shooting civilians and burning their homes after accusing them of
collaborating with the sect.

Thousands of residents have fled the city for fear of further violence.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Army Arraigns General over Escape of Sect Members

AFP20110817686005 Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English 17 Aug 11 p 9

[Unattributed report: "Army General Court-Martialled over Escape of Boko Haram Suspects"]

Brigadie-General Muraina Raji of the Nigerian Army has been court-martialed for his alleged role in the
escape of two detained Boko Haram suspects in Bauchi last year.

The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 3 Division Nigerian Army in Jos, Major-General Sunday Idoko,
who disclosed this in Jos yesterday, said General Muraina Raji would be tried in line with military laws,
for alleged negligence in the escape of the suspects from the 33 Brigade detention in Jos.

Addressing journalists, the GOC said the constitutional role of the military required the highest standard
of discipline and professionalism, adding that discipline and loyalty were two essential requirements no
officer or soldier who wanted to succeed in professional soldering can afford to lack.

Idoko stated that it was the duty of a superior to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any
misconduct on the part of subordinates, adding that where there was a breach, it was expected that
appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken by the commander to forestall future occurrence.

"It is with a heavy heart though, that I convene this special court martial, being the third court I had to
convene in less than one year of my assumption of duty as the GOC of this division. However, I must
state that if this division has been witnessing one court martial after the other, this is because I want to
sustain high level of professionalism required confronting the mounting security challenges in our
command."

He urged all parties to the court martial to discharge their duties expeditiously and with degree of
commitment that would ensure early justice.

General Idoko called on the special court martial to ensure that no effort was spared to achieve the three-
way traffic of the justice system, in the case of the accused, the Nigerian Army and the state.

The GOC noted that the existing court in the Division’s Headquarters lacked jurisdiction to try Raji by
virtue of his rank, necessitating the inauguration of another court. He added that fairness and impartiality
should be upheld in the proceedings and the dispensation of justice.

When Raji was arraigned before the court, he objected to the membership of the "Waiting Member",
Brig.-Gen Agbo Robinson, who took over from him as the Commander of the Brigade.
"He took over the Brigade after me and in the circumstances of the case, it will be prejudicial for him to
be on the panel. Besides, all those appointed to testify against me are from his Command," the General
said.

Raji also objected to the membership of the Judge Advocate, Lt. Col Bernard Okorie, whom he said,
participated in filing the case against him.

"His position will make it difficult for him to do his job as freely as he should," he said.

The court later adjourned to consult over Raji’s objection. Raji’s arraignment came barely 24 hours after
the police in Maiduguri, Borno State, shot dead a suspected member of Boko Haram who had attempted
to force his way into the command’s headquarters with a car laden with explosives.

The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Simeon Medinba, said investigating officers had traced the
ownership of the car used by the killed bomber to Abuja where it was registered.

Meanwhile, policemen trooped into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Tuesday morning searching
vehicles, especially taxis.

The development, which led to serious traffic snarls within the city, was perhaps a reaction to Monday’s
incident in Maiduguri. But the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, described the
operation as a routine one.

"Our men are everywhere conducting stop and search of vehicles. It is a routine operation meant to
enhance security, we are not doing it because we got any intelligence report of bomb plots. It is a normal
security operation and we urge members of the public, particularly vehicle owners, to cooperate to make
the FCT a safe place," he said.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English -- Rivers State owned daily]

US Military Official Links Nigerian Islamic Sect to Al-Qa'ida

AFP20110818565005 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 17 Aug 11

[Report by Muyiwa Adeyemi and Lillian Chukwu: "U.S. Army Chief Links Boko Haram to al-Qaeda,
Others; Catholic Bishops Oppose Dialogue With Group"]

The fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, whose continued violence has defied the nation's security
apparatus, may be operating with the support of al-Qaeda's African branch and the al-Shabab terror group
of Somalia.

The top United States (U.S.) Military Commander for Africa, Gen. Carter Ham, told the Associated Press
(AP) yesterday after a visit to Nigeria that there were "multiple sources" that showed that Boko Haram
wanted to co-ordinate its efforts with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Ham said there were also signs
that the two terror groups wanted to form a "loose partnership" with al-Shabab.

Ham of the U.S. Africa Command said such a co-ordination "would be the most dangerous thing to
happen not only to the Africans, but to us as well."

A suspected al-Shabab bombmaker now facing terrorism charges in New York was at one point detained
by security agents in Nigeria. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, also known as AQIM, has issued
statements in support of Boko Haram, and both use similar logos in communiques.
A recent video indicates that two men, a Briton and an Italian, who were kidnapped in northwestern
Nigeria, are being held by AQIM.

Ham met this week with Nigerian military and security officials during his first visit to the country as the
head of the U.S. Africa Command, known as Africom and which has its headquarters in Stuttgart,
Germany. Ham said the U.S. would be willing to share intelligence and offer training to Nigerian security
forces.

Also, Catholic Bishops under Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have called on the Federal Government to be
decisive in dealing with the Boko Haram sect just as they advised against granting amnesty to the
religious sect members.

The clergymen also called for more dialogue on Islamic banking and criticised Central Bank Governor,
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for not allowing a thorough dialogue before approving the bank.

The bishops, who rose from their meeting yesterday in Ede, Osun State, challenged the government to
arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of the violence that have claimed hundreds of lives and property
of Nigerians across the country.

While sympathising with families that have lost their loved ones to the killings and bombings of innocent
lives in parts of the country by the Boko Haram sect members, the bishops called on the government to
strengthen the rule of law and security apparatus in the country and bring the members of Boko Haram to
book rather than negotiating with them as being canvassed by some individuals.

The statement added: "The Federal Government's approach to this issue has been decisive in some ways
but inadequate in others. We have seen the government seeming to speak from both sides of the mouth on
whether or not to negotiate with the Boko Haram.

"The issue of amnesty has also been raised by some eminent Nigerians, the so-called 'diplomatic'
approach at the expense of Nigerians' lives, peace and tranquility is unacceptable.".

The bishops in the statement signed by Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job and Most Rev. Felix Ajakaiye, blamed
Sanusi for the controversy the issue of Islamic banking is generating..
The statement added: "In a democracy, Nigerians should have been allowed to discuss such an important
and sensitive issue before Malam Sanusi would make a pronouncement on it which sounded much like
law.

"Reactions to the proposed introduction of Islamic banking have shown how divisive such an issue,
important and useful though it may be, can be when it is not carefully presented."

The Catholic clerics also asked the government to tackle the growing unemployment rate in the country,
saying security of lives and property could not be assured where unemployment was not firmly dealt with.

While commending the last general elections and urging the government to build on them, the bishops
appealed to the various election petition tribunals to treat all petitions before them speedily.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government has pledged to train citizens on emergency response to terror attacks.

Deputy Head, Israeli High Commission, George Deek, made the pledge yesterday in Abuja at a one-day
partnership forum and media briefing organised by Global Medical Horizon and Plusfactor International
on enhancing emergency response and ambulance services in Nigeria, using the Israeli model.

He listed terrorists' activities as kidnapping, fire, politically- motivated violence, ethnic clashes and bomb
blasts. "Terrorism is one of Nigeria's biggest and most immediate challenges. It is not a secret that Israeli
expertise can significantly assist Nigeria in countering terrorism. On behalf of my country, I present our
readiness to expand our partnership in Nigeria," he said.

In a paper titled: "The Israeli model of emergency response as a tool of counter-terrorism", Deek listed
Israeli expertise in emergency preparedness, given frequent encounter with terrorism-related emergencies,
as public education, training, drills, awareness and willingness to take part in activities.

Others, according to him, are the authority (the issue of who is in charge), police, emergency medical
services, healthcare workforce and co-operation between all arms of government.

He said part of the Israeli success in achieving a high level of public readiness was due to its long-term
approach that invests heavily in creating a resilient public, especially in the effective engagement and
mobilisation of the public in support of counter-terrorism policies.
[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Fears Said Growing Over Nigerian Islamists' 'Terror Links'

AFP20110819678005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0756 GMT 19 Aug 11

[AFP Headline -- "Fears grow over Nigerian Islamists' 'terror links'"]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 19, 2011 (AFP) - A Nigerian Islamist sect blamed for dozens of deadly bomb blasts
and shootings has shown increasing signs of links to outside groups such as Al-Qaeda's north African
branch, analysts say.

While there has been no clear proof of such ties, Western diplomats and security experts point to the
growing sophistication of attacks by the sect known as Boko Haram as well as claims made on websites
and elsewhere.

The possibility of such links have led to fears among Western countries, with Nigeria the largest oil
producer in Africa, the continent's most populous nation and a major crude supplier to the United States.

"We are very concerned about the linkages between Boko Haram and other extremist organisations in
Africa and other places," US General Carter Ham, commander of US Africa Command, told local
journalists during a visit to Nigeria this week.

A Nigerian military spokesman said he believed Boko Haram had links with Al-Qaeda, pointing to the
types of bombs used recently.
"With the presence of Al-Qaeda in nearby African countries like Mali, Niger and Algeria, it's very easy
for Boko Haram to establish links with Al-Qaeda," said Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed of a task force
tracking the sect.

Some also name Somalia's Shebab rebels as having a possible connection based on statements from
supposed sect members.

Other indications have come from at least one statement believed to be from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM) indicating some level of contact between the two groups.

AQIM, Al-Qaeda's north Africa branch, has carried out kidnappings and attacks in nearby countries.

It is a controversial topic in Nigeria, with some pointing out that both Boko Haram and the country's
security agencies may benefit by speaking of such links.

For the sect, it would give them more power, while Nigerian authorities could use such claims as an
excuse for why they have been ineffective in stopping the group's near daily attacks, some analysts say.

The military task force tracking the sect has been accused of carrying out major abuses against civilians,
including killing residents and burning their homes after alleging that they collaborated with the sect.

"For me, it is still a local insurgency," said Kyari Mohammed, a Nigerian history professor working on a
book on Boko Haram.

He said however that the Islamists gained fresh bomb-making skills about a year ago, and even if a link
does not exist, Boko Haram members surely draw inspiration from groups like Al-Qaeda.

A video obtained by AFP this month of a British man and an Italian kidnapped in northern Nigeria in
May has added to the controversy.

In the video, the captives say that their abductors are from Al-Qaeda, an assertion impossible to verify.
"Some high officials in the Nigerian government strongly believe Al-Qaeda is present," a Western
diplomat said on condition of anonymity. "They just don't have proof of it."

As for Boko Haram, the diplomat said the government appeared to have no viable plan to stop it.

It has formed a committee to look into whether to negotiate with the Islamists, but identifying whom to
holds talks with could be problematic.

"There just seems like there is no real concrete plan to do anything," the diplomat said.

The sect has claimed to be fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria, whose 150 million
population is roughly divided in half between Christians and Muslims.

It launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a military assault which left hundreds dead, as well as its
mosque and headquarters in the northeastern city of Maiduguri in ruins.

It appeared to go dormant for more than a year after the uprising, and some analysts questioned whether
they trained elsewhere as certain alleged sect members have claimed.

Last year, gunmen on motorcycles began carrying out shootings of police, soldiers and local officials, and
authorities warned that the sect was making its return.

Bombings began to occur frequently in recent months, mostly with homemade devices detonated
remotely.

While most violence has occurred in the country's northeast, particularly Maiduguri, attacks have
occurred elsewhere.

In June, a bomb ripped through a car park at national police headquarters in the capital Abuja. Police first
blamed a suicide bomber before retracting their statement, saying they could not be sure.

A website purportedly used by sect members pays tribute to a man referred to as a "martyr" and warns of
violence, while calling on others to join.
Many say the sect appears to have various factions, but there is disagreement on details.

There seems to be a core group of Islamists, but possibly another faction exploited by politicians to carry
out attacks and others with varying interests, analysts say.

In any case, Nigeria's deeply rooted corruption and poverty provide fertile ground for such groups to take
root, analysts say.

"It's a ripe environment of youth that are unemployed and frustrated," the diplomat said. "There is money
to be made in northern Nigeria if you are coordinated enough and you know the right people to get in
touch with."

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Presidential Committee Submits Interim Report on Islamic Sect Crisis

AFP20110819581016 Lagos This Day Online in English 19 Aug 11

[Report by Senator Iroegbu: "Boko Haram: Fact-Finding Panel Submits Interim Report"]

The Presidential Fact-finding Committee set up to discuss the best way out of the security challenges
posed by the Boko Haram Islamic sect in the north-eastern part of the country has submitted an interim
report, three days behind the deadline.
While submitting the report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim
Pius Anyim, Thursday, the committee asked for a two-week extension to allow them time to put finishing
touches to their findings.

Responding, Anyim granted the team an extended period of two weeks and noted that the details of the
"interim report" would not be disclosed until the final report.

He commended the efforts of the committee and urged them to stick to the terms of reference, which
include review of all issues of security challenges in the zone and proffer solutions/recommendations
which would bring about a speedy resolution of the crisis; to serve as a liaison between the Federal
Government and the State Government, where necessary.

They are also to liaise with the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that the security services
discharge their respective assignments with optimal professionalism; consult with stakeholders from time
to time for suggestions and to ascertain the true state of affairs; and consider any other initiatives that will
serve to engender enduring peace and security in the area (Borno State/North-east).

It would be recalled that the seven-man panel headed by Mr. Usman Galtimari was inaugurated on
August 02, this year to create a forum for a pool of suggestions that would guide the federal government
on whether to negotiate with Boko Haram or not.

The panel was given two weeks to submit its report. Galtimari, however requested that they be allowed
more time beyond the August 16, this year deadline and as well co-opt a few hands to ensure a
comprehensive work in a final Report to Government.

He gave the assurance that if given enough time, the committee would get to the root of the problem,
saying that the security challenge posed by Boko Haram was not insurmountable.

He also called on the members of the Islamic sect to embrace the peace efforts of the federal government
and promised that their 'genuine grievances' wiould be given due considerations in their
recommendations.

"I assure them that all their genuine grievances will be addressed by the committee and appropriate
recommendations made. The members of the sect are our children and grand children. They should
appreciate the fact that the government is not against them and the society is not at war with them," he
said.
[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria Police Arrest Islamist Sect's 'Explosives Supplier'

AFP20110819651003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1602 GMT 19 Aug 11

["Nigerian police arrest Islamist sect's 'explosives supplier'" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 19, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian police on Friday arrested a man they say supplied
explosives to an Islamist sect blamed for dozens of attacks, including materials used in a failed "suicide
bombing" of a police building.

"We have arrested a man... who has been the source of explosives Boko Haram has been using in the
bomb attacks in the city of Maiduguri," said Borno State Police Commissioner Simeon Midenda.

He said police were able to trace the source of explosives that were to be used in the "botched suicide
bombing" of Borno state police headquarters this week to the suspect's shop in Maiduguri.

According to Midenda, the shop had ammonia nitrate, which he said was "the major ingredient the sect
used in manufacturing the homemade bombs they have been using."

He alleged that sales receipts found in the suspect's shop revealed transactions between the suspect and
sect members.
The military and police have come under increasing pressure over their inability to stop the sect's near
daily attacks.

On Monday, police said they shot dead a "would-be suicide bomber" who sought to drive an explosives-
laden car into state police headquarters in the violence-torn city of Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria.

The Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of bomb blasts and shootings, mainly
in the country's northeast.

There have been growing fears that the sect has sought to form links with Islamist groups outside of
Nigeria, including Al-Qaeda's north Africa branch.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Constant Police Checkpoint Killings Fuel Boko Haram Plan Notion in Anambra State

AFP20110824619002 Lagos The Source in English 22 Aug 11 - 29 Aug 11 32-33

[Report by Okechukwu Obenta: "Tension Over Police Killings"]

 Police extortion, brutality and killing of innocent citizens at check-points heighten tension in Anambra
State

The popular Nwagu junction in Agulu, the country home of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State was
the spot of an ugly scene on Saturday, 13 Aug as hundreds of people, including the aged and youths
gathered there bemoaning the sight of a young boy lying in the pool of his own blood.

Onyeka Agupugo, 26, a bricklayer was sent to his untimely death by one of the mobile policemen at the
Nwagu junction. Before he was gruesomely murdered, he was in one of the beer-drinking joints around
the Nwagu roundabout cooling off the evening with some friends.

An end to his journey here on earth, however, began when he looked out from where he was seated in
the beer joint and saw one of his friends, a commercial motorcycle operator , otherwise, called, Okada
rider entangled in an argument with one of the mobile policemen at the checkpoint.

The policeman had allegedly demanded their normal illegal N20 "toll-gate" collection from his friend
but he could not settle. The issue soon turned into a long argument. So, he rushed out to mediate.

It turned out to be a fatal mission. The apparently trigger-happy policeman became infuriated by
Agupugo's gut and he instantly pumped four bullets into his head and he dropped dead. The sound of the
gun shots sent everyone within the vicinity scampering for their dear life.

Before they reconnected themselves and came back to the scene, all the mobile policemen had fled the
place leaving Agupugo lying in the pool of blood.

When the Magazine arrived at the scene less than 20 minutes after the incident, people were wailing and
pronouncing curses on not only the police officer, but, indeed, on the Nigeria police force as an
institution.

Hundreds of youths in the area who trooped out in search of the policemen at the checkpoint when they
couldn't find them, blocked various entry points leading to the roundabout and making born-fire.

Agupugo is popular in Agulu, especially among his peers as a hardworking and honest boy. His father
is already late and his mother is a petty trader. So, he was a major support to the family.
 Shedrack Ifedugbo, Agupugo's age-mate told The Source that "he is my childhood friend, he is a good
boy and hardworking, I'm surprised to see what happened to him" Ifedugbo stated amidst wailing and
tears rolling down his checks.

Most of those who spoke were angry that the police are always busy collecting N20 from Okada riders
and other commercial motorists while kidnappers are having a field-day in the state.

Meanwhile, the trigger-happy police officer, a sergeant, had already undergone departmental trial and
will soon be charged to court for murder. Emeka Chukwuemeka, the image-maker of the state police
command told The Source that though the action of the police officer was condemnable, it was one of the
hazards of the job.

"This is why we have been conducting training and retraining for our men on the use of firearms. The
commissioner of police has gone round the 36 divisions talking to our men to always be tolerant with
members of the public because once you pull the trigger it is difficult to control," he said.

Many lorry drivers have had their career terminated abruptly as a result of their encounter with the
police at checkpoints where the police sometimes poke the nozzle of their guns into their eyes for refusing
to give them the amount of money they demand from them.

Apparently because of the growing suspicion, members of the public say that most of the police officers
who normally carry out the torture, extortion and sometimes kill at checkpoints, being mainly from the
Northern part of the country, they might therefore, be agents of the Islamic Boko Haram sect.

It is therefore, in order to avoid any possible reprisal attack the police command has refused to avail the
name of the erring police officer to the press.

But tongues are already wagging just as fears are being entertained by some people in the state that
some of the police officers, especially those who are Muslims might be secretly carrying out the Boko
Haram agenda because of the manner they extort money, torture and even kill people at checkpoints at the
least provocation.

But Chukwuemeka would not agree that a police officer can be a member of the Boko Haram sect. He
would rather attribute the occasional shooting of an innocent person by a policeman as one of the
"hazards of the profession."
[Description of Source: Lagos The Source in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Report Says Northern Ethno-Religious Crises' Victims Planning Reprisal Attacks

AFP20110823619003 Lagos National Standard in English 22 Aug 11 - 29 Aug 11 30-33

[Report by unattributed correspondent: "Armageddon in the north"]

Human Rights Watch said that about 800 people died in the April 2011 post-electoral violence. Scary as
the figure is, a deep-seated ethno-religious cacophony still ravages the Northern part of Nigeria. In an
exhaustive 14-day investigation, National Standard reveals among other things, the plights and pains of
the victims and most crucially, factors that may still plunge the north into further chaos.

Until a fortnight ago, Akhwat Akwop, a militia group claiming to fight for northern Christians, existed
only in the imagination of its initiators. Warming itself into the nation's consciousness, Akwat Akwop
dropped threat leaflets in 10 northern states with stern warning to the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

"The Boko Haram is hereby warned that if it carries out any further attacks on Christians anywhere in
the north, our commandos will unleash deliberate attacks on selected targets in cities with majority
Muslims populations in the far north and your people will see and experience what you have been doing
to others first hands," the group stated.
 Indeed, since it started its guerrilla attacks on security operatives and other members of the public, the
Boko Haram has extended its tentacles beyond Maiduguri where it has inflicted worst atrocities. Barely
few days after the sect threatened to carry out "fiercer" attacks across the 19 states of the north and Abuja,
it pulled a masterstroke when it bombed Nigerian police headquarters.

National standard investigation however revealed that Akhwat Akwop might not have been prompted
by the Boko Haram insurgence after all. The group biggest challenge before now has been how to unify
its renegade members, many of whom operated in isolation.

Many Hausa-Fulani Muslims who reside within southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa axis
have had bitter pills from uncoordinated members of the group. That is why the Akhwat Akwop brags
that it has its reasons and that "the Boko Haram must not involve in the internal politics of Kaduna State.
Kaduna state and the middle belt are no go area for Boko Haram," the group stated.

Security experts feared that unhealthy rivalry between the Boko Haram and tje Akhwat Akwop can only
worsen the security situation in the north. Plateau state for instance, has witnessed enough turbulence in
recent time and there appear to be little or no respite in sight.

Plateau without peace

"Bike man, can you take me to 3 Container in Angwa Rukuba?" a commercial motorcyclist was waved
down. "Kai, walahi I no dey go that kind area," the cyclist said as he zoomed off. Minutes later, another
cyclist emerged. "Abeg Aboki, you fit take me to 3 Container on Bauchi Road?"

‘'Dan buro ubah! You mean I should take you to Angwa Rukuba make dem slaughter me?' Before any
other explanation, the cyclist has disappeared. And so did the third, fourth, and fifth cyclists.

"If you stop 100 cyclists, for as long as they are Malam (a nickname for the Hausa in Jos), none of them
will convey you there," a commercial telephone operator, who later identified himself as Henry, hollered
to the reporter who has been standing on the same spot for almost one hour.

"But why?" a question was posed to Henry. "You are asking me why? Don't you know that if you are a
Mengua, an Hausa nickname for Berom-Christians, you cannot enter Angwa Rogo, dominated by
Hausas? Even if you are a Yoruba-Muslim, you dare not enter the community.
 Some of them will tag you Zadawa (someone who can hardly be described as a Muslim or Christian).
They can kill you for being a Zadawa. But if you think I'm lying, walk into that street over there (He
pointed at a street beside Bauchi motor park, adjacent to the University of Jos entrance gate), if you come
back alive, I will clap for you," Henry said sarcastically.

Henry is not clowning even if he has sounded like one. His disclosure is the brutal reality of what Jos,
the famed tin city, has become. On the surface, all appears calm. But within that fragile calmness, lies a
seething disquiet.

Mutual suspicion pervades the atmosphere. There are many "no-go areas" in the city, depending on the
individual’s tribe, religion or faith. A visit to Angwa Rukuba, a Christian dominated area in Jos North,
opens a can of worms. Within this community is Dutse Ukwu, a small neighborhood of Hausa-Muslims.

The orgy of violence unleashed there by Christian youths on 26 Dec, 2010 was all that it took to reduce
Dutse Ukwu to a ghost town. Though a handful of military officers are stationed there, the atmosphere is
still tense.

From one section of the once-blossoming community to the other, it is not uncommon to see notices
like, "Malam, cross here if you want to die", "Civilian zone ", among others. Such cautionary notes are
deemed magnanimous in other parts of the city. In such areas, sudden disappearance is the norm.

Some Hausa butchers who were patronizing a local abattoir in the Gring area of Jos have vanished in
such circumstances just as many others are still missing. The bone of contention was clear. The indigenes
felt that the dominance of Hausas in a money-spinning abattoir located within their territory was an
assault on their sensibilities.

One after the other, the Hausa population was depleted. Today, the indigenes are in charge of the
abattoir. "Not long ago, I received the list of four young men missing in our community. I receive such
information on daily basis.

Most pathetic is the fact that you never get to see such victims again," Sheikh Ibrahim Masali, the
president of the Jasawa group (an umbrella body of Hause-Muslims in Jos) told National Standard. What
Masali perhaps failed to add was the fact that his people have also not relented in taking their pound of
flesh.

From Nasarawa Gwom to Bukuru, Dilimi to Rikkos, and Dogo Na'Awah, the indigenes, alongside
Yoruba and Iqbo - Christians have falling victims of Hausa-Fulani atrocious acts. In Dogo Na'Awah, Jos
South LG, over 500 Berom-Christians were massacred when Fulani invaders launched a midnight attack
on the village in March 2010.

So were hundreds of Igbo-Christian traders, slaughtered like rams in the Dilimi area of Jos North when
some Hausa rioters pounced on them. "What we have is a ding-dong affair. If you do me, I do you, God
no go vex.

If they claimed to be losing their people, let them tell us the number of our people who strayed into their
communities and came back alive?" Bitrus Gwom, a Berom youth leader, quipped.

In Kaduna, home is hell

The incessant rupture of the Plateau State capital hasn't spared its equally volatile neighbors like
Kaduna and Bauchi States. But in an unusual twist of fate, the tin city was spared when its neighbors got
caught in the post-electoral violence that rocked some northern states.

Beyond the facade of politics, National Standard discovered among other things, the age-long ethno-
religious crises rupturing peaceful co-habitation in the affected states. The post-electoral catastrophe only
came in handy.

Abdulahi Salihu, a sport equipment trader, whose shop was among those razed in the Kafanchan main
market, claimed that the attack on Hausa Muslims in Kafanchan was premeditated. He, surely, wasn't the
only one.

Aliu Aamin, a Yoruba-Muslim in his 30s also has some gory tales to narrate. When the assailants
descended on Aamin’s household, he could only muster enough energy to ship his wife and kids through
the backdoor but not his octogenarian father.

According to Aamin, he watched from afar how his aged dad was dragged on the floor before being
shot in front of their house. "Our sin was because we are Muslims," Aamin said.

More than any other town in southern Kaduna region, the carnage in the ancient town of Kafanchan can
best be described as the most barbaric. Areas occupied by non-indigenes, especially Muslims, are the
worst affected. Places like the central motor park, the main market, mosques, shops, and houses are dotted
with scars.
 Much central to Kafanchan's theatre of absurdity is the lingering power-tussle between the Hausa-
Muslims and the natives who are predominantly Christians. The indigenes' grouse has always been that
since it is their land, their kinsman should be the town's paramount ruler.

Between 1987 and 1999, Kafanchan has twice erupted in violence. The 2011 fiasco was the third in the
series. But, since the latest crisis has also failed to change the status quo, it is not unlikely that the town
may soon witness another orgy of violence.

If anything, the volatility of its neighboring towns and villages can only hasten such awful omen.
Zonkwa and Sarnaru-Kataf are close to Kafanchan. The post-electoral violence in both towns ran neck
and neck with the Kafanchan experience.

Today, survivors of Zonkwa, Marabarido, Kafanchan, and Samaru Kataf have become refugees at the
state pilgrim camp, Kaduna. Zakari Abdulkadri, the camp commandant said that about 4,000 displaced
persons currently hibernate in the camp. The list includes children, women, 66 widows as well as the
injured and the aged.

On the other side of the divide is the Christian community. Many of their brethren in northern Kaduna
and Zaria are also reeling in pain. But unlike their Muslim counterparts, they claimed to have no camp to
assemble.

"Christians have no camps where they could take refuge. Those who sought refuge at Jarato and Bafa
military barracks in the wake of the attack have been chased out because the soldiers believed the crisis is
over," Rev. Zidi Bala, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Sabon Gari, Zaria, said.

Motunrayo Olohunisola, a 55-year-old Yoruba-Christian fits into that category. After being displaced
alongside his three children, she now squats with her cousin at Mando, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis.

"If only I have President Jonathan's phone number, I won't hesitate to call him and let him know that I
have been persecuted because I share the same religion with him," Olohunisola said with tears rolling
down her cheeks.

Such agonizing tear hasn't dried in the home of Dr. Ali Obe. Obe, a senior lecturer at the faculty of
education of the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, was said to have dissuaded the mob threatening to
burn down Calvary Methodist Church, Samaru-Zaria, from doing so.
 His gut must have spited the gangsters who wasted no time in snuffing life out of him. Obe's household
was deserted when this magazine visited. At the Faculty of Education of the university, his obituary
dotted every notice board.

Lecturers and students, who spoke with this magazine, described his death as the loss of a gem.
Investigation however revealed that plan has been concluded to name the church after him.

Bauchi tell-tales of agony

In the north-eastern state of Bauchi, more Christians are still gnashing their teeth in regret. When the
post-electoral violence raged on, their churches and properties became prime targets of attacks. From
Misau to Azare, Giade to Jama'are local government areas, among others, the Christian adherents were
made to pass through the shadow of death.

The non-Christians who were sympathetic to the ruling People’s Democratic Party, weren't spared,
either. Ibrahim Dandija, a septuagenarian and a Misau community leader lost an estimated N200 million
worth of property in the post-election madness.

Dandija's palatial residence, alongside 14 vehicles and 40 motorcycles were burnt to ashes. Dandija's
offence was the fact that he is the father of Ahmed Dandija, the secretary to the Bauchi State government.

Bauchi gory account that angered most Nigerians was the gruesome murder of 10 young graduates,
participating in the National Youth Service Corps scheme. The Independent National Electoral
Commission had solicited for the youth service corps members' participation in the election.

Acceptance of INEC offer was to prove the youth corps members' undoing in Bauchi. In Giade town,
where seven of the young Nigerians were slain, the atmosphere surrounding their residential lodge still
wears a mournful look.

Their rooms showed that their departure was sudden. Personal belongings such as clothes, mattresses,
and sack-bags, littered the rooms. "When their assailants came on their trail, we beckoned to them to hide
in this bakery. We knew quite well that the rioters won't dare pursue them here.

But the corps members thought that the police station was safer. That decision didn't deter the mob.
They chased them into the station and hacked them to death right in the presence of police officers who
could do little or nothing to rescue them," Ahmed Bulayo, a factory attendant at Faida Modern Bakery,
told National Standard.

The bakery is besides the lodge, just as the police station is a stone's throw from the place.

Still a bleak future

Yet, Giade wasn't the only place where security operatives failed. Many victims of northern crises
grieved over the operatives' lethargy in curtailing crises. In Kaduna, men of "Operation Yaki", the
security outfit funded by the state government were accused of complacency and sometimes collaboration
with the rioters.

Of course, such complaint won't just stick. "You don't expect everybody to like our face. Those who
criticize us are those we have prevented from fomenting trouble. We may not have been perfect, but
nobody can deny the fact that we have done our best to restore sanity," Charles Ekeocha, the spokesman
of the special task force in Jos, said.

The security challenge in the north or anywhere else however goes beyond Ekeocha's self-adulation.
The Boko Haram, the dreaded fundamentalist group in Borno State has demonstrated that on many
occasions.

Many victims of the Boko Haram aggression, who spoke with this magazine in Bauchi, Niger and
Abuja, shared horrific details of how those attacks have crippled their lives.

Worrisome as it is, National Standard also uncovered among other things, the clandestine plots of some
victims of northern crises to launch reprisal attacks in crisis-ridden states, soonest.

"We just want to allow Governor Jang to get over his re-election fun fare before another round of terror
is unleashed," a victim of Jos crisis, who was privy to the conspiracy, disclosed to the magazine. Such a
plot may strike a chord with the Boko Haram and the Akhwat Akwop threats.

If that happens, Nigeria will be in the throes of full-blown crises with devastating implications.
Sometimes in June 2005, the United States National Intelligence Council raised alarm over possible
collapse of the Nigerian state by 2015 due to ethno-religious cum political crises.
 Already, Nigerians are worried that the current insecurity in the north will lead the country towards that
predicted Armageddon. Whether or not it would, the answer hangs in the surreal silence of time.

[Description of Source: Lagos National Standard in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Specialist Comments on Possible Link Between Boko Haram, Niger, AQIM

AFP20110825617001 London BBC World Service in English 1706 GMT 24 Aug 11

[From "Focus on Africa" hosted by Peter Okwoche]

[Okwoche]There are reports that the Islamist militant group operating out of Nigeria, Boko Haram, is
spreading into neighboring Niger and forging links with Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Maghreb. To find
out what this means for the region, I spoke to Ali Bahaijoub, who edits North-South Magazine and is an
analyst on Islamic militancy. I asked him why Boko Haram would want to move into Niger.

[Begin recording] [Bahaijoub] Niger, actually, is part of the Sahel region and the Al-Qa'ida in the Lands
of the Islamic Maghreb actually operates in the Sahel region and Niger and Chad are parts of that region
and it is a vast territory as big asthe size of Europe and it is uncontrollable by any of the neighboring
states. It is more or less just desert. And of course, to them, it gives them the opportunity to hide whatever
they want and of course, to expand in any in any neighboring countries. So, we are talking here about
Mauritania, Algeria, Chad, Libya, Niger, Mali -- all of them are affected by the operations of Al-Qa'ida in
the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb.

[Okwoche] And you mentioned this connection with Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb. I
mean, should this be taken seriously?
[Bahaijoub] Well, of course. They have been kidnapping a lot of foreigners going in the area, in
Mauritania, in Mali, in Niger, in southern Algeria, in southern Tunisia as well. They are actually
expanding and apparently, they are trying to link their activities with the Al-Shabab in Somalia who are
now obviously growing in size and growing in activity as well. So, that is a threat, not only to Nigeria but
the whole region and particularly to the surrounding countries of the Sahel region which has been rather
uncontrollable and a vast region that needs the cooperation of all the states concerned to make sure that
their expansion is actually nipped in the bud.

[Okwoche] I mean, the reason why I asked you whether this connection should be taken seriously is
because, I mean really, Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Maghreb, when you hear about them, okay, they
have kidnapped one or two or three people or even four people in the last one year - you talked about Al-
Shabab has now been driven out of Mogadishu. I mean, when we hear about the things that go on in
Pakistan and Afghanistan concerning Al-Qa'ida, surely, it is not the same in the Sahel region.

[Bahaijoub] That is true. It is not the same, but their activities are actually expanding because of their
disenchantment with the local authorities, and particularly in the Sahel and they have grievances against
the authorities and these grievances are actually being marginalized. Nobody is answering them and as
long as their grievances have not been met with any satisfaction or any positive response from the local
authorities, their activities will just grow and grow.

[Okwoche] Now, we have all been witnesses, since the beginning of the year, to the Arab spring. I am
talking about the events in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Do you think these revolutions would have
strengthened Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Maghreb or weakened it?

[Bahaijoub] Actually, it has weakened it because these revolutions are initiated by the younger
generation. The younger generation, all they are asking for is freedom of expression, freedom of
movement, and democratic principles to be implemented by their leaders. Al-Qa'ida, actually, has been
eclipsed and even the Islamic radicals, who, in the past, posed a threat to the regimes in North Africa and
the Middle East, they have been totally eclipsed by the younger generation and the adults, obviously, will
eventually get on the band wagon when the elections take place in Egypt or in Tunisia. [end recording]

[Okwoche] That is Ali Bahaijoub, the editor of North-South Magazine.

[Description of Source: London BBC World Service in English -- External radio service of the United
Kingdom's public service broadcaster]
Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Reportedly Kill 32 in Adamawa State

AFP20110826581011 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 25 Aug 11

[Report by Abiodun Fagbemi and Emmanuel Ande: "Banker, 31 Others Feared Killed by Boko Haram in
Adamawa; Robbers Attack Kwara Bank, Kill Student"]

Barely two months after suspected members of Boko Haram sect threatened to attack Adamawa State, the
group yesterday carried out the threat as its members attacked Gombi Local Council headquarters,
allegedly killing 32 people, including a bank manager and several police officers.

The incident occurred as more than15 suspected armed robbers allegedly swooped on two second
generation banks in Offa, Kwara State, killing a student customer who had gone to the bank to withdraw
N1, 000 with an ATM card.

The sect members carried out the attack at the same hour.

Governor Murtala Nyako was donating relief materials to Boko Haram victims in Maiduguri, the Borno
State capital.

An eyewitness told The Guardian that the suspected Boko Haram members invaded the Gombi Council
headquarters in four buses and launched their first attack on the police station, where several police
officers and personnel were killed. The eyewitness maintained that the group seized arms at the Gombi
police headquarters. The Guardian further gathered that the group moved to the bank in Gombi and killed
the manager and others for notreciting a portion of the holy quoran.
Sources at the bank told The Guardian that when the suspected Boko Haram invaded the bank, they killed
those that failed to recite a particular portion in the holy quoran as they directed their victims.

It was learnt that the hoodlums, after their bloody operation at the bank, moved to another bank, but they
could not gain access into premises as a result of the security doors installed by the bank.

Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Altine, confirmed the incident, but said
that the command was yet to receive the details of the attack in Gombi.

The PPRO promised to call back for more details, but did not call at the time this report was filed.

The robbers in Kwara said to be in their 30s, shot sporadically into the air with sophisticated guns to scare
customers by the gate of the banks along Ibrahim Taiwo Road and passers by, moving into the banking
halls in a commando-like manner.

More than seven customers of the banks were seriously injured in the operation that lasted for over 50
minutes, according to an eyewitness accounts. The security operatives stationed at the banks, afraid of the
superior firepower of the robbers, were said to have taken "cover" throughout the duration of the
operation.

The incident said to have occurred between 11:30 am and 12:20 noon, allegedly turned the scene a
hitherto beehive of activities into a deserted area.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Deadly Bomb Blast Rocks UN Building in Abuja, Causes Heavy Damage
AFP20110826670008 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1128 GMT 26 Aug 11

["Deadly bomb blast rocks UN building in Nigeria capital" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, Aug 26, 2011 (AFP) - A bomb rocked the UN building in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Friday,
killing a number of people, leaving others trapped and causing heavy damage, officials and witnesses
said.

Some witnesses reported that the bomb occurred after a suspect rammed a car through the front gate.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but an Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has been
blamed for scores of bombings in recent months.

"A number of dead people and injured have been moved in ambulances to the hospital," police
spokesman Yemi Ajayi said. "We don't have the exact figures yet and we don't want to guess."

A member of security personnel speaking on condition of anonymity spoke of "many dead."

"It looks like a suicide bombing," the source said at the scene. "A guy drove a Honda car, forced his way
through the gate and rammed into the building, and then the bomb exploded."

One UN staff member said people were still trapped in the building that sustained heavy damage.

"I don't know what is going on. Many people are still trapped upstairs and we need a crane to bring
people down," said the UN staffer who did not want to give her name.

Police said there was an explosion and UN officials said it was caused by a bomb.

"We spoke to our colleagues in Lagos, who confirmed that the explosion was caused by a bomb. But we
have no further information for now," a UN spokeswoman in Geneva told AFP.
A spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs meanwhile told AFP
that a colleague on site had sent an SMS message to say that the explosion "appears to have come from
the gate entrance to the building."

The UN building is located in Abuja's diplomatic zone, not far from the US Embassy.

A bomb blast that rocked national police headquarters in Abuja in June was claimed by Boko Haram.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Claims Responsibility for 26 Aug Bombing of UN Office

AFP20110826651003 Paris rfi.fr in Hausa 26 Aug 11

[Report by Awwal Janyau Ahmad: "Bomb Blast at UN Headquarters in Abuja"]

A bomb has exploded at the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. Authorities are still working
to determine the number of casualties. Nigerian police have surrounded the UN headquarters, where the
bomb exploded.

Reporters of RFI Hausa have revealed that emergency workers have been pulling out dead bodies from
the damaged section of the building.
Meanwhile, the Islamic sect Boko Haram has informed Radio RFI that they are responsible for the attack.

[Description of Source: Paris rfi.fr in Hausa -- Website of the government-owned Radio France
Internationale, under the management of the Ministry of Culture, aimed at an international audience;
URL: http://www.rfi.fr/]

Alleged Islamic Sect 'Spokesman' Claims Deadly Attack on UN in Nigeria

AFP20110826678008 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1752 GMT 26 Aug 11

["Boko Haram 'spokesman' claims deadly attack on UN in Nigeria" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 26, 2011 (AFP) - A man claiming to be a spokesman for the Nigerian Islamist
group known as Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on UN headquarters in the
country's capital Abuja Friday.

"Through the wisdom of Allah, we have launched the attack with absolute precision," the man who
identified himself as Abu Darda said in a telephone call to AFP.

"The attack was carefully scripted and executed. We have said it several times that the UN is one of our
prime targets."

The veracity of his claim could not be verified.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: UN Deputy Chief Vows To Fight Terrorism as Death Tall Hits 23 in Abuja

AFP20110828539008 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1333 GMT 28 Aug 11

["UN Vows Terrorism Fight as Toll Hits 23 in Nigeria Bombing" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, Aug 28, 2011 (AFP) - The UN's deputy chief met Nigeria's president Sunday after vowing a
renewed fight against terrorism in the wake of a suicide bomb attack at the world body's headquarters
here that killed at least 23.

Deputy UN Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro laid wreaths at the UN compound in Africa's most
populous nation and made her way past crushed debris and what looked to be blood stains during a tour of
the badly damaged building.

"It is a shocking incident," she said afterward. "This attack is against global peace. It is also against
humanity because those who work here come from different countries."

She later visited victims at the national hospital and held talks with President Goodluck Jonathan.
Migiro said after her 20-minute meeting with Jonathan that "we are currently doing a thorough
assessment of what happened and how it happened and how we should strengthen whatever measures we
have that are of a security nature".

"We will never be deterred," she said.

Friday's attack that saw the bomber make his way through two gates at the heavily guarded compound
before slamming his car into the entrance of the building was among the bloodiest targeting the UN
globally.

Migiro said earlier that "this act of terrorism will only rekindle our resolve to fight terrorism in all of its
ramifications".

Her trip came as the death toll climbed and the investigation into the bombing in Abuja deepened, with
FBI agents from the United States and the UN's security chief also in the country.

UN spokesman Martin Dawes said the toll was now 23 dead with 81 wounded. Some 400 people with a
variety of nationalities worked in the UN building.

Questions swirled over how the bomber managed to pass through two gates in the exit lane of the
compound as well as over who was responsible for the blast in the continent's largest oil producer.

A purported spokesman for the Nigerian Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has claimed responsibility
for the attack, but there has been no proof and police say they are considering all possibilities.

Analysts have cautioned that while at least one faction of the sect may indeed be involved, it was too
early to draw any firm conclusions.

Boko Haram has previously focused on targeting symbols of Nigerian authority, but its attacks have
grown increasingly sophisticated and concerns have grown over whether it has formed links with Al-
Qaeda's north African branch or other extremist groups.

The United Nations had earlier said nine of its staff were among the dead and "many dozen hospitalised",
but warned it was still assessing the toll.
"We have lost motivated, bright, selfless people who were working only for the good of Nigeria and the
world," said Agathe Lawson, the UN's acting resident coordinator in Nigeria.

"Our priority now is to ensure those who are injured and the families of those who died are cared for."

She added that "our second and urgent priority is to ensure the UN operations continue. We will not be
deterred in our mission to work to improve the lives of Nigerians. This is why we are here."

A bomb blast that rocked a car park at national police headquarters in Abuja in June and killed at least
two people was claimed by Boko Haram. Police first said it was the result of a suicide blast before later
retracting their statement, saying they could not be sure.

Most of the attacks blamed on the sect have occurred in the country's northeast, but a number have been
carried out elsewhere, including the previous explosion in Abuja as well as several in Suleija near the
capital.

The Islamist sect launched an uprising in 2009, put down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds
dead.

It went dormant for about a year before re-emerging in 2010 with a series of assassinations of security
personnel and politicians, as well as religious and community leaders.

Nigeria's 150 million population is roughly divided in half between a mainly Musli m north and
predominately Christian south.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Group Says Islamic Sect's Attacks Aimed at Destabilizing Government

AFP20110829598007 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 28 Aug 11

[Report by Kelvin Ebiri: "Boko Haram, Tool To Destabilise Govt, Says SSPA"]

The South South Peoples Assembly (SSPA) has described the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram,
as a political tool in the hands of some powerful Nigerians who have resolved to destabilise President
Goodluck Jonathan's government.

SSPA which is an umbrella body of people of the Niger Delta, cautioned all the sponsors of the recent
spates of terrorism to bear in mind that those who stand to lose the most should not be the ones pushing
the country to the brink.

Piqued by the bombing of the United Nations office in Abuja, a group, the Jonathan Project has canvassed
the overhaul of the entire security structure in Nigeria due to the prevailing security challenges in the
country.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday and endorsed by Amb. Mathew Mbu, Justice Karibi
Whyte (rtd) and Dr. Kalada Iruenabere, SSPA described the terror tactics adopted by the Boko Haram
sect as orchestrated plots by some disgruntled persons to make Nigeria ungovernable during the reign of
President Jonathan.

They said: "Let all those sponsoring these acts of terrorism know that while it is easy to tell the beginning
of a war, no one can tell its end. Those who stand to lose the most should not be the ones pushing this
country to the brink."

The elder statesmen described the Boko Haram sect as a political tool in the hands of persons who they
tagged "power merchants and economic parasites" who are merely seeking to achieve their earlier threat
to destabilise the country.

An excerpt of the statement declared: "The SSPA does not believe that the Boko Haram of today is the
offshoot of the one crushed by the Yar'Adua administration. Rather, we are convinced that the name has
become a metaphor for a more sophisticated struggle for political power. We dare say that it is a tool in
the hands of those who threatened to make this country ungovernable and those who lectured us on the
inevitability of violent change in the heat of the struggle for the Jonathan presidency."

It continued: "Boko Haram cannot be pursuing a religious agenda, for, it should be obvious to its
ideologues that exploding bombs in Abuja will do very little to advance the cause of its fanatical Islamic
ideology. On the contrary, we are convinced that the group's agenda, which clearly is that of its urbane
sponsors, is to make the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan unworkable."

SSPA commiserated with the United Nations, the Federal Government and families of those who lost
their loved ones. The group charged President Jonathan to fish out those behind the dastardly attack and
prosecute them.

While condemning the dastardly attack on the UN office in Abuja on Friday, the coordinator of the
Jonathan Project, George Kerley said the overhaul of the security apparatus had become imperative to
tackle the menace of Boko Haram sect.

"We call on our dear President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, who has showed great leadership at
this time, and his National Security Adviser General Andrew Owoye Azazi to immediately activate the
relevant security agencies to bring to book all those who perpetrated these dastardly acts. Security
agencies who have refused to live up to the calling of the new order should be re-organised and re-
structured. Corrupt members of such agencies should be brought to book immediately," Kerley said.

He noted that not too long ago, two members of the misguided Islamic sect were allowed to escape from a
military facility. According to him, all those responsible for this grave breach of security in such a top
level military facility should not be treated with levity.

According to him, the attack represents an affront to world peace and an attempt to undermine the efforts
of the UN and the international community in their resolve to bring peace and unity to the world.

He suggested that all the masterminds of the Friday gruesome act should be punished appropriately.
"They cannot be allowed to continue to maim and kill members of other families and then return to the
comfort of the ir own families," he said.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]
Nigeria: Abuja Attack by Boko Haram Underlines Threat to West Africa's Security

AFP20110829670001 Alexandria Maliweb in French 29 Aug 11

[Editorial by Adam Thiam, taken from Bamako's privately-owned French-language daily Le Republicain,
close to the opposition National Renaissance Party, Parena: "Boko-Haram and AQIM: A Matter of
Franchises"]

An out-of-control car with a fanatic at its wheel, dreaming of paradise while inflicting hell on others:
deafening explosions, the same characteristic debris and smoke, followed by the signature. This time, it
was neither the Global Al-Qa'ida nor its Sahelian franchise, but Boko Haram [education is sinful], the
Muslim extremist movement that has declared a fight to the death against schooling, except for that based
on the Koran.

A horrific toll: some 20 dead, dozens injured, plus trauma that takes time to heal for survivors of the
butchery. It is true that, with 19 deaths, the United Nations in Abuja deserves far less pity than Baghdad,
when the UN headquarters was blasted by a kamikaze attack, or Port au Prince, with the tragic losses
inflicted by the earthquake. Nevertheless, despite its humanitarian purpose, the United Nations has
become an out-of-the-ordinary jihadist target.

It is their response to what fundamentalists consider the militarization of the multilateral institution by
Westerners, and America in particular. Another observation: Although AQIM [Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic
Maghreb] is a franchise, the operational relations between it and Boko Haram make the latter a dangerous
protectorate in a Nigeria that is more than exposed, with the grinding poverty of its people, its corrupt
elites, venal law enforcement forces, and a collective sense of racketeering that transcends understanding.

The Abuja attack proves that which we all feared: the regionalization of the jihadist virus with its unjust
havoc. It is indeed the suicide attack method characteristic of Al-Qa'ida that Nigeria has just experienced
for the second time, following the attack targeting the French Embassy in Nouakchott.
Inasmuch as the country headed by Jonathan Goodluck, who truly needs all his luck and forces to halt the
scourge, never acts with moderation, it has also imported Somali expertise in piracy on the high seas. As
is currently the case of a Cameroonian ship seized off Nigerian waters. Recent events in Nigeria are
undeniably the source of additional worries about the security of West Africa.

[Description of Source: Alexandria Maliweb in French -- Independent US-based Malian web portal;
URL: http://www.maliweb.net]

Observer Says Islamic Sect's Attack at UN HQs Show Future of Terrorism in Nigeria

AFP20110830492005 Pretoria Institute for Security Studies in English 29 Aug 11

[Commentary by Martin A. Ewi: "A New Phase for Boko Haram as UN Deplores Attacks in Abuja"]

Boko Haram's suicide attacks on the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, last Friday, 26
August, which killed 19 people (9 of them UN staff) and injured scores of others, represent a new phase
for the terror group that has become increasingly deadly in recent months. The history of Boko Haram is
as illusive as the group itself and studies on the group remain inconclusive about its origins. According to
some sources, the group has evolved from various efforts by extremist elements dating back to the 1940s
through the end of the 1990s that sought to radicalise various segments of northern Nigeria.

It is largely believed that the current form of the group has evolved from the so called, 'Nigerian Taliban'
founded in 2003, with foreign operatives from neighbouring countries such as Benin, Cameroon, Chad,
and Niger. The group went underground following a massive security crackdown by the then government
of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Boko Haram, which means Western education is profane or sinful is
formally known as 'Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad'. It emerged in 2006 with the aims of
establishing sharia all over Nigeria. It opposes secular governments and a Western system of education,
which it believes is not founded on moral religious teachings.

The current mayhem in Nigeria owes its origin to the killing of Boko Haram's founding leader,
Mohammed Yusuf, and hundreds of his followers by security forces in 2009, which Boko Haram vowed
to revenge. The worst of the group's atrocities have occurred this year, reaching their peak in the post
April-May elections, that brought President Goodluck Jonathan to the helms of the Nigerian Aso Rock
Villa. Since their New Year's Eve bombings at a busy fish market in Abuja, Boko Haram has perpetrated
almost daily deadly attacks, which threaten the stability and fledging democracy in Africa's most
populous nation. Most attacks have taken place in northern Nigeria, particularly at Boko Haram's
headquarters in Maiduguri, which for the past several months has been a ghost town, with many
businesses including schools shut down.

Although Boko Haram activities have been confined to the northern part of the country, the group has
used Abuja to stage its most high profile attacks aimed at attracting international attention. These attacks
have demonstrated sophistication, resilience and ability of Boko Haram to strike when and wherever it
deems fit. For example, on 29 May, on the occasion of the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan,
Boko Haram attacked a crowded beer garden in Abuja, and on 16 June, it carried out a suicide attack at
the Federal Police headquarters in the city. Nearly 30 people died in both attacks and several others were
injured. Since the New Year's Eve bombings, Boko Haram has carried out no fewer than 70 major attacks
(4 of them in Abuja) or an average of one attack every three days. In total, more than 600 people have
been killed.

The timing of the 26 August suicide attacks on the UN and the selection of the target were never
coincidental nor was it an opportunistic moment. Rather, the attacks show careful planning, a thorough
understanding of the target, and a deliberate strategic choice aimed at demonstrating that the group means
business. It wants Nigeria, the United States and the rest of the world to take notice and to signal that the
group is now under the supreme command of Ayman Zawahiri, the new al Qaeda leader who replaced
Osama bin Laden.

Boko Haram's public declaration of its allegiance and loyalty to al Qaeda is part of its 'public awareness
strategy'. It also claimed that some of its operatives have been trained with al Shabaab in Somalia.
Furthermore, on 18 August 2011 the online version of the Nigerian Standard carried a message
purportedly from Imam Abubakar Shekau, the mystic Boko Haram leader, who replaced the charismatic
founder, Mohammed Yusuf. In the message, Shekau offered solidarity with al Qaeda and sent a chilling
threat to the United States.

Apart from its rhetoric and pronoun cements, intelligence gathered on Boko Haram is yet to reveal
compelling evidence of its link to al Qaeda, despite the group's increasing use of al Qaeda style
sophistication and tactics. The kidnapping of two foreigners in May (a British and an Italian) is perhaps
the most illustrious of this growing axis. To date, the group had never attacked or kidnapped foreigners
and it is believed that the two foreigners were handed to Al Qaeda in the land of Islamic Maghreb
(AQIM), the Algeria based group, which has been touting lawlessness in the Sahel region. Understanding
this link, and Boko Haram's ultimate goal of morphing into a global terrorist organisation, is important
and such foreknowledge might have prevented the attacks on the UN building.

Abuja is host to many international institutions, including an African Union Office and the headquarters
of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), both of which have not been attacked.
The attack on the UN was therefore a strategic choice for Boko Haram and represents a trend that we
have seen in recent times, particularly in the transformation of local terrorist organisations. This is not the
first time that the UN has been targeted by a terrorist group. In 2003, 15 UN staff died in a bomb blast in
Iraq following an attack by the militant group, Jama'at al-Tawid wal-Jihad (now called by its new name,
Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn) shortly after announcing its allegiance to al Qaeda, by its
late leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Similarly, 41 people (17 of them UN staff) were killed in December
2007, when a car bomb slammed into the UN building in Algiers, Algeria after the Salafist Group for
Preaching and Combat (GSPC) declared its loyalty to al Qaeda and adopted its new name--AQIM. More
than 20 UN employees have also died in Afghanistan in militant attacks in 2009 and in April this year.

The current trend shows that the UN has become a regular target in the transformation of a local or
domestic terrorist group into a global network. This seems to be a key al Qaeda requirement for initiation
of local groups--the demand to internationalise their targets and agenda. The internationalisation of a
domestic terrorist group or its initiation into al Qaeda may follow different models such as the one taken
by al Shabaab in Somalia, which failing to attack a UN building, decided to attack a popular Ethiopian
restaurant frequented by foreigners in Kampala, on 11 July 2010, during the finals of the FIFA World
Cup in South Africa.

The attacks on the UN headquarters completes Boko Haram's metamorphosis into an international
terrorist group and represents a turning point for the future of terrorism in Nigeria.

In reality, this means that moving forward the goal of islamisation or for spreading sharia shall not be
confined to Nigeria and that other countries in the region are potential targets. Although this has always
been imbedded in the name 'Boko Haram,' the recent fatwa issued by Shekau, however promised to attack
and kill any Muslim that goes against the establishment of sharia.

Given its new international profile, Boko Haram will become even more complex, sophisticated and
difficult for law enforcement to intercept and neutralise. Although it will lose substantial support in
Nigeria as many Nigerians are now growing weary of the groups heinous acts, however, it now has a
wider milieu for recruitment, training and access to weapons, as well as other resources for sustaining the
group. It could be expected that future attacks would include foreign targets. A far more dangerous
consequence of Boko Haram's activities would be if the group expands its activities further south and
destroys the imaginary line that divides Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. It should also be expected that
suicide terrorism will increasingly become a dominant feature of Boko Haram tactics. Both scenarios do
not bode well for a region already plagued by a multiplicity of security and development challenges.
[Description of Source: Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies in English -- Independent policy
research institute providing research and analysis of human security issues in Africa to policy makers,
area specialists, and advocacy groups. The think tank is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa with
offices in Kenya and Ethiopia; URL: http://www.iss.co.za]

Nigeria: Top Muslim Spiritual Leader Condemns UN Bomb Attack

AFP20110831587011 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0904 GMT 31 Aug 11

["Nigeria's Top Muslim Figure Condemns UN Bomb Attack" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 31, 2011 (AFP) - Nigeria's top Muslim spiritual leader has condemned last week's
bomb attack on UN headquarters in the country that killed at least 23 people, calling it "detestable to
Islam."

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, in a message to Nigerian Muslims marking the end of
Ramadan, on Tuesday called on those behind the bombing in Abuja to seek dialogue with government
instead of carrying out violence.

"The bombing of the United Nations building on Friday is an abominable act that is detestable to Islam,
and is not in any way condoned by the religion of Islam," Abubakar said in the message broadcast from
his palace in the northern city of Sokoto.

"We therefore called on all those involved in this nefarious act to fear God and desist from commiting this
grave act. They should rather seek for avenues of dialogue with leaders."
A suicide bomber forced his way past two gates and rammed his bomb-laden car into the building on
Friday, setting off an explosion that killed 23 people and injured dozens of others.

An Islamist sect known as Boko Haram blamed for scores of deadly attacks in the north claimed
responsibility, but police say they are looking at all possibilities.

In July, the sultan had urged authorities to stop blaming Boko Haram for all violence in the country's
northeast and pursue those responsible.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation with some 150 million people, divided roughly in half between a
mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

abu/mjs/bs

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria Accuses Al-Qa'ida-Linked Suspect of Masterminding UN Attack

AFP20110831670002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 31 Aug 11

["Nigeria says Qaeda-linked suspect masterminded UN attack" -- AFP Headline]

ABUJA, Aug 31, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian authorities said Wednesday that an Al-Qaeda linked suspect who
recently returned from Somalia masterminded last week's attack on UN headquarters here, one of the
bloodiest targeting the world body.

The statement by Nigeria's secret police over Friday's suicide bomb attack that killed at least 23 people
came amid mounting concern over whether local Islamist sect Boko Haram has formed ties with outside
extremist groups.

It also said that two other suspects, identified as key figures of the Boko Haram extremist sect, were
arrested on August 21, days before the UN bombing.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the bombing that also wounded dozens of others.

"Investigation has revealed that one Mamman Nur, a notorious Boko Haram element with Al-Qaeda links
who returned recently from Somalia, working in concert with the two (arrested) suspects masterminded
the attack on the United Nations building in Abuja," the police statement said.

The suspect has been declared wanted following the attack on the building where some 400 UN staff with
a variety of nationalities worked, it noted.

Nur's name has previously circulated as a top figure within Boko Haram and he was considered by some
to be the sect's third-in-command during its 2009 uprising in northern Nigeria, put down by a brutal
military assault.

He was believed to have fled to Chad to escape arrest by Nigerian security agents before moving on to
Somalia, according to sources claiming to have been sect members as well as others familiar with Boko
Haram.

Nur is thought to have returned to Nigeria several weeks ago at the beginning of the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan.

The statement also described the two other suspects arrested on August 21 as "notorious leaders of the
Boko Haram extremists sect."

They were identified as Babagana Ismail Kwaljima, aka Abu Summaya, and Babagana Mali, aka Bulama.
Their arrests came after authorities received intelligence on August 18 of plans for attacks in the Nigerian
capital Abuja, it said.

"On 18th August, 2011, precise intelligence was obtained by this service that some Boko Haram elements
were on a mission to attack unspecified targets in Abuja ...," according to the statement.

"Following their arrests, security was further beefed up in Abuja and its environs," the statement said.
"Meanwhile the suspects have made valuable statements and are being held at a military facility."

There has been growing concern over whether Boko Haram has formed links with extremist groups
outside Nigeria, including Al-Qaeda's north African branch and Somalia's Shebab fighters.

Alleged sect members have claimed that they have received training in foreign countries, and analysts
point out that their attacks have grown increasingly sophisticated.

Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of shootings and bomb blasts, mainly in Nigeria's northeast, but
it had not been known to target international institutions such as the UN.

It claimed a bomb attack targeting national police headquarters in Abuja in June that killed at least two
people.

In Friday's attack, the bomber made his way past two gates before ramming his car into the entrance of
the building.

The police statement gave what it said were details on the car used in the attack, saying it was a Honda
registered in northern Kano state that had been purchased in 2002.

The UN's deputy chief Asha-Rose Migiro held talks with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on
Sunday and afterward said the "perpetrators must be brought to justice," while vowing that the attack
would not deter the work of the United Nations.

FBI agents from the United States have been asked to assist in the investigation.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation with some 150 million people, roughly divided in half between a
mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Kano State Governor Orders Boko Haram Members' Release

AFP20110901606001 Abuja Leadership in English 31 Aug 11 p 2

[Report by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz: "Governor Kwankwaso Wants Boko Haram Members Released"]

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State has called on security agencies to release members of
the Yusufiyya Movement, popularly known as Boko Haram, and other members of religious groups who
are currently in detention.

The governor made the call in his office yesterday after granting unconditional pardon to 20 prisoners in
the state, saying there was no justification whatsoever for the continued detention of members of the
religious sect. Kwankwaso said that the state government was surprised about a story published in the
Sunday Trust edition of 28 August, 2011, on the purported arrest of members of Boko Haram at the
instance of the state government and the Emirate Council. He noted that at no time did the state
government ever authorize any security agency to arrest or detain any member of a religious group.
"As a government, we consider all Islamic and Christian religious sects as the same. It is the duty of
government to embrace all religious groups toward peaceful coexistence among citizens," he said. The
governor stated that, contrary to the report, the state government was unaware of the alleged arrest of any
member of any religious group nor did it order the detention of members of the Islamist group. "But if
there is any member of the sect in detention, I am hereby calling on the security agencies to either release
or charge such person to court within the time stipulated by the Constitution," he said. He added that the
Kano State government has been working assiduously to promote peace and harmony among all the
religious groups.

He assured the people of his administration's determination to safeguard the lives and property of the
people at all times, adding that his administration places high premium on the security of the citizens.
Earlier at the Kano Central Prison, Kwankwaso said a committee on prerogative of mercy carefully
selected those who benefited from his clemency. It was, he said, a gesture made in the spirit of the holy
month of Ramadan and id-el-Fitr

[Description of Source: Abuja Leadership in English - Privately owned daily]

Nigeria: Security Service Confirms Al-Qa'ida Links With UN Office Bomb Blast

AFP20110901598001 Lagos This Day Online in English 31 Aug 11

[Report by Ike Abonyi: "UN House Bombing: SSS Confirms Al Qaeda Link, Declares Suspect Wanted;
Says it Got Information of the Bombing on 18th August"]

The nation's intelligence community yesterday confirmed it got information of the August 26 UN House
bombing in Abuja nine days before the action precisely on August 18th. The body also confirmed that the
book Haram suicide bomber had a link with the dreaded international terrorist body Al Qaeda.
In a first official reaction to the bombing, the state security Service (SSS) on behalf of all the agencies in
the country also declared wanted a member of Boko Haram wanted for orchestrating the bombing last
week of the U.N. headquarters in Abuja that killed 23 people.

In a statement, signed by its Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar, the SSS says "Investigation has revealed that
one Mamman Nur, a notorious Boko Haram element with al Qaeda links who returned recently from
Somalia, working in concert with two suspects masterminded the attack on the United Nations building in
Abuja."

However, the service did not give details of how it came to this conclusion, beyond mentioning that two
Boko Haram suspects were in detention and had made "valuable statements.

"We implore ... the general public to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information
that could lead to the arrest of Mamman Nur, who is hereby declared wanted," it said.

Below is the statement in full

· Owing to various speculations and misrepresentations in the media arising from the bomb attack on
the United Nations (UN) building on 26th August, 2011 in Abuja. The Department of State Services
(DSS) on behalf of other security agencies wishes to state as follows:

· On 18th August, 2011, precise intelligence was obtained by this Service that some Boko Haram
elements were on a mission to attack unspecified targets in Abuja in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry
vehicle with registration number AA539GBL

· On 21st August, 2011 about 1300 hours a joint operations by all security services led to the arrest of
two (2) notorious leaders of the Boko Haram extremists sect, namely,

· Babagana Ismail KWALJIMA (a.k.a Abu SUMMAYA);

· Babagana MALI (a.k.a Bulama).

· Following their arrests, security was further beefed up in Abuja and its environs. Meanwhile the
suspects have made valuable statements and are being held at a military facility.
· Investigation has revealed that one Mamman NUR, a notorious Boko Haram element with Al-
Qaeda links who returned recently from Somalia, working in concert with the two (2) suspects
masterminded the attack on the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja.

· Further investigation has also revealed that the car used for the attack was a Honda car with Kano
State registration number AV38NSR. It was purchased on 3rd September, 2002 and registered on 3rd
December, 2002. The vehicle identification number is 1HGCBA7400A100748,Engine
number,F22A72000540.

· The security services wish to reiterate their commitments to ensuring that we have a safe, peaceful
and secure environment. We want to reassure Nigerians that we have no other countr y and we must all
strive to maintain its unity which is currently being threatened.

· We implore all Nigerians to be more security conscious and vigilant, while urging the general
public to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of
Mamman NUR who is hereby declared WANTED. Any person with useful information which could lead
to the arrest of the suspect and other accomplices should report to the nearest Police station, military
formations or any other security agency.

Marilyn OGAR, MSI

AD Public Relations

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]
French Commentary: AQIM Gives Signs of Growing, Spreading

EUP20110901029015 Paris sahel-intelligence.com in French 29 Aug 11

[Commentary by Samuel Benshimon: "AQIM's Transformation and the Challenge of Secular Sahel"]

In less than three weeks, Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has broad itself back to
the international community's attention in spectacular fashion, blowing hot and cold. On the cold side,
there is the painful reminder of the four Areva hostages in Niger, who "are apparently doing well,"
according to negotiators that were able to contact the AQIM kidnappers a while ago. Another worrying
factor is the mysterious death of Tuareg chief Brahim Ag Bahanga, who granted an interview to an
Algerian daily a few hours before his death, officially in an "accident," as he was patrolling the desert in
search of weapons smuggled out of Libya. Last, on the hot "hot" side, by successfully perpetrating a
major attack on Cherchell military base in Algeria, in which 18 people died, AQIM has now
demonstrated its resurgence, its ability to act beyond its position as a local Al-Qa'ida franchise, and to
emancipate itself from the tutelage that it chose when it relinquished its up Algerian "coloration" as GSPC
[Salafist Group for Call and Combat]. In another disturbing development, the recent attack, for which
responsibility has been claimed by Boko Haram in Nigeria, raises fears of the establishment of channels
of communication between AQIM and Nigeria's extremist groups, based on a sharing of expertise and
techniques and on a pooling of resources and safe havens. Both for the region as a whole and for Western
countries with interests in the area, this is probably the worst possible news, because an alliance between
the groups active in the Sahel and those based further south signifies a significant extension of the areas
of instability. We must add to this the fate of the pro-Al-Qadhafi mercenaries who are expected to return
soon to their areas of origin, having received cash, heavy weapons, and telecommunications equipment,
some of which they will certainly succeed in bringing home. For the countries of the region, and
particularly Niger and Mali, these mercenaries' return constitutes an additional challenge to be met by
armies possessing very limited resources and whose mobility is limited by a hostile environment. It has
become a pressing necessity to sound the alarm, to tell the world that part of its future is at present being
played out in the Sahel and that the time has come to place major resources in the area in order to put an
end to terrorism, lest it become increasingly "verticalized," reaching South Africa via branches inclined
toward looting and gradually spreading to Europe via the more "sophisticated" factions. For instance, we
cannot rule out the possibility of a major rallying together of the minor terrorist groups active in the
Sahel, which would come together under the AQIM "trademark" in order to be able to strengthen their
involvement in other illegal activities -- racketeering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and so forth. Is
the world ready for that?

[Description of Source: Paris Sahel-Intelligence.com -- Internet newsletter; URL: http://sahel-

intelligence.com]
Report Says Lack of Cooperation Affecting Nigerian Security Agencies

AFP20110901598013 Lagos This Day Online in English 01 Sep 11

[Report by Ike Abonyi: "Nigerian Security Agencies: A World of Mutual Suspicion"]

It is a regime of no-love-lost among the nation's intelligence agencies. This twist came to light last year
when President Goodluck Jonathan, as a way of moving fast in responding to the bombing of Mugadishu
Barracks, Abuja, directed that funds be released for the procurement of modern security gadgets,
including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to be mounted in Abuja.

THISDAY gathered that the money, as directed by the president, was released for the purpose it was
meant, to the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IG). However, the management of the fund
became an issue that stoked the in-fighting among the security agencies in the country as its handling by
Ringim did not go down well with them.

As a corollary, it was even rumoured within the security circle that intelligence sharing among the
agencies suffered some drawbacks at the highest levels. This, it was gathered, might have opened the
window for the bombers to successfully carry out their operation on June 16 at the Police Headquarters.

Investigations by THISDAY revealed that this development is giving Jonathan grave concern and may
intervene soon to end the unhealthy rivalry among the intelligence agencies.

The newspaper learnt that the expected cooperation needed by these agencies to tackle the menace has not
been forthcoming and has been affecting their effectiveness.

This is why nine clear days before the bombers struck last Friday at the United Nations House, federal
agencies knew about it but could not nip it in the bud because of some avoidable bickering "over who is
in-charge of what and who controls what".
The development has led to the challenge of coordination of the agencies resulting in bad management of
even available information.

For instance, a few days after the UN House attack, there was a meeting of the security agencies with the
diplomatic community. At the end of the parley, THISDAY also gathered that there was an agreement
that the president should be persuaded to address the nations on the security threats and assure all that he
government was up to the task of arresting the situation.

He was to announce the various strategies agreed to at the meeting as steps his administration would
pursue to check the threat of the terrorists. One of the points he was billed to announce to Nigerians and
the international community was the fact that arrests were already made after the UN House attack.

"One of the plans was for the president to brief the nation on the findings on the August 26 bombing and
use it to assure Nigerians and the international community that the Federal Government was on top of the
situation and to reassure investors on the government's ability to handle the challenge," a source told
THISDAY.

But the IG, Hafiz Ringim, in what was supposed to be a behind-the-camera briefing of the diplomats and
against the agreed method, announced the arrests, thus making nonsense of the proposed presidential
briefing. He also said the president would still brief the nation.

THISDAY source said: "We are competing for space for credit, not work. What was there again for the
president to say after the IG has announced the arrests?"

He further said: "Just as the intelligence agencies have penetrated the Boko Haram sect, the group has
equally moved into the ranks of the agencies, because they quickly adjust their strategy almost as
simultaneous as we plan against them."

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]
Nigeria: Group Alleges Islamic Sect of Plotting Bomb Attack in Enugu State

AFP20110901581010 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 31 Aug 11

[Report by Beatrice Onuchukwu: "MASSOB Alleges Plans by Boko Haram To Bomb Enugu"]

Members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have alerted
the nation on plans by the Muslim sect Boko Haram to bomb Enugu.

The group alleged that the sect has concluded plans to bomb Nike Lake Resort, venue of today's (1st
Sept., 2011) South East Economic Summit, where governors of the South Eastern states and other
stakeholders from the zone are billed to attend the meeting.

In a statement signed by the National Director of Information, MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu, and made
available to Daily Trust in Awka yesterday, the group alleged that the plans were uncovered by its
intelligence arm, adding that brains behind it were some top politicians in the North who are not happy
with the peace attained in the South East.

Part of the statement reads: "Information reaching MASSOB through Biafra Intelligence Agency (BIA) in
Bauchi confirms that the primary aim of the attack is to instil fear in eastern region which will pave way
for future onslaught in the region."

The statement further said: "In defence of Igboland from bloodshed, MASSOB wishes to alert organizers
and guests at the South East Economic Summit, Enugu about a secret plot by Boko Haram to unleash
terror at the venue of the meeting today.

"The chief initiators of the attack are some northern political/religious leaders who are not comfortable
with the unity of purpose, co-operation and the spirit of oneness taking place in Igboland."
Madu said the group decided to alert Ndigbo as they cannot fold their hands and watch sons and
daughters from 'Biafran territory' massacred in cold blood, adding that they got the intelligence report of
the planned attack from Bauchi State.

He argued that MASSOB is not against Boko Haram and its agitation, but he warned that they should not
carry their bombings into Biafran territory as they would be resisted.

The group however commended President Goodluck Jonathan for ordering the release of MASSOB's
leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike and its members detained in various parts of the South East.

MASSOB also called on the Imo State Police Command to release three of its members arrested in
Onitsha and detained in Owerri prisons on robbery charges.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: SSS Declares Boko Haram Extremist With Al-Qaida Link, Mamman Nur, Wanted Over Abuja
UN House Bombing

AFP20110901614001 Abuja NTA Television in English 2000 GMT 31 Aug 11

Following the bomb attack on the United Nations Building last week, the State Security Service [SSS] has
clarified certain speculations in the media.
[Begin recording] The State Security Services [SSS] has said that the intelligent reports obtained by the
service on the 18th of August 2011 showed that some members of the Boko Haram extremist sect were
on the mission to attack unspecified target in Abuja with an harsh color Toyota Camry vehicle.

Three days later, a joint operation by all the security services led to the arrest of two notorious leaders of
the Boko Haram sect, Babagana Ismail Koijima also known as Sunmaya and Babagana Mali alias
Bulama, they have made valuable statements.

Investigation also revealed that one, Mamman Nur, also a notorious Boko Haram member with al-Qaida
link who recently returned from Somalia worked in contact with the two suspects and masterminded the
attack on the United Nations Building in Abuja.

The SSS also revealed that the Honda car with Kano registration number which was used for the attack
was purchased on the 3rd of September 2002.

The SSS said security was beefed up following the arrest of the suspects.

The service implored Nigerians to be more security conscious and vigilant and cooperate with security
agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of Mamman Nur who have been
declared wanted.

Any person with useful information which could lead to the arrest of the suspect and other accomplices
should report to the nearest police station, military formation or any other security agency. [End
recording]

[Description of Source: Abuja NTA Television Abuja in English--state-owned, government-controlled

television]
Nigeria: Agency Names Masterminds of Abuja UN Explosion

AFP20110902686001 Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English 01 Sep 11 p 1

[Unattributed report: "SSS Identifies UN House Bomber"]

The State Security Services [SSS] yesterday confirmed that an Al-Qa’ida trained Boko Haram member,
Mamman Nur, and two others masterminded last Friday’s bombing of the United Nations [UN] House,
Abuja. The SSS has declared Nur wanted.

It also claimed that it got intelligence report on planned attacks on major installations in Abuja by Boko
Haram as early as 18 August.

The alert led to the arrest of two suspects, Babagana Ismail Kwaljima a.k.a Abu Summaya and Babagana
Mali a.k.a Bulama, the SSS said in its first official statement on the UN House bombing. It was signed by
its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar.

The statement said: "Investigation has revealed that one Mamman Nur, a notorious Boko Haram element
with Al-Qa’ida links who returned recently from Somalia, working in concert with the two suspects,
masterminded the attack on the United Nations [UN] building in Abuja.

"Further investigation has also revealed that the car used for the attack was a Honda car with Kano State
registration number AV38NSR. It was purchased on 3rd September, 2002 and registered on 3rd
December, 2002.

"The vehicle identification number is 1HGCBA7400A100748, Engine number, F22A72000540."

The SSS, however, claimed that contrary to insinuations, it took preemptive measures, following
intelligence reports on likely attack on some public buildings in Abuja.
It added: "Owing to various speculations and misrepresentations in the media arising from the bomb
attack on the United Nations (UN) building on 26th August, 2011 in Abuja, the Department of State
Services [DSS], on behalf of other security agencies, wishes to state as follows:

"On 18th August, 2011, precise intelligence was obtained by this Service that some Boko Haram elements
were on a mission to attack unspecified targets in Abuja in an ash-colour Toyota Camry vehicle with
registration number AA539GBL

"On 21st August, 2011 about 1300 hours, joint operations by all security services led to the arrest of two
notorious leaders of the Boko Haram extremists’ sect, namely, Babagana Ismail Kwaljima (a.k.a Abu
Summaya); and Babagana Mali (a.k.a Bulama).

"Following their arrests, security was further beefed up in Abuja and its environs. Meanwhile, the
suspects have made valuable statements and are being held at a military facility."

The SSS assured Nigerians of their safety and it restated its determination to ensure a peaceful and secure
environment.

It added: "The security services wish to reiterate their commitment to ensuring that we have a safe,
peaceful and secure environment. We want to reassure Nigerians that we have no other country and we
must all strive to maintain its unity, which is currently being threatened.

"We implore all Nigerians to be more security conscious and vigilant, while urging the general public to
co-operate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of
Mamman Nur, who is hereby declared wanted.

"Any person with useful information, which could lead to the arrest of the suspect and other accomplices,
should report to the nearest Police station, military formations or any other security agency."

It would be recalled that part of UN House was brought down last Friday by a suicide bomber. The attack
resulted to the death of 23 persons while several others were seriously injured. Extremist Islamic sect,
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the blast soon after it took place.

Meanwhile United States of America [USA] has warned her citizens to avoid Borno believed to be the
base of the fundamentalists. The country also cautioned against visiting Plateau State.
The above official statement on Nigeria from the U.S. Department of State warning did not end there as
its Bureau on Diplomatic Security also lamented the near non-existence of medical services in Nigeria,
contending the ones available were not of standard.

The U.S said the warning which was issued before the general elections in May this year replaced the
Travel Warning of October 19, 2010 and is still the stand of the U.S. as at today.

Part of the warning from its website notes the risk American citizens face in the country but specifically
to Niger Delta States of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, maintaining that only essential travels
need to be undertaken by Americans to these areas.

Other risk areas according to the warning are "the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, Imo; the city of Jos in
Plateau State, Bauchi and Borno States in the northeast; and the Gulf of Guinea because of the risks of
kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas. Violent crime committed by individuals and
gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem throughout the
country.

It said "This notice replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria, dated October 19, 2010, to update
information on violent activity and crime in Nigeria…

"In 2010, alleged Boko Haram members claimed responsibility for bombings in the country. A bomb
exploded December 31, 2010, near a busy Abuja "fish bar," killing several people and injuring many
others. On December 24, 2010, alleged Boko Haram members detonated several explosive devices in Jos,
Plateau State, and conducted attacks against police and others in Maiduguri, Borno State, leading to
significant casualties and property loss. In October 2010, Boko Haram members attacked various
Nigerian government security personnel and facilities, government officials, and authority figures in
northeastern Bauchi and Borno States…

"In September 2010, over 150 members of the Boko Haram extremist religious sect escaped from prison
in Northeast Bauchi, some of whom may be participating in Boko Haram attacks in other parts of the
country. Since March 2010, five improvised explosive devices have detonated in the Niger Delta region
with one to three reported casualties.

"The U.S. Mission currently requires advance permission for U.S. government travel to these states, as
well as the states of Abia, Edo, and Imo, the city of Jos in Plateau State, and Bauchi and Borno States,
given the safety and security risk assessments and the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General’s limited
ability to provide assistance to people detained by Nigerian authorities in these states. U.S. citizens who
are resident in these states are advised to review their personal security in light of the information
contained in this Travel Warning.
"Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society in which different ethnic and religious groups often
coexist in the same geographic area. Travelers throughout the country should be aware that, in areas
where such circumstances prevail, there is the potential for ethnic or religious-based disturbances. The
States of Bauchi, Borno, and Plateau have experienced violence by fringe sects or inter-ethnic groups in
the past year.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English -- Rivers State owned
daily]

Nigeria: Cleric Calls On Governor To Probe Islamic Sect's Threat To Attack Kano

AFP20110902581006 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 01 Sep 11

[Report by Abbas Yushau Yusuf: "Investigate Boko Haram Scare in Kano, Kwankwaso Urged"]
Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has been called upon to investigate the threat issued by Boko
Haram sect to attack the state. This call was made by an Islamic cleric yesterday at the Centre for
Democratic Research and Training in Kano.

According to Malam Rabiu Inuwa, "At the inception of the Kwankwaso administration, there were threats
by the sect that if its members who are in police custody in the state are not released, Kano will be turned
into another Maiduguri.''

He said the threat is an attempt by people he described as agents of destabilization to destabilize the
relative peace in Kano, adding that the threat may not be from the Boko Haram group, but from
disgruntled elements who don't want peace to reign.

Earlier in his remarks, Professor Ibrahim Naiya Sada of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, called on all
Muslims in the country to unite, saying that is the only way they can overcome the challenges facing the
ummah in Nigeria.

Sada said the Northern region where Muslims are more dominant is the most backward in terms of
development as the region is ravaged by poverty. He urged the elite in the North to support their kith and
kin through provision of education.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Army Kills 2 Suspected Islamic Sect Members in Adamawa State

AFP20110902598012 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 01 Sep 11

[Unattributed report: "Soldiers Gun Down Two Boko Haram Suspects"]

Men of "Operation Tsaro", the military outfit maintaining peace in Adamawa State, yesterday in Song,
gunned down two motorcyclists suspected to be members of the violent Boko Haram sect.

"One of the suspects was killed instantly, while the other was injured," Lt.-Col. Idachaba Idu, spokesman
of the 3 Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, said in Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday.

He said the suspects were armed with an AK47 rifle and two magazines loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62
calibre ammunition.

"The suspects tried to escape after firing a shot, but the soldiers from the 23 Brigade in Yola shot them
down," Idu said.

On Wednesday, a fundamentalist, described as "a notorious Boko Haram element with al-Qaeda links
who returned recently from Somalia", Mamman Nur, was declared wanted by the State Security Service
(SSS) in connection with last Friday's suicide bombing of the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja.

Twenty-three people, 10 of whom were Nigerians, were killed in the blast.

Two of Nur's alleged associates, Babagana Ismail Kwaljima (Abu Summaya) and Babagana Mali
(Bulama), are already in the SSS custody in connection with the blast.

The Service also confirmed that the vehicle the suicide bomber used was a Honda Accord car with
registration number AV38NSR Kano.

There had been conflicting information over the vehicle the bomber rammed into the UN building with
some saying that it was a Camry car, a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a Honda car.

However, the Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday confirmed the brand of the car, the
registration number, time of purchase, time of registration and other particulars.
According to a statement from DSS Assistant Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, the arrested
persons have given useful information on the bombing and the connection of the key suspect.

She said: "Owing to various speculations and misrepresentations in the media arising from the bomb
attack on the United Nations (UN) building on 26th August, 2011, in Abuja, the Department of State
Services (DSS), on behalf of other security agencies, wishes to state as follows:

"On 18th August, 2011, precise intelligence was obtained by this Service that some Boko Haram elements
were on a mission to attack unspecified targets in Abuja in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle with
registration number AA539GBL

"On 21st August, 2011 about 1300 hours, a joint operations by all security services led to the arrest of two
notorious leaders of the Boko Haram extremists sect, namely: Babagana Ismail Kwaljima (a.k.a Abu
Summaya) and Babagana Mali (a.k.a Bulama).

"Following their arrests, security was further beefed up in Abuja and its environs. Meanwhile, the
suspects have made valuable statements and are being held at a military facility.

"Investigation has revealed that one Mamman Nur, a notorious Boko Haram element with Al-Qaeda
links, who returned recently from Somalia, working in concert with the two suspects, masterminded the
attack on the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja.

"Further investigation has also revealed that the car used for the attack was a Honda car with Kano State
registration number AV38NSR. It was purchased on 3rd September, 2002 and registered on 3rd
December, 2002. The vehicle identification number is 1HGCBA7400A100748, Engine number,
F22A72000540.

"The security services wish to reiterate their commitments to ensuring that we have a safe, peaceful and
secure environment. We want to reassure Nigerians that we have no other country and we must all strive
to maintain its unity which is currently being threatened.

"We implore all Nigerians to be more security conscious and vigilant, while urging the general public to
cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of Mamman
Nur who is hereby declared wanted.
"Any person with useful information which could lead to the arrest of the suspect and other accomplices
shou ld report to the nearest police station, military formations or any other security agency."

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Report Says Nigeria 'Under Pressure' To Tackle Islamic Sect Insurgency

AFP20110904581015 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 03 Sep 11

[Report by Laolu Akande: "...US, Others Warn Against Excessive Force on Boko Haram"]

Nigeria seems to be under pressure from Western agencies and capitals, especially from the United States
on how to handle the rising Boko Haram insurgency and its attendant links to international terrorism.

While diplomats from Western nations like the US are urging caution in the use of military approach,
which appears to be the preference of the Nigerian security authorities, officials of the United Nations
have repeatedly demand that justice be served, regarding perpetrators of the recent bombing of the UN
House in Abuja.

A UN spokesperson disclosed that the world body is insisting that justice must be done and seen to be
done on behalf of the 23 people killed in the attack.

To ensure that justice is served and investigations proceed to a logical conclusion, a UN spokesperson
confirmed over the weekend that the world body has stationed a security liaison official in Nigeria to
monitor the investigation.
Those who spoke under anonymity said, "We don't comment on ongoing investigations, but an
investigation, led by the Nigerian Government, is under way, and the UN Department of Security and
Safety has a liaison officer on the ground with respect to this investigation."

While the UN is calling for swift justice, other Western diplomats are taking a broader approach urging
some level of caution, especially because top officials of the federal government security system are said
to be keen on a military approach to contain the Boko Haram attacks, which many agree have become an
eyesore for the country in recent times.

An informed source said the debate within the Presidency over the use of necessary force to outwit the
Boko Haram operations has often led to intense controversy with some of the very senior security chiefs
threatening to resign because of the perceived inaction against the Boko Haram operations in the country.

While military and security chiefs and advisers to President Goodluck Jonathan have called for use of
necessary force to stop the insurgency, political advisers are calling for a more reconciliatory approach.

However, during this past week, a news report in New York Times quoted the American Ambassador in
Nigeria Terence P. McCulley, calling for a middle of the road approach in a story titled 'Western officials
seek softer approach to militants in Nigeria."

According to the report, the US Ambassador said of the US; "I think we'd like to see Nigeria take a more
holistic approach," in an interview conducted the week following the devastating terror attack on the UN
building in Abuja.

Referring to the killing of the Boko Haram leader and the offensive against the group in 2009, McCulley
said, " the 2009 tactics may have contributed to the current direction."

Although he conceded that US interests might be targets of the attacks of the UN bombing, the US envoy
noted that the Nigerian security forces should "address the grievances" of the northern population on
economic and social matters.

Interestingly, McCulley's views are largely similar to a report also during the week by the influential
Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), which released a background study on Boko Haram.
The CFR study confirmed that Boko Haram is becoming more sophisticated, pointing to the possibility
that the group now had outside help, perhaps from the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Somalia's al-
Shabaab.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Report Says UN Building Bombing Style, Scope Suggests Foreign Connection

AFP20110905619002 Lagos Business Hallmark in English 29 Aug 11 - 05 Sep 11 5

[Report by Ayoola Olaoluwa: "Bombings; Security experts identify danger zones"]

There is growing fear within the various security agencies saddled with the task of keeping the country
safe over an intelligence report suggesting that Islamic militants are planning more deadly attacks against
specific institutions across the country.

This is coming on the heels of the last attack on the United Nations building in Abuja by a suicide
bomber suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram sect. Over 20 people lost their lives in the attack.

The explosion took place after a Honda CR-V crashed into the main UN building on Independence
Avenue in the Central Business District, Abuja. The blast destroyed the reception area and tore out the
first floor of the four-story building which houses at least 12 UN agencies, leaving concrete beams
exposed and shattered glass strewn over the compound.
 Information reaching BH reveals that the nation’s security agencies had identified some public
institutions as well as foreign embassies likely to be targeted by Boko Haram militants’ sect, a terrorist
Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah law in Nigeria.

"The targeting of the UN building is in line with the militant group's desire to undermine the Nigerian
state. We think that while the Nigerian state and security force targets will continue to be the group's
priority, the targeting of the UN building indicates a more global outlook probably influenced by the al-
Qaeda ideology, declared a State Security Service [SSS] operative who spoke with BH.

He also maintained that the scale of the attack represents an evolution from previous suicide bombings
and is a possible indicator of operational contact with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb [AQIM]. "This
places foreign embassies, international hotels in Abuja, and also Christian religious sites such as the
National Church at risk of attack, together with foreign individuals such as NGO staff and journalists
visiting the area", he declared.

Buttressing this claim, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, advised its citizens against
visiting Nigeria without taking out insurance policies. In its latest travel advice to British citizens, it stated
that: "There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria.

You are advised to exercise caution and observe vigilance at all times, particularly in areas where there
are political or other large public gatherings. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including places such as
markets, hotels, shopping centers, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign
travelers. You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary and the Safety
and Security – Terrorism section (update on explosion at the UN building in Abuja. The overall level of
the advice has not changed; we advise against all but essential travel to Abia State, Bauchi State and to
Jos and its surrounding areas; we advise against all travel to some other areas of Nigeria."

Some security experts who also spoke to BH on the situation in the country disclosed that several public
institutions, including the State House, Abuja, the National Assembly Complex, the American embassy,
the British High Commission, Israeli embassy, oil installations, Christian gatherings or worship centers
are all prone to attack.

BH also recalls that the sect had in an e-mail message to the media revealed that their main target is the
Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Security experts’ fear is borne out of the fact that unlike before when the Boko Haram group primarily
targeted security forces and government assets, especially in Borno and Yobe States, its attacks have
spread to major cities in the Middle Belt and northeastern states, particularly Bauchi, Kano,
Niger,Katsina, and Abuja in the past few months.

"We had previously assessed that the failed Maiduguri suicide bombing on 15 Aug represented no
evolution in IED capability on the part of Boko Haram and therefore likely no operational support from
AQIM as yet.

This was because the Maiduguri bomber had attempted to use a device made from gas cylinders rather
than from military or home-made explosive. Gas cylinders are difficult to use in VBIEDs because of the
need to ensure the correct gas/air mix inside the car, and the difficulty of initiation.

The scale of the explosion at the UN building however suggests that a different method was used, for
instance involving military grade explosive such as Semtex, or explosive made from ammonium nitrate.
This would be a clearer indication that training or supply lines have been opened between the Boko
Haram and AQIM," he said.

BH also learnt that the group was able to access the target in spite of two security checkpoints,
suggesting that it may have had support from security forces. This suggests that the group's capability to
attack hard targets such as embassies or hotels in Abuja and other northern cities has increased
significantly.

However, it was also learnt that there are hints of specific threats against these institutions, which had
led to the beefing of security around them. Our correspondent in Abuja confirmed that there are signs of
security beef-up in the city with armed personnel, including soldiers now manning most government
institutions and foreign embassies.

Meanwhile, investigation has started in earnest into the last suicide car-bomb attack on the United
Nations office complex in Abuja. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moshood Jimoh said that
"investigation has started, that's all I can tell you for now."

The Boko Haram group has been blamed by the federal government for a series of bomb attacks and
killings since last year. Gunmen suspected to be members of the group attacked a police station and a
bank on 25 Aug in the northeastern town of Gombe, killing 16 people, including five police officers, a
soldier and 10 bank customers.
[Description of Source: Lagos Business Hallmark in English - independent weekly newspaper]

Nigeria: Report Says Al-Qa'ida Trained Islamic Sect Members To Bomb UN Office

AFP20110905598015 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 04 Sep 11

[Unattributed report: "Security Reports Indicate Boko Haram Trained by Al-Qaeda"]

Members of Boko Haram, the group believed responsible for the suicide bombing of a United Nations'
building in Abuja, have received training from al Qaeda-affiliated groups in Afghanistan and Algeria,
according to a recent intelligence report.

The report by the State Security Service (SSS) was submitted to senior government officials in June, a
person familiar with it said. That marked roughly the beginning of a string of attacks attributed to the
group.

The latest attack, the suicide bombing of the U.N. Compound, in Abuja, marked what is believed to be
Boko Haram's first assault on an international target.

The June report, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, didn't appear to contain specific
intelligence on future attacks. But critics say the bombing attempts that followed its submission to top
officials--paired with mounting evidence that some Boko Haram members are pursuing higher profile al
Qaeda-style attacks on international targets--highlights what they say is an intelligence service hobbled by
poor coordination and corruption within its ranks.
These people point in particular to a finding in the report that four of the five top members of Boko
Haram have been in police custody at least once in recent years but have been released. The report doesn't
state reasons for the releases.

A spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan didn't respond to requests for comment about the report. A
spokeswoman for the state security service declined to speak about the report or Boko Haram.

Several of the report's findings were confirmed by other Nigerian and Western security officials

The report presents a more detailed picture of foreign terror links than the government has acknowledged.
It portrays Boko Haram as an Islamist group with Jihadist aspirations and more substantial international
connections than previously believed.

It says group members began traveling abroad for weapons training as early as 2002, with a trip that
included several members heading to Mauritania.

In 2007, the report says, members of Boko Haram traveled to Afghanistan to receive training in the
making of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, and in suicide-bombing techniques.

The report names a man from Adamawa state it says "led a group of members to Afghanistan for training
on IEDs and on their return they imparted their knowledge to others."

An undercover security official in the country's north confirmed that Boko Haram members have received
training in Afghanistan. "They usually fly there from neighboring countries, like Niger or Chad," the
official said.

The report also says Boko Haram members received combat and bombmaking training in Mauritania and
in Algeria with members of al Qaeda's north Africa branch, known as al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or
AQIM.

Algeria-based AQIM has claimed credit for several killings and kidnappings of foreigners in west Africa,
including the suicide bombing of an Algerian military academy that killed 18 people. The group still has
at least four French hostages kidnapped last September in Mali.
A U.S. official said it was unlikely that Boko Haram was active enough before 2009 to send people in
considerable numbers to train elsewhere.

But by 2009, this official said, Boko Haram made contacts and established relationships with members of
AQIM. In 2010, they began training alongside elements of AQIM in northern Mali.

"Within the last year, they've established more contacts and training opportunities with AQIM," said the
U.S. official. "What we're seeing now is probably the result of the additional radicalisation of their
viewpoints and the training."

The official said Boko Haram is estimated to number a few hundred people. "This is not a widespread,
huge movement," the U.S. official said.

Many inside the government criticise President Jonathan and the security agencies for not preventing the
recent attacks thought to have been carried out by Boko Haram. The group is blamed for t he June
bombing of a northern Nigeria beer garden that killed 25 people, and a bombing at the police
headquarters in Abuja that same month.

There is no indication that the Boko Haram members who received training abroad are those responsible
for the latest bombing.

The group has a long list of those it aims to attack: "local government institutions and security agencies,
moderate Muslims, non-Muslims thought to be responsible for social, economic and political misfortune
against the north [of Nigeria], certain clerics, churches, Christian businesses, and relaxation spots,"
according to the report. It doesn't offer details of how it would attack these targets.

Several northern Nigerian leaders have suggested amnesty for Boko Haram members, arguing that if the
president can give amnesty to Niger Delta militants, he can do the same for northern militants.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]
Commentary Examines Al-Qa'ida's Changing Modus Operandi

EUP20110905029008 Paris LeFigaro.fr in French 05 Sep 11

[Commentary by Georges Malbrunot: "Al-Qa'ida's New Battlefields"]

The jihadist underground organization has been forced to change its modus operandi but it has not laid
down its arms.

A few years ago, the Moroccan and French intelligence services succeeded in breaking up a Tangiers-
based Al-Qa'ida cell that was going to use explosives for terrorist attacks. Its sponsors did not come from
Pakistan, where Usama Bin Ladin was hiding, but from Saudi Arabia. And in Morocco, its operational
agents had recruited a pimp, to serve as a cover, who was paid generously.

"Terrorists are ready to ally themselves with people who are at the opposite end of their alleged
principles," recalls one master spy. And one of his police colleagues adds, 10 years after the tragedy of
11 September, "the world is now facing a dynamic of regional threats posed by Al-Qa'ida subsidiaries
worldwide." The Al-Qa'ida leadership around Ayman al-Zawahiri that succeeded Bin Ladin after he was
eliminated and which is being hunted down by American drones on the Afghan-Pakistan border, is no
longer the major threat to the West.

This dispersed threat now comes from Al-Qa'ida branches in the Arabian Peninsula [AQAP -- Al-Qa'ida
in the Arabian Peninsula], Maghreb [AQIM -- Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb] and more
generally in Africa, where "it mixes with organized criminals and all sorts of trafficking."

A "Second Afghanistan"

The modus operandi has also been forced to evolve. Bin Ladin dreamed of repeating a large-scale
terrorist attack like those on 11 September 2001. The terrorists, who are often short of money, now favor
the individual suicide-bomber attack, which is much easier to carry out as well as poisonings, using some
recipe they have unearthed from Internet, and let us not forget hostage taking which is destined to develop
further, especially in Africa.
Among the terrorist organization's subsidiaries that have been created over the past few years, Al-Qa'ida
in the Arabian Peninsula is the most dangerous (especially for Americans) both for historical and
geographic reasons. Yemen, where AQAP has taken refuge since 2009, is Bin Ladin's ancestral
homeland. Its leaders, Nasser al-Wahishi and Qassem al-Rahimi, were respectively Bin Ladin's secretary
and an Al-Qa'ida military cadre in Afghanistan in the 1990s. Moreover, Yemen, with its caves in which
to hide and its flourishing tribes, is a "second Afghanistan."

Over the past few years, AQAP planned two failed attacks on American cities and inspired a young
Muslim American soldier who succeeded, for his part, in killing 13 soldiers inside their base. Today,
AQAP would like to produce ricin, a poison that could be concealed in small bombs. Thus, the most
imaginative of Al-Qa'ida subsidiaries is seeking to "mount" attacks of lesser importance but which should
create panic among American society and become a drain on an economy that would find itself forced to
spend significant amounts of money securing air traffic in particular.

AQAP and its American preacher of Yemeni origin, Anwar al-Awlaqi, are banking on Inspire, their
Internet English language magazine, [to convince] "domestic terrorists" to carry out their nasty jobs.
AQAP has also established contact with Somalia's Al-Shababs on the other side of the Red Sea, where
apprentice jihadists from Europe and the United States have flocked. A possible link-up of AQAP and
the pirates that operate in the Strait of Aden also worries the West. However, it is mostly the conditions
of the counter terrorism war to be waged in Yemen that have led the Americans to disengage somewhat
on behalf of neighboring Saudi Arabia: AQAP's second target. The American military is currently
building an airport for drones in Saudi Arabia's southern territory, not far from the Yemeni border, for
future raids into the territory of its turbulent neighbor, which has been shaken by a six-month revolt
whose outcome is still uncertain.

Banditry and Ransoms

While Al-Qa'ida in Iraq has been severely weakened (thanks to support from the tribes), in Africa, on the
other hand, AQIM is feeding on the fertile ground of banditry, ransoms paid to get hostages released, and
more recently on the cannons and ground-air missiles retrieved from Colonel Al-Qadhafi's barracks.

Another one of these threats, which is still far from the media spotlight, holds sway further south. It is the
threat from the Boko Haram sect of northeastern Nigeria. This fundamentalist sect rejects not only
Christian (the majority in Nigeria) values, but also all other Western values. As in Yemen or in
Afghanistan, Boko Haram is feeding on the decaying Nigerian state. Boko Haram has just claimed
responsibility for the terrorist attack one week ago on the United Nations headquarters in Abuja that
killed 18 persons.
[Description of Source: Paris LeFigaro.fr in French -- Website of Le Figaro, leading center-right daily;
URL: http://www.lefigaro.fr]

Nigeria: State Security Services Uncovers Bomb-Making Factory Near Abuja

AFP20110907598001 Lagos Business Day Online in English 2300 GMT 06 Sep 11

[Unattributed report: "SSS Discovers Bomb Factory in Niger State, Arrests Six People; One Suspect
From Niger Republic"]

The State Security Services (SSS) said on Tuesday, they had found a bomb-making factory near Abuja
and had arrested six suspected members or people connected with violent Islamist sect Boko Haram,
including a foreign fighter from neighbouring Niger.

Authorities are investigating a bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Abuja, on August 26 that killed 23
people.

Last week, they arrested two suspected Boko Haram members over the attack and said they suspected that
a third member with an al Qaeda connection led the plot.

A statement from the SSS said the six people detained were wanted in connection with the bombings of
an electoral commission office on April 8, just before presidential elections, and of a church on July 10 --
both in Suleja, near Abuja. They were also wanted for the killing of four policemen.

It did not link them directly with the Abuja bomb on the U.N. headquarters.
"The five suspects all confessed that the main supplier of the explosive materials used for their bombing
operations is a miner from Nasarawa State, who the Service eventually arrested on 30th August, 2011,"
the statement from SSS spokeswoman Maryln Ogar said.

"A suspect, who is a Nigerienne national, was apprehended in connection with the bombing incident in
Suleja. He confessed to his involvement in the bombings as well as his membership of the Boko Haram
sect. His confession led to the arrest of a 31 year old indigene of Imo State who converted to Islam in
2003. The second suspect, who is born of a Nigerienne mother, was brought up in Niger Republic, where
he had his early education. He also admitted to being a member of the Boko Haram sect as well as having
worked in concert with a third suspect from Kano State, to carry out attacks in Suleja. Their confessions
led to further arrest of two accomplices from Borno State ",

"A non-descript building where the Improvised Explosive Devices (I.E.Ds) are assembled has been
uncovered at an area popularly known as Chechnya, Hayin-Uku village," she said.

The statement listed what it called "the merchandise of death" found at the factory. It included one gas
cylinder, one battery connected to a detonator, two damaged detonators; one locally made revolver; one
gun butt; two knives; ten GSM handsets with SIM cards; one ceiling fan coil; two laptop computers and
37 unused metallic oil filters.

Other findings included two metallic filters primed for bombing; two metallic cylinders; one clock
connected to a primed bladeless ceiling fan with 9 volts batteries ready for use; Some pieces of shrapnel;
Honda Civic car with Borno State registration number AG94MNG; Two hundred (200) pieces of
detonators; Some detonating cords (red colour); A Sony remote control; five battery chargers; and a black
bag containing detonating cables.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is sinful" in Hausa language, has become President
Goodluck Jonathan's most intractable security challenge.

It has carried out frequent shootings or attacks with homemade bombs against security services and
civilians in the northeast.

The U.N. bombing marks an increase in the sophistication of Boko Haram's attacks, possibly with better
explosives, and an escalation from local to international targets, analysts say.
[Description of Source: Lagos Business Day Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
Nigerian online business news portal; URL: http://www.businessdayonline.com]

Nigeria: Intelligence Report Says Islamic Sect Plans To Bomb Defense HQ

AFP20110909598001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 09 Sep 11

[Report by Chris Agbambu and Okey Muogbo: "Boko Haram Plans To Bomb Defence Headquarters -
Report"]

The armed forces are in possession of intelligence report that the Boko Haram sect plans to bomb the
Defence Headquarters, popularly called "Boat House."

Towards this end, the military has put additional security measures in place in order to forestall such an
incident.

Informed sources in the military disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that the armed forces are not taking
any chances about the threat, as movement is now restricted within the Defence Headquarters complex.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Director of Intelligence in the Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters
are now coordinating security arrangements at the Defence Headquarters and supervised by a Major-
General from the headquarters.

The source revealed that anybody coming to the Defence Headquarters complex must be on appointment
from a senior military officer or else no entry for such a visitor.

Also, the road by the gate of the Defence Headquarters has been blocked with military vehicles, with
fierce-looking armed soldiers manning it.
The source added that the military high command had consequently advised military officers within the
complex to mind the type of visitors they invite into the complex.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that additional security equipment to check vehicles and visitors have been
acquired by the armed forces and have already been put to use.

A top source at the Defence Headquarters told the Nigerian Tribune that "the military is the last hope of
every Nigerian, and once this place is targeted, then the country is in trouble and that is why additional
security measures are being put in place."

Only one entrance is designated for the service chiefs and senior military officers into the Defence
Headquarters which no private car is allowed to use.

The source disclosed that the Boko Haram sect was boasting that since they had succeeded in bombing
the Police Headquarters and the United Nations building, there was nothing preventing them from
bombing the Defence Headquarters.

Also, the exit gate at the Police Headquarters, which has been under lock since the bombing of the place
three months ago, has been blocked with an armoured vehicle to prevent anyone launching an attack from
there, just as it was done in the UN House bombing where the bomber drove through a disused entrance.

'Boko Haram'll not disintegrate Nigeria'

The presidential adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and chief executive officer of the Amnesty Programme,
Honourable Kingsley Kuku, in Abuja, on Thursday, said the activities of the Islamic group, Boko Haram,
would not lead to the break up of Nigeria.

Speaking on the implementation of the amnesty programme in the first 100 days of the present
administration, Kuku said the crisis would be resolved without disintegrating the country.

He recalled that the country had gone through similar, if not greater challenges since independence, from
which it emerged even stronger.
Kuku said God had been kind to Nigeria in the past, adding that he did not expect the Boko Haram
insurgency to destroy the country.

On the achievements of the amnesty office, Kuku said, "I wish to report to Nigerians that in the first 100
days of the Jonathan administration, the amnesty programme for ex-militants in the Niger Delta recorded
profound successes; and, as a result, peace, safety, security and development are being consolidated in the
Niger Delta."

According to him, 19,000 of the total enrolled number of 20,192 in the first phase of the programme had
been fully demobilised, having undertaken non-violence transformational training at the demobilisation
camp, located in Obubra, Cross River State.

The final batch of 1,192, according to him, would be demobilised this month, bringing to an end, the
demobilisation component of the first phase of the programme.

Kuku reiterated that the amnesty programme did not have a third phase, adding that youths who recently
claimed to have surrendered their arms to security agenci es would not be accepted into the programme.

He accused unnamed security men of colluding with the agitators in accepting arms from them after the
amnesty had closed, instead of them treating those people as criminals in possession of arms.

Illegal immigrants: Customs boss summons state comptrollers

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Rose Uzoma, on Thursday, read the Riot Act to the state
comptrollers of immigration and other top officers of the service for allowing illegal immigrants into the
country and constituting a security risk to the nation.

Mrs Uzoma, who summoned the state comptrollers of immigration service to an emergency meeting in
Abuja, on the growing insecurity in the country, was worried that intelligence reports had pointed to the
fact that some of the people involved in the recent bomb blasts in Nigeria were foreigners.

She urged the comptrollers to sit up, stressing that the immigration service remained the first line security
agent in the country and that efforts must be made to secure the borders.
Uzoma said the government was not unaware of logistic challenges being faced by the service but said
efforts were being made to address some of these operational challenges.

"I didn't call you here today for us to bemoan the lack of logistics we have. I invited all of you to sensitise
you to the present challenges once more and to remind you of our duties.

"The situation today is such that, this is not the time to ask what Nigeria can do for you. This is not the
time for us to bemoan budgetary insufficiency.

"This is the time for patriotism and display of rare courage and professionalism. This is the time to justify
all the investment Nigerian government has made in all of you. This is the time to put to test all the
trainings you have received. You just have to ignore the fact that you don't have enough and make
maximum use of what you have to secure our borders and the nation," the Comptroller-General said.

Mrs Uzoma, who emphasised that she would no longer tolerate excuses from any of the state comptrollers
where there were noticeable lapses, particularly blamed the security lapses being experienced on the
officers in charge of the northern states.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Politician Rejects Existence of Boko Haram; Blames West for Crisis in Nigeria

AFP20110910642010 Kano Pyramid Radio in Hausa 2030 GMT 26 Aug 11

Sani Sallau, a political analyst in Kano, rejects claims that there is a group called Boko Haram in Nigeria.
[Begin Sallau recording] I do not think the so-called members of the Boko Haram exist at all. It is a
deception by the Western world and properly executed by them. It is sometimes very expensive to work
for the United Nations because they will sacrifice any important member of their staff to prove a cause.
Nigeria will be turned into another Pakistan, using our people to kill our people. Just consider those
countries they planned for, did not they succeed? Russia, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen etc and now Libya,
and do not forget Iran and Syria are battling to survive.

Please my brothers and Sisters, just think. As for me, I do not think Boko Haram really exists. They are
just trying to divide our beloved Nigeria bearing in mind that it has abundant oil and other natural
resources. So, these are some of the basis for the Western countries to perpetuate their plots in Nigeria
since all they need to do is bomb and blame Boko Haram. [end recording]

[Description of Source: Madobi Pyramid Radio FM in Hausa - federal government-owned radio]

AFP: Explosions Rock Nigerian City Beset By Sectarian Unrest

EUP20110911638001 Paris AFP (North American Service) in English 11 Sep 11

[AFP headline-"Explosions rock Nigerian city beset by sectarian unrest"]

One person was wounded Sunday night after two explosions went off in the central Nigerian city of Jos,
security officials and witnesses said.

The blasts, which went off at a packed outdoor eatery in the city centre, were the latest in a series of
night-time attacks in and around Jos that have killed dozens of people.
"Yes, there were minor explosions, nothing serious," said Emmanuel Ayeni, police chief for Plateau state,
whose capital in Jos.

One person was reportedly wounded in the blasts -- the latest to hit Nigeria, Africa's most populous
country, in recent months.

Plateau state government spokesman Pam Ayuba said they suspected a member of the Islamist sect Boko
Haram had planted "two bombs".

"We are convinced it's Boko Haram and we highly think it's part of the (national) terrorist attacks," said
Ayuba.

It was Boko Haram that claimed responsibility for the August 26 suicide attack that killed at least 23
people at the UN headquarters in Abuja, one of the worst attacks to hit the United Nations.

Charles Ekeocha, a spokesman for a special military task force deployed in the city, also confirmed the
explosions, but gave no further details.

A resident Steve Aluko-Daniel said the blast had wounded one person.

And another local resident, who would only give her first name, Pauline, said: "I was in my room, when I
heard a blast that sounded like a dynamite, the kind used in blasting rocks."

Before she could establish what had happened, "we heard another blast and we saw people running away
from the area saying there were blasts."

While bomb blasts have rocked various parts of Nigeria in recent months, the city of Jos has become a
flashpoint of sectarian and ethnic clashes.

In recent years, it has been shaken by waves of violence between Christian and Muslim groups that have
left hundreds dead.
And in the past few days, gangs have raided villages, shooting and hacking to death entire families, with
the latest attacks targetting Christian communities. Christmas Eve bomb attacks in 2010 killed dozens in
Jos.

Jos lies in the so-called "middle-belt" between the predominantly Christian south and mainly Muslim
north of Africa's most populous nation.

The Geneva-based office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday
expressed concern at the resurgence of violence in central Nigeria.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation with 158 million people, divided roughly in half between a
mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (North American Service) in English -- North American service of the
independent French press agency Agence France-Presse]

Nigeria: Radical Islamist Sect Threatens To Attack Universities in South

AFP20110913683001 Lagos Vanguard Online in English 13 Sep 11

[Report by Ola Ajayi, Gabriel Enogholase: "Boko Haram Threatens To Bomb UI, UNIBEN, 18 Others"]

IBADAN - DISSATISFIED with its unchallenged bombing activities in the North, Boko Haram has
threatened to extend the reign of terror to southern parts of the country.
Leaders of the sect said yesterday that their radar was now on University of Ibadan (UI), University of
Benin (UNIBEN) and 18 other universities, which they said they would bomb between yesterday
(September 12) and September 17.

Boko Haram sent an e-mail last Thursday to the mail box of UNIBEN Registrar, notifying the institution
of its resolve to bomb the university as part of its agenda to stop western education in the country. Last
week, there was a bomb scare at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.

In the purported e-mail, the Islamic Sect gave September 12 to 17 as the target date to detonate bombs at
the higher institution, warning that the message was "not a threat, but a notification which must be strictly
adhered to."

The sect declared that it had listed University of Benin alongside 19 other universities where it planned to
explode bombs within the stipulated period it gave, saying "Western education must stop in Nigeria. May
Allah bless us."

In order not to be caught off guards, UNIBEN authorities yesterday beefed up security at the two
campuses of the institution. Security personnel thoroughly searched every car moving in and out of the
institution.

Vanguard gathered that against the backdrop of the threat, several students of the university have
voluntarily stayed away from the institution as a precautionary measure to avoid being victims of the
planned bomb blast.

Contacted yesterday, the University Public Relations Officer, Mr. Harrison Osarenren confirmed the
receipt of the Boko Haram threat e-mail message.

However, there were indications yesterday that many of the students were unaware of the threat as
lectures went on smoothly.

UI receives threat too

Relatedly, UI management also confirmed Boko Haram's threat to bomb the university between 12 and
17 September.
The rumour was confirmed yesterday by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Pro. Elijah Afolabi
Bamigboye while speaking with newsmen at the institution

The threat led to serious panic among the staff and students and there was heavy security presence at the
main entrance that is opposite Agbowo Shopping Complex.

Many staff and visitors going into the campus were subjected to thorough search by security operatives
who were armed with AK 47 rifles and bullet proof jackets.

Motorists entering the institution waited many hours in a traffic snarl and this affected all vehicles coming
from Ojoo end of the road.

Prof. Bamigboye, who said he too was subjected to thorough search, said the security beef-up was
necessary to check any eventuality.

His words: "We heard rumours that a group which detests education is likely to descend on institutions
where education is being imparted. We heard that UI is top on the list. When we heard the rumour of
threat to bomb UI, we did not want to take chances. We've heard of experiences in the past, especially the
recent bombing of the UN house in Abuja as well as the Force headquarters which left several people
dead. The essence is to sensitize the community and to alert the people on the rumour. We directed the
security department to step up screening of all vehicles into the campus. My car too was subjected to
thorough search this morning."

The don condemned the threat and the accompanying traffic logjam saying it was not the best for the
institution's image now that some foreigners were preparing to come.

"You can imagine if such international people were to come to UI now and face this traffic snarl. Of
course, they will go back and who knows, they could go back to their country to spread the information
that Nigerian universities are not safe," he lamented.

For a host of southerners, it used to sound like news from distant lands even though it was so close as
newspapers, television and radio stations buzzed with reports of deadly bomb explosions detonated by the
dreaded Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, in many Northern cities including Abuja, the Federal Capital
Territory, FCT.
For about a year now, counting from the October 1, 2010 Independence Day twin bomb explosions in
Abuja, Boko Haram had stepped up its campaign to stop western education in Nigeria with a series of
bomb blasts including a recent car-bombing of the Police Headquarters, Abuja and the bombing of the
United Nations office in Abuja, which claimed scores of lives and with property worth millions of Naira
destroyed.

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard Online in English -- Website of the independent widely read
daily; URL: http://www.vanguardngr.com]

AFP: Nigeria Charges 8 Suspects Over Bombings Near Capital

EUP20110913764001 Paris AFP (North American Service) in English 13 Sep 11

[AFP headline-"Nigeria charges 8 suspects over bombings near capital"]

A Nigerian court on Tuesday charged eight suspects in connection with a string of deadly bombings near
the capital Abuja after authorities said the attacks were linked to Islamist group Boko Haram.

The eight are accused of being behind four separate attacks between March and July this year in which 24
people were killed in the town of Suleija and at Buhari village, both near Abuja.

They all pleaded innocent before a magistrates' court in the capital.

One of the suspects confessed to having previously been a member of Boko Haram, which has been
blamed for repeated attacks in the north of the country and which claimed responsibility for a bomb blast
at UN headquarters in Abuja on August 26.

Ahmed Hassan Ezimakor said he did not take part in the bombing, but helped obtain the explosives. He
said he joined the sect in 2008 but quit early this year.

"I met Salisu Ahmed (one of the suspects) in 2008 when we joined Boko Haram," Ezimakor told the
court.

The worst of the attacks the eight are alleged to have staged was on the eve of parliamentary elections in
April, when a bomb rocked a local election office, killing 16 people, mainly recent graduates hired as
election officials.

Other explosives went off outside the venue of a political rally, another at a church and yet another at a
village near Abuja.

The secret police last week claimed to have unearthed a bomb-making factory near Suleija and made six
arrests.

The suspects were ordered to return to court on October 4.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (North American Service) in English -- North American service of the
independent French press agency Agence France-Presse]
Nigeria: Boko Haram Threatens to Bomb 19 Universities

AFP20110914606001 Lagos Guardian in English 13 Sep 11 p 2

[Report by Iyabo Lawal, Alema-Ozioruva Aliu and Taiwo Gbadamosi: "Anxiety at UI, UNIBEN over
Boko Haram threat"]

Security was beefed up yesterday at the University of Ibadan [UI] as well as the Ekenwan and Ugbowo
campuses of the University of Benin [UNIBEN] following reports of alleged plans by the Islamic sect,
Boko Haram to bomb some top universities in the country. At the entrance of UI, armed security
personnel were seen in bullet-proof jackets frisking all vehicles entering the campus. This led to a heavy
traffic snarl along the Samonda, Bodija and Ojoo end of the city as vehicles coming into the campus were
thoroughly frisked. The Guardian learnt that security was beefed up in the institution following security
reports that the university was to be bombed by the Boko Haram group between 12 and 17 September.

In an interview with reporters, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Afolabi Bamigboye
said: "We heard rumors that a group which detests education is likely to descend on institutions where
education is being imparted and that UI is top on the list. When we heard the rumor of threat to bomb UI,
we did not want to take chances."

In Benin, all vehicles going into and coming out of Ekenwan and Ugbowo campuses of UNIBEN were
searched and the occupants frisked before they were allowed into or out of the campuses. The sect was
said to have sent an email message to the Registrar of the university, Dr. G. O. Ogboghodo saying that the
school was one of the 19 penciled down for attack which they said would take place between 12 and 17
September. Confirming the development, the school’s spokesman, Harrison Osareneren said: "They sent
it through bokoharamewe@yahoo.com to the registrar@uniben.edu. They said in regard to the eradication
of western education in Nigeria, this university has been short-listed among the other 19 universities that
will experience a series of bomb blasts."

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian in English - independent daily]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Reportedly Threatens To Bomb US Consulate Lagos

FEA20110914021972 - OSC Feature - Nigerian Compass Online 2300 GMT 13 Sep 11

[Report by Johnchuks Onuanyim and Gbenga Akingbule: "US Embassy Gets Boko Haram Bomb
Threat"]

Security was on the red alert at the United States embassy at Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island,
Lagos State, yesterday following reports of plans by some members of the Islamic fundamentalist group,
Boko Haram, to bomb the place.

Police offices from Zone 2 in the state were swiftly deployed to the area to join the US security forces.

On Monday night, four persons were killed by suspected members of the group at a local drinking joint
when a bomb exploded at Jajeri in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

An inside source told Nigerian Compass that the threat to the US embassy was real but added that the
government and the embassy were on top of the situation. Bomb detectors were used to scan vehicles
going in and out of the area which also houses other embasses.

Eyewitness account revealed that the four who died in Maiduguri include the manager of the joint, a bar
attendant and two customers.

The Nigerian Compass learnt that a group of unidentified men had, before the attack, warned the residents
to vacate the area, vowing to launch an attack.

Although the state Commissioner of Police Mr. Simeon Midenda, gave the death toll at two, eye-
witnesses insisted that it was four. Midenda said that they were killed about 8:45p.m., adding that the
police had "since cordoned off the area with a view to protecting lives and property".
Midenda revealed that the attackers had besieged the joint requesting for money and decided to kill the
owner and the bar attendant when their request was turned down.

"It was the wife of the deceased who was inside the joint that later gave the police this information," he
said: adding: "We are doing our very best to ensure the protection of lives and properties in Borno State.
We once again are calling on well-meaning citizens to furnish the police with useful information, because
security is everybody's business".

Our correspondent also gathered that the children of the drinking joint owner had, due to prevailing
security challenges advised, their late father to desist from the business.

Also yesterday, one of the suspected Boko Haram members arrested by the Department of the State
Service (DSS) said that the spate of bomb attacks in the country is to avenge the death of the leader of the
sect, Mohammed Yusuf.

The suspect, Ahmed Hassan Ezemako, standing trial with seven others at the Magistrate's Court 11,
Wuse, Abuja, said he was a member of violent sect from inception, but later opted out and was later
invited by one of the leaders, Basha, who is at large.

Ezemako further told the court that when he was invited by Basha, he was told that they have to undergo
training to avenge the death of their leader.

The suspects were charged before Magistrate Oyewumi Oyebola with a two-count of criminal
intimidation and threat to life, as well as voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means contrary
to Section 97, sub-sections 248(1) and 397 of the penal code and punishable under the same section.

Also read to them were the facts supporting the charges, including the death of 16 persons at the INEC
office in Suleja on 8 April 2011; the death of three persons at a political rally in Suleja on March, 3, 2011;
the death of three police officers on May 23, 2011 at Dakwa village, Bwari, FCT; and the deaths of three
persons at the All Christian Fellowship Church, Suleja on July 10, 2011.

Seven other suspects arraigned with Ezemako are: Shuaibu Abubakakr, Mohammed Dahattu, Salisu
Ahmed, Umar Babangida Umar, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adamu and Umar Ibrahim, who pleaded not
guilty to the charges.

Although, Ezemako pleaded guilty to one of the charges, the trial magistrate entered not guilty for him
since the case of guilt could not be established yet.
According to the magistrate, despite Ezemakor's acceptance of guilt to one of the charges, she has to enter
"not guilty" since the court cannot really establish that guilt on him until the trial began properly.

The case was adjourned t ill October 4 for mentioning since the DSS counsel, C.I. Osagie said some other
suspects might also be arraigned.

While stating his involvement, Ezemakor, said through his friend, Ahmed, he was invited by Basha and
was taught how to use AK 47 rifle.

According to him, after the training, himself, Salisu and Basha swore to an oath of secrecy and Basha told
them that they have to avenge the death of Yusuf.

The late Yusuf was last year shot dead by men of the Nigeria Police Force after he was arrested by
soldiers and handed over to the police.

Since his death, several bomb attacks have rocked the country, which the Islamic fundamentalists claimed
responsibility for.

Meanwhile, the military high command yesterday issued an alert to the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the
Niger Delta to increase surveillance around oil installations, a source has said.

The move follows a series of bombings by the violent Muslim sect Boko Haram in recent weeks.

Although the bombings, which have claimed dozens of lives, have so far taken place in the North-East
and the North-Central zones, security sources said reports have emerged of plans by the group to extend
the bombing campaign to the South.

There was panic at the universities of Ibadan and Benin yesterday over threat e-mails sent to some
officials of the institutions in which those claiming to be Boko Haram members informed them of their
decision to launched a bombing campaign in 16 universities in the country.

The group had claimed responsibility for the August 26 bombing of the United Nations (U.N.) building in
Abuja, in which 23 people died and over 80 were injured.

Boko Haram has also claimed responsibility for a June bomb attack on the Police Force Headquarters in
Abuja.

Meanwhile, the JTF also said yesterday that it was giving Niger Delta militants, who had repented until
September 18 to surrender their weapons.
"The JTF has issued a deadline of September 18, this year, to all militants still bearing arms in the Niger
Delta to surrender such weapons at any of the JTF units. Anyone found with arms after the deadline will
be arrested and treated as a criminal," JTF spokesman, Lt-Col. Timothy Antigha, said.

The military's action, Antigha added, was to implement the provision in the amnesty deal between the
government and militants, which stipulated that any rebel who failed to surrender his weapons by October
2009 would be charged with criminal offences.

Antigha dismissed claims that the activities of the JTF were responsible for the renewed agitation by
some ex-militants in the region for the implementation of the third phase of the amnesty programme.

He said the security outfit had nothing to do with the running of the programme, which he explained was
the prerogative of the Federal Government.

Antigha said the task force was only concerned with taking control of the illegal arms and ammunition in
the possession of some ex-militants.

He added: "So far, the JTF has mopped several thousands of arms and ammunition, which would
otherwise have been used to perpetrate crime in the region and the nation in general.

"The JTF believes that the Niger Delta region is more secured with these arms recovered from
unauthorised persons.

"It is, therefore, with utmost shock and disappointment that the JTF views the recent willful and
mischievous misinterpretation of its patriotic duty to mean incitement of ex-militants to agitate for the
third phase of the amnesty programme."

But, in a reaction to the JTF statement, two ex-militants (names withheld) vowed yesterday, on behalf of
their group in a separate statements in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to continue with their agitation.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, commended the JTF
for its patriotic duties to the nation.
The Head of Media and Communications, Presidential Amnesty Office, Henry Ogbolue, in a statement,
said the JTF should continue to mop up illegal arms in the region, and warned "mischief makers" against
dragging back the amnesty programme.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Report Quotes Boko Haram as Saying UN House Attack Meant to Impress al-Qaeda

AFP20110914619001 Lagos TheNews in English 12 Sep 11 - 19 Sep 11 14-20

[Report by Oluokun Ayorinde: "Why the Aziza team is failing"]

Mutual suspicion and lack of cooperation among the intelligence agencies are reasons for Nigeria’s
failure to curb activities of terrorists

With two successful suicide bomb attacks on high profile targets in the heart of the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja, members of the Yusufiya Islamic sect, popularly known as Boko Haram cannot be
accused of exhibiting unnecessary chutzpah when talking about their deadly feats.
 Indeed, if the group’s sole intention is to demonstrate its capability, it could not have chosen better
targets than those it has launched attacks on so far. Louis Edet House, Area 11, Garki in Abuja, where the
group first demonstrated its ability to carry out suicide attacks, on 16 Jun 2011, is the headquarters of the
Nigeria Police. The building straddles the three arms zone where the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the
National Assembly, and the Supreme Court are located.

The topmost echelon of the law enforcement agency have their offices in the multi-storey building and
Hafiz Ringim, the inspector general of police, who was the prime target of the attack, barely escaped
being killed by the suicide bomber. But about a dozen others were not so lucky.

The United Nations building, situated in Area 10 Abuja on which the group launched another successful
suicide attack on 26 Aug, was considered one of the most secured premises in the federal capital with its
elaborate regime of screening visitors. The building is just a stone’s throw from the heavily fortified
embassy of the United States of America.

"Of course, our objective is to place Nigeria in a difficult situation and even destabilize it and replace its
government with the Sharia model. Whether we will conduct such Islamic government or not is a
different issue," one Abu Qaqa, who claimed to be a deputy to Abu Zaid, the spokesman of the Boko
Haram group, told an Abuja-based newspaper.

"The UN represents unbelief and they support the Nigerian government which we are fighting.
Attacking the UN is like a process of cleansing, just like what Allah says in Surah Tauba 9 Verse 14," the
spokesperson told the newspaper. Boko Haram gave the same reason for the attack on the global body in
interviews with some foreign radio stations immediately after the blast which claimed 23 lives.

The sect, also known as Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati wal Jihad, had earlier exclusively given the
details and photograph of the suicide bomber used in the bombing of the Police Headquarters to the
publication. Qaqa said that the attack on the UN was carried out with a stolen Honda car, driven overnight
from Maiduguri to the federal capital by one Mohammed, a 27-year-old panel beater popularly known as
Abul Barra within the sect.

He claimed that the bomber had bribed his way through the numerous checkpoints mounted by different
security agencies to get to Abuja. "There are a large number of our brothers all eager to carry out suicide
missions because of the abundant reward that awaits the person.

So, we decided to introduce balloting to avoid disharmony among us and Abul was lucky to be chosen
to carry out the attack," the spokesperson, who claimed that there are hundreds of trained suicide bombers
waiting to carry out similar missions at different targets, said.
 Terence Mc-Culley, the American Ambassador to Nigeria, was quoted by The New York Times as
describing the attack on the UN building by the sect as a "paradigm shift," and that "it suggests that the
Boko Haram has upped its game, if you will. It seems to show that it wishes to expand its scope beyond
the domestic."

When asked if the strongly fortified US embassy located in the same vicinity could be a target, the
Ambassador said: "It would be foolish to consider that we are not a possible target as well." The Boko
Haram had indeed listed the US embassy, the National Assembly and the Aso Rock presidential villa as
its prime targets for future attacks.

The successful bombing of the UN has especially spawned concerns in diplomatic circles as many of
the Ambassadors rue the fact that Nigeria may have joined the league of terrorist countries. Thus, many of
the diplomatic missions have embarked of feverish review of their security arrangements.

For one, unlike before when they relied on private security guards, most of the diplomatic missions in
Abuja now have well-kitted police officers in their premises. Some of the embassies, led by the United
Kingdom, are also implementing new security measures, especially relating to access to their premises.

President Goodluck Jonathan tried to allay such fears when he received Park Young-Kuk, the outgoing
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in his office last Wednesday. The president told the Ambassador
that relevant authorities are working hard to check the activities of terrorists in the country and assured
diplomats and other foreigners living in Nigeria that the government would not relent in its efforts in this
regard.

He added that terrorist activities were strange to Nigeria and so, it posed immediate challenges to the
security agencies. The Police and Olugbenga Ashiru, the Nigeria minister of Foreign Affairs, had also
assured the diplomats of their safety. But the anxiety is not limited to the diplomatic corps.

As many Nigerians feverishly condemned the terrorist act in as strong a language as possible, they also
did not hold back in censuring the security agencies for the lapses that enabled the sect to carry out the
act. Not a few persons believe that the security agencies have been sleeping on their watch even as
terrorists take over the nation, with bomb attacks becoming a regular affair in some parts of the country.

The attacks have since 2010 become routine as it now takes only a hit on a major target to be on the
front pages of national newspapers. While government officials led by the president and heads of the
various security agencies have consistently said that they are "on top of the situation," a phrase usually
accompanied with assertions of determination to "bring the culprits to book," after any successful attack,
there is nothing to justify that they are living up to that promise.
 Rather, it is members of the militant sect that have demonstrated time and time again their ability to
strike at any location and target of their choice at any given time. The attack on the Force Headquarters
for instance, occurred less than 48 hours after the inspector general of police promised to eradicate
members of the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri.

The Police had promised hell for the group and its members immediately after the attack just as they
promised to unravel the brains behind the bomb blast that resulted in the death of about 10 people. But
there was no tangible evidence that the Police lived up to this promise as what was subsequently
witnessed was an intense deterioration of the security situation in Maiduguri especially, and some areas of
Bauchi State where the group is also active.

In the months of May, June, and July, for instance, bomb blasts were virtually a daily occurrence in
Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State, resulting in deaths of scores of people.

There were also bomb attacks in parts of Bauchi State and a series of explosions in Suleja, a suburb of
Abuja where scores of people were killed in the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission
on the eve of the April presidential election.

As a result of the deterioration in the security situation, the federal government, some months ago,
drafted over 3000 men of the Nigerian Army to parts of Borno State where members of the sect are very
active to support Police efforts. But rather than alleviate it, the security situation worsened as a result of
attacks and counter-attacks between men of the military task force and suspected members of the Boko
Haram sect.

Even with the presence of the Joint Task Force, not less than 60 lives were lost to bomb attacks
attributed to the fundamentalist sect in a space of three weeks between June and July. Operations of the
Task Force have also been riddled with allegations of violations of human rights.

Soldiers have been accused of descending on the people living in Maiduguri, ransacking their houses,
assaulting or arresting the occupants on the excuse of searching for members of the sect, especially
immediately after the group successfully carries out an attack. Some residents have also complained of
being assaulted on the road by soldiers.

In a press release signed by Aminu Sani, its chairman, the Borno State branch of Nigerian Bar
Association, demanded the investigation of alleged cases of human rights abuses and punishment of
security personnel found to have carried out such acts, while asserting that "security challenges require
intelligence operations and not over-militarization of the society, massive, indiscriminate, and arbitrary
arrest without justification."
 On the other hand, the Task Force authorities have also accused some residents of Maiduguri of
accommodating and allowing members of the group to use their houses as escape routes after any attack.

Concerned by the general sense of insecurity in the country, principally precipitated by the
indiscriminately planted improvised explosive devices and gun attacks by members of the Boko Haram,
the Senate had last June summoned the inspector general of police and other security chiefs to brief it on
measures being taken to tackle the problem. This was after the successful suicide attack on the Police
Headquarters.

Security chiefs present at the three-hour closed-door meeting with the senators included retired General
Owoye Azazi, the National Security Adviser; Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Pentirin, Chief of Defense Staff;
Hafiz Ringim, and Ita Ekpeyong, Director General of the State Security Services [SSS].

The security chiefs took turns to brief the lawmakers on what they were doing to tackle the security
challenge posed by the dissident Islamic sect.

"At the end of the day, I can say with certainty that the security chiefs have assured Nigerians that they
are on top of the situation and that these challenges, particularly, the challenge of the Boko Haram sect,
will be curtailed sooner than later," Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Senate Leader, who spoke to journalists after
the meeting said of the impression members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly got from the
briefings by the security chiefs.

It however seems as if the security chiefs have gone to sleep after their meeting with the lawmakers.
This is because, in spite of their assurances, the fundamentalist sect has continued with its campaign of
killing and maiming, using improvised explosives and gun attacks, especially on officials of the security
agencies.

The inaction of the agencies culminated in the attack on the UN building on 26 Aug. "We are, however,
deeply worried at the growing spate of bombings in Nigeria and the apparent inability of the Nigerian
security agencies to effectively handle the situation," the Trade Union Congress, said in a statement in
which it also condemned the attack on the global body.

"This attack is a wake-up call on the Nigerian government to take security matters much more
seriously," said the Nigeria Labor Congress. However, five days after the attack on the UN building, the
SSS released a statement indicating that it had prior information that an attack by the fundamentalist
group was in the offing in the federal capital.
 In the statement signed by Marilyn Ogar, its spokesperson, the intelligence agency disclosed that it
received information on 18 Aug that members of the dissident sect were planning their second attack on a
location in Abuja. The security agency, in the statement, identified and declared wanted one Mamman
Nur, who it said has links with global terrorist group, al-Qaeda, as the brain behind the attack.

"Investigation has revealed that one Mamman Nur, a notorious Boko Haram element with al-Qaeda
links who returned recently from Somalia, working in concert with two suspects masterminded the attack
on the United Nations building in Abuja," the SSS said in the statement.

The agency identified the car used for the attack as a Honda car with registration number AV 38N SR,
purchased on 3 Sep 2002 and registered on 3 Dec 2002. The agency said that it swiftly moved into action
to stop the attack and efforts of its officers led to the arrest of two men – Babagana Ismail Kwaljima and
Babagan Mali, who the agency said had ties to Boko Haram and were planning the attack.

The security agency however did not state how it arrived at the conclusion that they took part in the
attack plot. In the absence of such information, the claims of the SSS have been met with disbelief in
some quarters. "If the SSS said they have the information, with who did they shared it?" queried a
security source.

"If the SSS cannot use the information to prevent the attack, of what use is it for them to go public with
it now?" he added. Azazi, the National Security Adviser, who is supposed to coordinate all security issues
in the country, also told a national newspaper that he was not aware of such information.

Even the Boko Haram sect has disputed some of the claims of the SSS.

The fundamentalist group told the Abuja-based newspaper referred to earlier in this story, that contrary to
assertions by the intelligence agency, the attack on the UN building was directed by one Abubakar Sheku,
who it described as the leader of the sect.

Qaqa admitted that the two men in the custody of the SSS are members of the sect and that Nur, who
was declared wanted, has always been part of the various actions carried out by the group. "We planned
the attack under the command of our leader, Abubakar Sheku, so why should Nur be declared wanted
now when in actual fact, he has been part and parcel of all what we have been doing from day one?

Are we not all wanted ever since? Nobody was arrested in connection with this particular attack. If they
have arrested some of our members, it is a different thing, but this attack was planned like every other
attack," he said.
 He, however, agreed with the SSS that members of the group are in alliance with the global terrorist
organization, the al-Qeada. The attack on the UN building, he said, was carried out to impress the al-
Qaeda of the seriousness of the Boko Haram sect.

"Our relationship with al-Qeada is very strong. In fact, our leader and his team were in Mecca for the
lesser Hajj to consolidate on that relationship. And we carried out the attack on the UN building when he
was about to go into a meeting with al-Qaeda leadership in order to consolidate our position."

This is not the first time that the sect will be contradicting the position of the intelligence agency. Boko
Haram had similarly dismissed claims by the SSS that it arrested about 100 of its members in the
aftermath of the attack on the Police Headquarters.

Last Tuesday, the SSS in a statement also announced that it had recorded a breakthrough in uncovering
the brains behind the series of bomb blasts in Suleja, Niger State with the arrest of six men who it
described as members of the militant Islamic sect and the discovery of a factory where bombs used in the
attacks were assembled.

The agency said that it has established that the arrested men were behind the attacks and will soon
arraign them in court for the crime. But critics have argued that it is not the job of the SSS to arrest and
parade suspects. Rather, the job of the agency should be to gather intelligence that can be used to prevent
such attacks.

Worse still, there have been little efforts seen towards prosecuting the various suspects the intelligence
agency claimed it had arrested. "Did they not say after the bombing of the police headquarters that they
arrested some Boko Haram members? Where are they? Which courts were they prosecuted?

These people are reducing governance to a child’s play. They are making us a joke to the whole world.
Is this how a serious government should respond to this kind of national embarrassment and national
carnage?" an enraged General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of Congress for
Progressive Change, had asked.

There have been subtle insinuations, however, that the retired military officer is either sponsoring the
group or the group is sympathetic to him. Though no government official has yet come out to level this
charge against Buhari, it was gathered that some leaders of the security agencies are pointing accusing
fingers at him based on some statements he made just before the 2011 presidential election in which he
emerged as runner-up to President Jonathan.
 Investigation by this magazine however revealed that one of the major hindrances to the effectiveness
of the security agencies is mutual suspicion and infighting among the leadership.

Former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida had in 1986 through Decree 19, dissolved the
octopus National Security Organization [NSO] and replaced it with three separate entities under the
Office of the coordinator of National Security: The State Security Service, responsible for domestic
intelligence; the National Intelligence Agency, responsible for foreign intelligence and counter-
intelligence operations and; the Defense Intelligence Agency, responsible for military intelligence.

These are in addition to the Nigerian Police. Activities of the various intelligence agencies are supposed
to be coordinated by the National Security Adviser. The various agencies are also supposed to share
intelligence among each another and coordinate their responses to such intelligence.

But it was gathered that this has not been possible as a result of undue rivalry and quest for "personal
glory" at the topmost levels of the agencies. The lack of teamwork, said a source, was responsible for the
failure of the agencies to prevent the UN building attack even though information about the plan was
received nine days before it was carried out.

Azazi confirmed this when he denied receiving any report that the Boko Haram was set to attack the
UN building in an interview with The Guardian Newspaper: "I did not receive a specific report. Ask the
SSS. There was nothing like that, Critics should be able to produce evidence that such a report was
received," he said.

The newspaper had also in another report indicated how 14 reports prepared under the leadership of
Afakriya Gadzama as the director general of the SSS which detailed the activities of Mohammed Yusuf,
the leader of the Boko Haram sect, who was killed in police custody in 2009, were neglected by former
police boss, Mike Okiro.

The newspaper reported that one of the 14 untreated reports contained a series of intelligence and
dossier on Malam Yusuf. Though Ogbonna Onovo, Okiro’s successor, inherited the reports, it was
doubtful if he did anything about it until the 2009 uprising of the group which set off the present crisis in
Maiduguri.

Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar, former NSA, had also in 2009, reportedly issued a strongly worded query to
the director general of the national intelligence agency, Ambassador E.O. Oladeji, over the failure of his
office to share information it had on Umar Farouk Mutallab, a Nigerian currently in the custody of the US
security agencies on allegations of trying to bring down an America-bound aircraft with a bomb.
 "From all indications, it seemed that your agency had prior knowledge of a report said to have been
made by Alhaji Umar Mutallab about the tendencies of his son, Umar Farouk, towards radicalization,
which was manifested in the incident leading to his arrest in the U.S.

"It is really unfortunate and sad that knowledge of such an important intelligence issue could not be
brought to the attention of this office or the weekly Intelligence Community Committee Meeting. It was
this failure that led to the unfortunate incident we are grappling with now," the ex-security adviser said in
the query titled; "Alleged Involvement of Umar Farouk Mutallab in an Attempt to Bomb a US Airliner."

Mukhtar added: "The report if it had been circulated within the committee would have alerted the
security agencies at our Travel Control Points to take appropriate required action that would have led to
his arrest before boarding the KLM flight from Nigeria, thereby pre-empting the sad incident." The lack
of cooperation and mutual suspicion among the heads of the intelligence agencies however transcends the
sharing of information.

This magazine learnt that another source of friction between them is the control of the budget allocated
for specific projects designed to enhance national security.

It was gathered that some of the leaders of the security agencies were not happy when the funds for the
installation of CCTV cameras around Abuja were given to the inspector general of police in the aftermath
of the bombing at Mogadishu Barracks, Abuja in December last year. There are also allegations that the
present security adviser is relying too much on the military, hence the hasty deployment of soldiers to the
streets in response to bomb attacks.

Sources, however, indicated that the Azazi’s predecessor as security adviser cannot be absolved of
blame. It was gathered that the issue of al-Qaeda affiliated cells in the Northeastern part of the country
was pointed out to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as far back as 2006.

It was noted for instance that the Boko Haram, called then the "Nigerian Taliban", had been operating in
the clear since 2005 when retired General Aliyu Gusau was the national security adviser. The former
president was said to have in turn asked Gusau to investigate the issue. But Gusau, according to reports,
told Obasanjo that no such group existed in the country.

It was gathered that the same issue of Taliban presence in Nigeria was raised with the late President
Umaru Yar’Adua in July 2007. "Goodluck Jonathan became president of Nigeria upon the death of
Umaru Yar’Adua in May 2010.
 Former security adviser, Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, was once again made National Security Adviser.
Gusau could not possibly have missed the threat of Boko Haram. If his security operatives failed to raise
the matter in their reports, then the public statements released by the Boko Haram and printed verbatim in
Nigeria’s national newspapers should have raised questions from the adviser if not alarm," said Steven
Davis, a public commentator.

"The handling of the Boko Haram matter while Gusau was the national security adviser resulted in a
dramatic escalation in the conflict to the stage that it threatened the nation’s security," he added.

Recent information from leaked diplomatic cables published by Wikiliks also indicated how traditional
rulers from the Northern part of the country ensured that those arrested for being members of the Boko
Haram sect in 2007 were not prosecuted. The traditional rulers, it was indicated, had piled pressure on the
intelligence agencies to get the suspects released to them on the excuse that they were going to change
their orientation.

Beyond the blame game, analysts said, what is needed is a radical overhaul of the Nigerian security
agencies. "First, we need to prioritize intelligence gathering, processing and utilization in our security
operations.

Two, rather than see this as an avenue to make money, security agencies must intensify joint operations
rather than solo efforts. Three, political leadership must not give the impression that impunity is the rule
rather than the exception on this matter," Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, said of the
measures needed to tackle the problem.

"There are too many free spaces in Nigeria with over 1,500 un-policed border entries that serve as
veritable sources of nefarious external operatives with internal collaborators," Fayemi added. President
Jonathan had also said that his administration is embarking on the redesign of the Nigerian security
architecture in response to the new security challenge.

Last Tuesday, the President also convened a special National Council of State meeting to discuss the
various security problems the country is facing. The National Council of State is a statutory body whose
membership comprises the President, the Vice President, former Heads of State, Governors of the 36
states, former and incumbent Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the
national security adviser.

While briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the security adviser, with unusual candor,
agreed that the nation’s security forces were not prepared for the challenges they are being confronted
with now. "The problem is that we were not as a nation prepared for this new level of terrorism," he had
said.
 He was however quick to add that the various agencies are reviewing their operations and fashioning
new tactics, following the Boko Haram bombings and killings, while warning that "the security
challenges are here to stay." He added that "to solve crime, sometimes, you need a national identity
database. We are trying to put that together. We are talking of putting up a strategy on protection of
critical national infrastructure."

He also agreed that there was need for the security agencies to improve their working relationship as
well as their interface with the general public. "We agree on the use of technology and you don’t acquire
those things overnight.

Issues like the registration of SIM card are properly being carried out; we talked about border control,
how to help the Immigration to make sure that there is proper border control; we talked of security in
maritime environment. Those issues were addressed," Azazi said of some of the key points agreed upon at
the meeting.

However, some analysts have argued that there is little the country can achieve until the constitution is
amended to allow for the setting up of State Police. In the same vein, it has been argued that the problem
of Boko Haram cannot be solved until the socio-economic conditions that gave rise to it are addressed.

"I think we’d like to see Nigeria take a more holistic approach," said McCulley. He added that the way
the uprising of the Boko Haram sect was put down in 2009 may have resulted in the present escalation.

The American Ambassador therefore suggested that the government "should address the grievances" of
the northern population on economic and social matters as a way of tackling the problem of the militant
group.

The 29 Aug killing in Jos was another sign of the failure of intelligence. Critics wondered why the
federal government’s intelligence network did not foresee and pre-empt the attacks by fighters from the
Christian and Muslim sides.

According to a critic in Jos, the attacks always follow the same pattern - assailants creep in at night and
using the same weapons.

While it is good to deploy the military to Jos and other scenes of crime, this fire-brigade approach has
consistently failed as was the case in Bauchi. Therefore, analysts want a proactive approach to finding
solution to the crisis in Jos and other epicenters of fracas.
[Description of Source: Lagos TheNews in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Analyst Wants Vice President to Design Re-Radicalization Program for Northern Muslims

AFP20110916619001 Lagos National Daily in English 12 Sep 11 - 19 Sep 11 9

[Analysis by Nkechi Nwosu: UN: A sad smear stunt"]

As Nigeria and the rest members of the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS]
brace to pool security strengths to stem the tide of terrorism in the sub-region and as probe of the attack
on the United Nations offices in Abuja gets under way, Associate Editor NKECHI NWOSU takes a
critical look at the seeming smear stunt against the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and
proffers possible remedy for the saga.

That the world is increasingly becoming unsafe in spite of the giant strides in the war against terrorism
by the United States and its allies, is a sad development which should give security agencies worldwide
food for thought. That alien violence trait is fast pervading the continent hitherto revered for its
hospitality and peace loving virtues is even more worrisome.

But the fact that terrorists could beat all eagle-eyed security operatives in the Federal Capital Territory
and successfully attack the United Nation’s offices in Abuja barely months after last 1 Oct Golden Jubilee
Independence anniversary violence saga is unpardonable and smacks of another security blunder that
should again bother all well-meaning Nigerians.

That beyond the foreign missions, no agency, department, state, or personality in Nigeria is safe from
the dastardly fate that jolted the over 400 workers of the 26 UN agencies and department in Ahuja is not a
tale by moonlight.

The fact that the Nigerian electorate overwhelmingly endorsed the fact that Nigeria should become a
democratic country, President Goodluck Jonathan must therefore, work with his team to right the image
of the country, shore up overseas partners and investors' confidence and fast-track development.

This is a mission that must be swiftly pursued with all seriousness too and in Unison. That the pen for
terrorism listing is now again dangling over Africa's giant nation and about to drop is one bitter truth
Nigerians must soon come to grasp with if no concerted and concrete energy is channeled by all leaders -
traditional, political, religious, and youth, in the appropriate directions to halt the smear campaign against
the Heart-beat of Africa.

By implication, it is time to tackle the monster full blast and not casting aspersion on which leader is
failing somewhere, while the rest of us could lend the needed support and strengthen the issues for the
betterment of the nation.

Maligning of the Presidency

Often, Nigerian leaderships have tried to impress on whosoever cared to listen that there is zero
tolerance for violence and by extension that trouble sponsors or patrons of mischief risked sanction.

But in recent times and without prejudice, the commitment of Nigerians to upholding this decree has
been lukewarm. Rather, the blame for all violence or dastardly attacks has been heaped at the door step of
the presidency. Indeed, this is a misguided missile.

Until Nigerians have a change of attitude and tell ourselves the bitter truth and stop shielding miscreants
and all known unscrupulous individuals for fear or favor, or other numerous (un) defined linkages, then
the nation would continue to sit on the terrorists' pack of dynamites.

Who a typical Nigerian is not

 Unlike the way it is rampant in most Arab and Islamic Nations, the average Nigerian is a happy
individual who values own life above all other things. Thus, suicide bombing is a distant dessert.

But with ease at which cases of bomb attacks are recorded in the recent months and weeks in the
country, the dangerous suicide trend seems to have become the vogue, raising more doubts on the origin
of the attackers and their real grouse for striking.

Campaign by professional, not couriers

Furthermore, the emerging sophistication and precision in delivery by the bombers would but suggest,
as one Northern Moslem and traditional leader recently affirmed in his Muslim Festival message, that the
attackers are no mere street urchins or couriers, but well-educated individuals with the grand mastery of
modern hi-technology in communications as well as advanced techniques in bomb-making as well as
usage.

Expanding the terror drag-net

While the authorities tarried to bring to book the suspects apprehended so far in relation to the series of
bomb attacks that have rocked the country, it served as added impetus for their colleagues who could
have been deterred by swift justice.

Security watch

Nigerian security agencies though have been trying to strategize in order to beat down the spate of
dastardly strikes and their perpetrators, they must not lose sight of the fact, as checks in other countries
indicated, that there could be some bad eggs within their cadres capable of leaking secrets to the attackers.

There is therefore the need to sieve the chaff from the wheat and promote professionalism and practice
within the code of ethics of security organizations for a safer Nigeria.

Beaming the searchlight in all axes

In fact, all accusing fingers each time there is a dastardly attack point to the Boko Haram Islamic sect
based in the Northern part of the country that is campaigning for the implementation of a strict version of
Shariah law.
 Though the sect has claimed to be responsible for the assassinations and bombings including the June
car blast at the Nigeria Police headquarters which claimed two lives, the members have disclaimed some
of its purported spokespersons, which implicitly meant that there are other factions secretly unleashing
terror attacks while the Boko Haram gets the bashing.

Gen. Carter Ham, Commander of the United States military operations in Africa had hinted that Boko
Haram may be trying to link with two al-Qaida-linked groups in other African countries to mount joint
attacks in Nigeria.

Specifically, on 17 Aug 17 during a visit to Nigeria, Ham had told the Associated Press (AP) that
"multiple sources" indicate that Boko Haram made contacts with al Qa'eda in the Islamic Maghreb, which
operates in northwest Africa, and with al-Shabab in Somalia.

"I think it would be the most dangerous thing to happen not only to the Africans but to us as well," the
US general said.

The American commander’s disclosure therefore raises the need for leaders to fashion out a well
coordinated trans-national anti-terrorism campaign to safeguard lives and property in the Sub-Saharan
Africa as whatever negatively affects Nigeria would impact on the rest of the countries in the
geographical zone.

Thus, the convergence of the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] leaders and
other stakeholders in Ahuja recently to brainstorm on how the plaguing terrorism seizures could be
arrested is a step in the right direction to reassure foreign investors and hedge against massive capital
flight.

Forestalling further smear strikes

What can Nigeria do in the present circumstance to safeguard life and property? This has remained the
question on most lips. Simple: resolve to plug all loopholes. But again, could Vice President Namadi
Sambo, replicate the feat of the incumbent President Jonathan in the Niger Delta when he wore that
Number Two shoe?

Without prejudice, Sambo has the wherewithal to design a solid structure that would rally the support of
the Northern political elders, religious and youth leaders to dissuade unhealthy violent agitations, sweep
the states in that region of all undesirable elements - alien or indigenes even as the federal government
sieves mercenaries at the entry points.

Such feat will further raise the ovation for the Jonathan Sambo administration.

[Description of Source: Lagos National Daily in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Militant Group Reacts to Islamic Sect's Threat To Bomb Southwest Nigeria

AFP20110917598002 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 16 Sep 11

[Interview with Otunba Gani Adams, national coordinator of Odua People Congress (OPC) by Bimbo
Ogunnaike; place and date not given: "'South West is No-Go -Area for Boko Haram'"]

Otunba Gani Adams, is the National Coordinator of Odua People Congress (OPC). In this interview with
BIMBO OGUNNAIKE, Adams spoke at length on the Boko Haram insurgency, religious crisis, the
Sovereign National Conference (SNC), among other issues.

The Boko Haram sect said that they are going to bomb the South West, especially Lagos State. What is
your response to this?

I don't think Boko Haram has the gut to come and bomb Lagos State. We are using this opportunity to
appeal to them that they should not do it in their own interest. I don't know what the South West has done
to warrant that kind of threat. One, a Yoruba man is not the president of this country, is not the vice-
president, is not the Senate President, is not the Speaker or in any top position in this country. Why
should they because they are aggrieved with the government threaten to bomb Yoruba land? Our own
level of reasoning is not based on anarchy. So, in their own interest, they should not try it.

What if they try it?

The consequence will be great. It is not only the OPC as an organisation that will rise against them. The
entire Yoruba race will also rise against them. If they think very well, if they have a good strategy, will
they threaten people who are almost 70 to 80 million? So, why should you endanger the lives of your
people just because you want to register your intention by throwing grenades and bombs? It is not done
anywhere. If you want to do anything, you have to consider the interest of your people in terms of lives
and property. Go to Agege in Lagos, you will see almost a million Hausa people are living there. They
have a lot of people in Lagos and other states in the South West. So, why can you say you will come and
bomb here again when most of our people have been driven away from Maiduguri; they have been driven
away from Kano, Kaduna States. Even before Boko Haram insurgence, most of our people had been
driven away, their businesses had been ruined because of religious crisis in the North. Immediately they
start their religious crises, they will start targeting the investment of non- Hausa Fulani people. And
majority of the non-Hausa Fulani people are the Southerners, basically the Yoruba people. You have
driven away our people from your states. You have killed them. You have ruined their businesses and you
are coming to bomb our Lagos. That is a war against the Yoruba people. So, definitely, we will not accept
that. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Yoruba people to be watchful. They have to be security
conscious. Security is not meant for the security agencies alone. Every human being from the age of 18
upward should be security conscious. When you see strange people moving around your streets, you have
to report to appropriate quarters. You have to be vigilant too and watch your neighbourhood. This is very,
very important. It is unfortunate that we are witnessing bombing in Nigeria. Two or three years ago, it
was strange to our culture. It is only in the Middle East region that we see maiming, killings of people.
Bombing is now rampant in the country. This is not a Muslim nation. We run our country based on
secularism. We have Christians, we have Muslims, we have traditionalists, we have the Eckankar in
Nigeria. So, for you to now bring your agenda to over run different people with different beliefs, I don't
think it will work. It will be highly disastrous. If you are fighting a cause and you realised that people are
not in support of it, the best thing for you is to re-trace your steps. I am advising them in their own
interest that they should not try it in the South West.

Some people are of the view that what is happening now, especially with the bombings and killings in the
Northern part of the country, may lead to break up of Nigeria as predicted by United States of Nigeria few
years back. Do you see this coming pass?

Don't forget that the Americas predicted the breaking up of the Soviet Union. They predicted the
Czechoslov akia break up. They predicted the Sudan break up. So, I will not be surprised if what
Americans predicted about Nigeria comes to pass. The way we handle our polity is becoming more and
more fragile everyday to the extent that sectional interest is gaining momentum within the circle of
political players. Even Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who happened to preach Nigerianess is championing
the cause of the South West now. The same thing applies to General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and
General Muhammadu Buhari.
They are championing the cause of the North. The Niger Delta people are also championing their own
cause too. They have their own agenda. The Igbo too are calling for their own interest. So, either we like
it or not, Nigeria is moving towards aggressive sectional agenda. We have been telling them that we have
to appreciate our diversity. And if we want to appreciate our diversity, we must make sure we sustain our
diversity.

How do we sustain our diversity?

We have to restructure Nigeria. Assuming Nigeria had been restructured, the Boko Haram problem we
have today would not have happened. They will not be saying they want to cross their region to South
West region because the security of the South West region would have been put on red alert to defend the
territory. The police, the internal police and other internal security agencies will be ready to defend the
territory. Now, do we even know some of the police officers who belong to their own tribe and their
agents that will give them information on the best way to strike. But, if it is the Yoruba people that is
policing their territory, it will be very difficult for external aggressors to come and destroy Yorubaland.
Likewise the same thing applies to the Niger Delta and the Igbo nation. What is happening in Nigeria now
is a warning that anything can happen. Those who believe in the existence of Nigeria as a one indivisible
country are now having a rethink. The strike at the United Nation office in Nigeria and in other parts of
the country are enough for them to have a change of heart. They have lost interest in Nigeria becoming an
indivisible nation. How can you be talking of a unity of a country when you are not safe in where you are
doing your business or where you are staying. There was a day I was in Katsina State for a chieftaincy
ceremony two years ago. Do you know that they had to threaten the person who invited me to that state,
telling him that, "Why did you invite Gani Adams?" You can imagine. Tactically, that person just told
somebody to link up with me about the development. I left that place for a Yoruba community to hold a
meeting with them and settled some of the crises they had there. So, if I will be in Katsina and the
Northerners are saying why should Gani Adams come to Katsina and you have many Hausa people living
in my own community in Arigidi in Ondo State, living in different places in Yorubaland without saying
why are they there, is that fair to me as a Yorubaman in my own country? When I visited former
Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, they used it against him, lambasting him that "Why
did you bring Gani Adams to our state?" .You can imagine, are we in the same nation? And your people
are here in the South West enjoying our security, giving them leverage, protecting your business,
protecting your children and your lives. If you have any problem in Hausa community, they usually call
me to assist them. Even when they have problems with the Area boys, I am always there to assist them.
So, if I am not welcome in that part of the country, why should I have interest in one indivisible country.
But I believe that we must continue to call for peace. Those Boko Haram sect have little understanding.
We have to be friendly to each other; we have to believe that we belong to the same country irrespective
of any tribe or ethnic group we belong to. That was what sustained the unity of the United States of
America. That is what sustains the unity of United Kingdom which has three to four tribes. We have the
English, Wales, Scottish and Irish. Go to Britain, hardly will you know their differences. Even in their
parliament, they believe in one indivisible country called United Kingdom or Great Britain. The same
thing in America. In Canada, when a group was agitating for a break up, they went for referendum and at
the end of the day, those who believed in Canada as a one nation, as entity, won in the referendum. But,
what is our own problem? What is the problem we are having as a country? When Umaru Yar'Adua was
in power, nobody talked about Boko Haram. The thing we normally witnessed was the Kaduna and the
Jos riots. But immediately President Goodluck Jonathan became President of this country, we started
horrible bombings here and there. What we need to do now is to sit together and talk about the situation
for us to have a stable nation.
For the past few years now, Nigerians have been agitating for a Sovereign National Conference where
every ethnic groups that make up the country can sit together and discuss the unity of Nigeria. With what
is happening now, do you see this coming to fruition despite the fact that it has been rejected by
successive governments in the past?

The issue of SNC or whatever you call it cannot be a mirage. You don't achieve your cause the day you
started it. That is why we call it a struggle. That is why we call it a cause. It is a cause you have to fight
for, to champion and achieve. It is like a prayer. Even though you are praying to God, it is not the day you
pray to God concerning your requests that God will answer it. Even when God wants to answer your
prayer, He will do it gradually. I believe that the SNC agitation started from the South West here, by the
late Alao Aka- Bashorun in 1989. And from Alao Aka-Bashorun, people like us joined them in 1993. We
saw it that we have to sit down together and decide how we want to run this nation to be a united nation.
When the late Abiola won the election of 1993, he promised Nigerians that he will organise an SNC to
discuss about the future of Nigeria. He saw that there will be crisis in future. The crisis Abiola saw in then
is what we are witnessing now. A good president must have vision and when you have vision, you will
know what will happen in future. And a president that knows what will happen in future is a leader. Even
when he is no more a president, his advice can be useful. He can be more resourceful in different areas.

Unfortunately, we didn't allow the man to be the president. Many people believe that an SNC is the way
out of our problems in this country. The Niger Delta people are calling for resource control and SNC.
Now, Babangida is calling for true federalism. Can we achieve true federalism without a conference? So,
we can only achieve true federalism through a conference, either you call it SNC or National Conference.
So, I believe that the last bus stop, the hope of solving the problem of this country is by conference. I
don't know the name you want to call it because immediately you mention SNC, the people in power
think you want to take away the sovereignty from them. Nobody wants to take away the sovereignty from
them. Sovereignty belongs to the authority. When we get to this conference, there will be term of
reference that will not affect the sovereignty which is the instrument of power. So, nobody is thinking
along that line. Now, people are talking about constitutional amendment. Why are we talking about
constitutional amendment? Is it not because of the problems we have as a country? Those who are in the
State Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly are politicians to the core. I was surprised to read
an interview of a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Action Congress of
Nigeria that nobody should be calling for the SNC. I was surprised that the person is coming from the
ACN . I expected the leadership of the ACN to call that kind of a person to order because Nigerians are
watching them. Most of the founding fathers of the ACN are the people calling for th e SNC in the
persons of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande. It is unthinkable that somebody from the
party is against what the leaders of the party believe in and is criticising it now. He is somebody who just
got the mandate from the people three months ago. The party must take action by either giving him
warning or disciplining him because he is against the ideology of the party. If they have it at the back of
their minds that because they have won, the South West people are not watching their utterances, they are
making a mistake. The people of the South West are monitoring every statements they uttered from their
mouths. That you are in the National Assembly, does not mean that you are going to decide the fate of
this country alone. It is going to be a collective decision. That must be cleared. In the history of this
country, before independent, everything was through conference. The Richard Constitution was through
conference. The McPherson Constitution was through conference. The Republican Constitution was
through conference. The 1979 Constitution was through conference. The only constitution written by few
persons was of the last military occupation. So, it is unfortunate that a lawmaker will be saying that there
should be no SNC to decide the fate of this nation. When people get to power, they forget their roots.

Do you think President Jonathan is decisive enough on the Boko haram insurgence?

You have to pity the President on the issue. This man is trying his best and he has just got to power. I can
see that he is trying to put his house in order, just three months in power. Within now and the next six
months, he would have understood the people he is working with. He had just given people appointment
without knowing whether they should be trusted or not. He is looking at the security chiefs whether to
trust them with the security of the nation or not. So, it will take him time for study especially in a complex
nation like Nigeria that has a lot of problems, since the day we got our independence. If you don't forget,
Obasanjo had the same problem when he came to power in 1999. Before Obasanjo got his bearing , it was
around 2001. So, the same thing applies to Jonathan now in this dispensation.

Are you worried that the Yoruba have lost out in power hierarchy in the country?

Well, it is unfortunate. The most painful aspect of is that even our own people are playing with our
destinies. I don't know how the ACN and the Peoples Democratic Party in the National Assembly cannot
have one view to make their daughter the Speaker of the House of Representatives. They played politics
against the interest of the race. It is not good to play political interest against the collective interest of
your race. This is very very unfortunate. In the North, the PDP and party of Buhari, the Congress of
Progressive Change(CPC) don't see eye-to-eye but when they wanted to bring Tambuwal as a Speaker,
they were united and gave their support for him.

INEC announced the timetable for the governorship election in Kogi State but the PDP leadership has
continued to keep mute on whether there should be a fresh primary election in the state or not. As a
stakeholder, what is your view about this?

I think we are waiting for response from the national body of the party. You should know that even at
local governments, primaries are being conducted by the national body of the party from Abuja. I
remember vividly that I was appointed to conduct primaries in Taraba State. I believe it is not within the
powers of the state chapter of the party to unilaterally conduct governorship primaries. Though, officials
of the party in the state have made some statements, I believe they should know that it is not within their
jurisdiction to make such statements and they have no right to do the work of the national working
committee of the party. I am sure the national body of the party will come out. The body will conduct the
primaries at the appropriate time. This is because the previous PDP governorship primary election in the
state has been declared null and void by the court of law. That was why Governor Ibrahim Idris was
asked to proceed for another one year. If we accept that it was on a previous oath, it means that the
governorship primaries will be done again. This was also done in Anambra State when Obi came to
power. Kogi State will not be an exception.
But some politicians have said that there will be no fresh primaries as the one that produced Alhaji
Ibrahim Isah and Clarence Olafemi is still intact?

What I'm trying to say is that I am a law-abiding citizen. I have always called for the rule of law, not
asking me to go and rub minds with people who are adventurers, who express their own opinions of what
relevant law has stated.

After the first primaries in the state, the state Governor set up the Gen. David Jemibewon reconciliation
committee which recommended that the party needed a thorough reconciliation. Has the party done that
yet?

I don't think they would like to do anything. Based on the attitude of "winner takes all," they have not
been able to reconcile the aggrieved party members. The party leadership in Kogi State and the party still
have a long way to go. There are a lot of crises to solve. There are one thousand and one problems
confronting the state apart from the primaries. Look at Ajaokuta, the issue of deplorable condition of
federal roads in the state and so on and so forth. That was why General David Jemibewon recommended
that their must be a thorough reconciliation of the aggrieved party members

Last week Saturday, Kogi State clocked 20 years. What is your assessment of the state since creation?

I think it has to be relative in terms , because when we are discussing human affairs, there are certain
areas where Kogi has done well. There are other areas it could do better and there some areas it has
performed woefully. And on the aggregate, the existence of the state and the stability of the state,
although it has been threatened in certain parts, but over all, I think we are lucky we still have Kogi State.

What do you think are the challenges confronting the existence of the state?

We started the agitation for creation of Kogi State. I was in forefront. I was then the national publicity
committee of the Kogi State Movement and we did a lot of launching in Kaduna, major towns in Kogi
State and other states where there were Kogi indigenes. It was quite successful. That time, we were lucky
that Alhaji Adamu Attah, who was then the Governor of Kwara State was very understanding, very
cooperative and was willing to ensure that creation of Kogi was realilized. The Igala component, the
government in Benue was not positively keen, but because of their dislike for the Igala/Bassa elements in
their midst, they saw it as an opportunity to get rid of them. So, they did not push. They were not in
support and they were working hard as Adamu Attah and others who were working for the creation of
Kogi State. There were no such efforts as the others.
They were willing to let go. That was how the actualization of the creation Kogi State came to be. And
then, at that time, we thought Kogi was going to be the intellectual base of the country. Because when
you look at the educational development of the citizens and they were the ones who supplied manpower
in both Kwara, Benue and even in former Northern region. In other words, what is now known as Kogi
State today or Kabba province, contributed immensely to the manpower resources of Nigeria; to talk of
the Silas Daniyans, the Dr Mummuni Attahs; you talk of late Sunday Awoniyi and so on and so forth.
They all made their marks in the former Northern region even before the state was first created and when
we were in Kwara and part of us went to Benue. So, we expected that Kogi was going to be a coalition of
highly experienced, highly exposed, highly knowledgeable people who will put all thes e to the
advantage, to the disposal of the state so that the state can move forward. But I think this has not been
properly harnessed unfortunately. The first military Administration in Kogi State led ably by Danladi
Zakari did its very best, but the period he had to stay was very short. He was always struggling against the
time.

He himself had no base because he started completely from the scratch. His first government House was
then Retired Brigadier General Ogbeha's House. However, I must commend people like Tunde Ogbeha,
who had scarified and contributed for the take off of the state by donating his personal House in Lokoja
for the Governor to use as his base as well as his office. These were some of disadvantages that
confronted Col. Zakar when he came in. He was able to get people to rally round him.

He was able to make some modest achievements. Unfortunately, the first civilian government that came
in led by Prince Abubakar Audu refused to build on what Zakari had established. He decided to desecrate
everything as if he wanted Kogi to start with him. This is one of wrong steps that we have not recovered
from because this tradition of seeing the state as a continum and whoever comes, will take off from where
the last person has left; this relay spirit was destroyed by Audu. He threw out permanent secretaries that
were deployed to Kogi State. When you do away with the people like this, there is a certain knowledge to
go away with which but which you cannot get easy access to when the state was about to pickup.

This is because those who had the sample of what we have, you threw them out prematurely. It was very
confusing for the new people who came in. From there, the problem started, the take -off and handing
over was sudden. Though this was not the fault of Zakari but Audu. Audu is my very good friend, but I'm
being very objective and very frank and then he also did a lot of development except the faulty foundation
and these things could not stand a test of time before the military came on board again and truncated the
civilian administration. The military also were in hurry to do certain things without adequate planning.
For example, two years or five year plan to what people will be committed to. If you look at the state in
the holistic manner, Zakari's administration started with setting up of an Economic blue print for the state,
but the successive administrations did not know that something like that existed, as partisan politics came
in and tribal sentiments also. So, the initial euphoria of unity that we have got a state and we should all
work for it eroded away. Even those who worked tirelessly for the creation of Kogi were not remembered
in the scheme of things. Like one ALhaji Momoh Idu, whose house we were holding meeting in Lagos,
nobody ever thought to remember him. There was also Hajia Adiza who was bringing food to people
when they went for meeting. Also Shittu was not reckoned with not to talk of the late Kokori Abdul, who
also played active role in the creation of what is known as Kogi State and Idris Makoju also. Look at the
Secretary of Kogi State Movement, Kazir Bako, was a Permanent Secretary who took over from a
dynamic leader, Dr. Amodu Ali. So, these founding fathers were not remembered and the state is already
thrown into anarchy without any clear direction as to where Kogi is moving. You may be seeing sporadic
development, but there was no blue print as to what exactly to do for the state. Even the present
administration, for instance built houses at local government levels. Those houses are for whom? Is it for
the local government staff? Is it owner occupier? Or is it for Federal establishments, Road Safety, Civil
Defence or Immigration? There are one thousand and one uses these Houses could be used for, but they
lay idle. This kind of not having purposeful approach to development does not augur well for the state.

The issue of power rotation has continued to be a contentious issue even 20years after creation of the
state. What is the way forward out o f this sir?

Formally, the founding fathers took things for granted. That was why the issue was not given priority
from the beginning. We thought we should give people a sense of belonging because we all suffered the
stealing of love in the bigger North that we are being discriminated against. So, we thought what was
done to us must not be done to others. Unfortunately, this was threatened by the restiveness of some
political bigwigs from the Eastern flank and this is largely responsible for some of the problems in Kogi
State. In the beginning, they were divided into two when the agitation for Kogi State was on. One group
for Kogi State led by Col Ahmadu Ali, the other side favoured Okura State and they seemed not to have
died because they are still agitating for it. I think there was a dichotomy between the Attah leadership and
the Ankpas who felt that Attah is for Idah axis. These two issues has not allowed them to discover who
they are. I am very surprised that eminent personalities from the area have refused to call their people to
order to allow the state to make progress. Because sooner than later, posterity will judge every one of us
for the role we are playing. For instance, what is happening in Niger State, the situation there was even
worse than that of Kogi. There was a time the Nupe felt they have a majority in Niger State and were
prevented from governorship because the other people by then came together; they were more than the
Nupes and continued to marginalize the Nupes. So, they were only non -align because they were the
single largest ethnic group in Niger. But after some time, the foundation leaders agreed that let there be
zoning. Today, if the governor comes from one place, the minister and Secretary to the State Government
will come from other places. There is equitable distribution of political offices across the three zones. The
zoning system seemed to be working perfectly there, without much rancour. We have been so reluctant to
discuss the issue with the current governor because I have proposed to him personally and collectively. I
remember the Ebira Human Rights visited him in December 2003. We presented a charter to him and
there are of lot of things we suggested to him at that time.

He needs to rise above partisanship and call a meeting of political stakeholders across the parties. Ethnic
and religious divisions have to come and discuss the function of leadership in Kogi State. Also, the issue
came up two months before the last election where we discussed whether the state should support
Jonathan or not, but the State Chairman promised that before the election, something would be done. This
land of unfulfilled promises made the people to lose confidence and this is how it has been affecting the
state till date. And they have succeeded quite alright. The Igala is dividing the Ebira and Okun and
anytime they are about to unite, they will use some brigadier and leaders and destroy such unity. This can
only be done for a start time. If they do not allow peaceful change gradually, it will neither be good for
the state or them. By the time the Ebira, Okuns and Kotos and Bassa get themselves together to form a
coalition as one, the the Igala will find it difficult themselves as the only largest ethnic groups in state will
not be able to get the dividends of democracy. So, I think that there should be social justice and mutual
trust. I think these are areas we should start talking about because it not too late, especially with the
election of the governor coming up in December, 2011. This is the time for Governor Ibrahim Idris to call
the leaders for stakeholders meeting across ethnic groups, political parties and religious and agree on the
formula on how best to share political offices. Fortunately, we have three senatorial districts where the
power can be rotated. Also, within the senatorial districts, a lot must be done to ensure equitable
distribution of political offices. That is the semblance of the state. In the central, Ogori/Magongo are
being discriminated against by Eb i ras . All these must be taken care of. In the Eastern part, there is
discrimination against Bassa and this must be curtailed. Even in Kogi West, a lot must be done to take
minorities into limelight. I believe the democracy we practise also accommodate minorities.

There is the feeling that if the Okun and Ebira join hands together, it would have been easier to shift
power. Do you believe that?

Yes, that is why they are doing everything possible to frustrate unity and ensure perpetual division
between the duo and some people are being used. For instance, how do we suddenly get the position of
speaker in the House Assembly? Our people have been struggling for governorship and even if we did it
wrongly then, in which our houses were burnt, killed so many people and several left injured. But then,
we stated that the way they were going about it was wrong. And Governor Ibrahim Idris agreed with us.
And then, we said let Idris have the second term after which he will be part of us to agitate for power
rotation. But to our surprise, he reneged in all promises he made, only to ensure that another governorship
candidate emerged from Eastern flank. I want to appeal to Governor Idris to have the fear of God and
now have opportunities to right the wrong. Because if he refuses to do that, then, the consequences in the
future might not augur well for the state at large.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigeria Islamic Sect Seeks Compensation for Slain Chief's Kin in Return of Peace

AFP20110917598020 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 16 Sep 11

[Report by Gbenga Akingbule: "Boko Haram Leader's Family Seeks N100m Compensation"]
If the Federal Government accedes to a court order granting N100 million as compensation to the family
of the slain leader of the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, peace may
return to Nigeria.

This is one of the demands of the family and members of the group who have continued to unleash
havocs on Nigeria.

The Nigerian Compass on Saturday learnt that the compensation was one of the demands of the family
and the members of the group when former President Olusegun Obasanjo met with them on Thursday
afternoon.

The meeting was facilitated by a human rights organization. In attendance were some members of the
fundamentalist group.

On Thursday afternoon, the former President secretly flew into Maiduguri, Borno State capital, in a
military aircraft. He met with members of the slain Boko Haram leader.

In company of the former President was the facilitator of the peace talk, Comrade Shehu Musa, of the
Civil Liberties Organization (CLO).

They ensured that no security operative entered the venue.

Alhaji Fugu, the eldest son of the equally killed father-in-law of the group's later leader, Babakura, told
reporters yesterday: "This is the first time an eminent personality is visiting the family since our house
was demolished in 2009."

Fugu added: "Indeed we received President Obasanjo in our house yesterday (Thursday). His mission was
very clear. He said he came to condole with our family over what happened during the 2009 Boko Haram
insurgency, especially the extra-judicial killing of our father, and the wanton destruction of our family
house."

The spokesman of the family added: "He (Obasanjo) promised that he would convey our plight to Mr.
President within a week or two and thereafter will get back to us directly or through an emissary.
Although Obasanjo said that although he was not an official emissary of the Presidency, he would convey
their wishes to the Federal Government.
The family spokesman revealed they were informed of the meeting through the human rights
organisation.

On the outcome of their meeting with the former president, Babakura, whose younger sister is the widow
of the late Boko Haram leader, said: "We have told him our predicament, especially the destruction of our
family house, and also the need for the state government to abide by the court order which ruled that a
compensation of N100 million be paid for the extra-judicial killing of our father.

"We also requested the security agencies to stop harassing and intimidating our family members over
issues related to Boko Haram."

He revealed that the mother of the former Commissioner for Religious Affairs, who later became a top
member and financier of Boko Haram, Alhaji Buji Fai, was also at the meeting. She was said to have
asked the Federal Government to come to her aid in providing financial assistance to the children of her
late son.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigeria: Videos Showing Boko Haram Members Preparing for Suicide Attacks Emerge

AFP20110918532002 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0755 GMT 18 Sep 11

["Nigerian 'Bomber' Videos Emerge as Islamist Fears Mount" -- AFP headline]

LAGOS, Sept 18, 2011 (AFP) - Videos have emerged purporting to show members of a Nigerian Islamist
sect preparing for suicide attacks, including a young man said to be responsible for last month's bombing
of UN headquarters.

The two videos obtained by AFP are said to be from the sect known as Boko Haram and come as concern
intensifies over whether it has formed links with outside groups such as Al-Qaeda's north African branch.

The possibility of such links has led to deep concern among Western nations and mounting pressure on
the government in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and its largest oil producer.

General Carter Ham, the head of the US military's Africa Command, said Wednesday that Al-Qaeda's
north African branch, Shebab militants in Somalia and Boko Haram have expressed a will to "more
closely collaborate and synchronise their efforts".

Boko Haram's attacks have grown increasingly sophisticated, and it had not been known to target
international institutions before the United Nations bombing in Abuja.

A man who identified himself as a spokesman for Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing on
the day of the August 26 attack.

The two videos said to be from the group include speeches totaling some 25 minutes from the alleged UN
bomber.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the videos, but they seem to offer a window into a form of
Islamist extremism in Nigeria that authorities have so far shown little capability of addressing.

They bear hallmarks of past Boko Haram clips and feature speeches by a man identified as Abubakar
Shekau, its suspected leader who went into hiding following a 2009 uprising by the group put down by a
military assault.

While the sect was long considered a domestic group targeting symbols of Nigerian authority, the videos
also show an international emphasis.

They are mostly in the Hausa language widely spoken in the country's mainly Muslim north, but also
partly in Arabic.
The voice said to be Shekau's calls the UN headquarters a "forum of all the global evil," while also
offering praise for Osama bin Laden.

The video focusing on the UN bombing, which killed at least 23 people and was among the deadliest
targeting the world body, is more than an hour and 15 minutes long.

A soft-spoken, 27-year-old smiling man said to be the UN bomber pleads with his family to understand
his actions, and a vague warning is sent out to "Obama and other infidels."

During much of his time on the video, he holds an AK-47 while two others lean against the wall. Two gas
cannisters are on the floor at his feet.

He is rail-thin and wears a striped, polo-style shirt, a turban and what looks to be a suicide vest.

In a phone interview with AFP, a man who claimed to be a spokesman for the sect identified the alleged
bomber as Mohammed Abul Barra, a married auto repair worker with a son from the northeastern city of
Maiduguri, where the group has carried out most of its attacks.

His name was picked in a draw because a number of others also wanted to carry out the mission,
according to the spokesman, who identified himself as Abu Qaqa.

Boko Haram's supposed foreign links as well as the origin of its backing is controversial in Nigeria -- as is
whether it was truly behind the UN attack.

Kyari Mohammed, a Nigerian professor who has been closely studying the sect, said some members may
have received training from other extremist groups, but he doubted more substantial cooperation had
occurred.

"I personally don't believe there is any serious link," he said.

Nigeria's secret police claimed in the days after the UN attack that an Al-Qaeda-linked suspect who
recently returned from Somalia named Mamman Nur masterminded the blast. He was declared wanted.
Nur was believed to be third-in-command of Boko Haram when it launched the 2009 uprising.

In one of the videos, reference is also made to an attempted attack on police headquarters in Maiduguri on
August 15 and an image is shown of the man said to be the bomber, who was killed by authorities before
the explosives detonated.

Photos of the man killed by police taken by journalists bear a resemblance to the person in the video.

The second video shows the "martyr" for an attack at police headquarters in Abuja in June, when at least
two people were killed.

The videos refer to the group by a name roughly translated as "People Committed to the Prophet's
Teachings for Propagation and Jihad," as a previous video has done.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Muslim Clerics Deny WikiLeaks Reports on Involvement With Islamic Sect

AFP20110918565004 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 17 Sep 11

[Report by Saxone Akhaine: "Cleric Denies Links To Sect"]

Islamic Clerics and management of the Yahaya Road mosque in Kaduna have denied reports by
Wikileaks and a northern-based media of their romance with Boko Haram.

Chairman of the mosque, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim, said it was unfortunate that the Wikileaks and newspaper
portrayed the mosque as a facilitator in organizing and hypnotizing students by teaching them Islamic
extremism.

"Ordinarily, this ought not to bother us in view of the source of the information, the United States, leader
of the Western Nations against Islam and Muslims, but for the records, and to re-assure parents and the
government of Kaduna State that the report is nothing but a tissue of lies," they said.

Their statement explained that it was curious that a mosque situated in the Government Reservation Area
(GRA) in the neighborhood of serving and retired top public officers, both Muslims and non-Muslims
would undertake unlawful activities unnoticed except to the eyes and ears of the American Embassy.

"We started our religious programmes here as far back as 1978 when approval to us was granted by the
state government through the JNI. The school was opened in November 1979 with 25 pupils," they said.

"An Islamic association known as 'Association for the propagation of Islam' that was founded in 1979,
designed the curriculum and syllabus to be taught in the school."

The said the mosque had a pilot programme where children were taught how to memorize the Holy
Qur'an and later, approval was granted the mosque by the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, to be
conducting both Jumu'at and Eid prayers.

The mosque's management, however, urged Nigerians to visit the place of worship and see things for
themselves.

"Rather than being cowed by the malicious American report, it had strengthened their faith and
commitment to observe and propagate all the tenets of Islam within the Shari'ah and laws of our country,"
they said.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]
Nigeria: Islamic Sect Reportedly Releases 2 Videos on Alleged UN Office Bomber

AFP20110920565001 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 18 Sep 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Releases Two Videos of UN House Bombers"]

He is soft-spoken and believed to have been a mechanic with a family in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Mohammed Abul Barra, now late was most happy at what he considered as a rare privilege of carrying
out his assignment.

When a question was put on who would offer to carry out an attack on the United Nations building in
Abuja by the leadership of the dreaded Boko Haram, many members of the sect volunteered.

Only one person was needed and a lot had to be cast. It fell on Barra. He was elated at the "good fortune"
of being the one to carry out the deadly assignment, which he knew would consume him first, and blow
him into smithreens. Yet, he gave no thought for his wife and son.

He most enthusiastically agreed to a video recording of what would be one of his last days on earth.

That tape was one of two videos that Agence France Presse (AFP) yesterday claimed that it had received.

The videos are of people who believe that they have nothing to live for, but everything to die for.
The hunt for the brains behind the group continued yesterday as the State Security Services (SSS) placed
a N25m ransom on the suspected mastermind of the UN house bombing.

A statement in Abuja, signed by Ms Marilyn Ogar, Assistant Director, Public Relations of the SSS, said
the suspect remained on the wanted list.

"A reward of N25 million is being offered for information that could lead directly to the apprehension or
conviction of Mamman Nur," the statement read, adding: "If you have any information concerning this
person, please contact the nearest police station, military formation or any other security agencies."

In the tape, Barra who eventually carried out the August 26 of the UN building in Abuja, says that his
action is a warning to United States President Barack Obama "and other infidels."

The two videos obtained by AFP are said to be from the Boko Haram and come as concern intensifies
over whether the sect has formed links with outside groups such as Al-Qaeda's north African branch. The
possibility of such links has led to deep concern among Western nations and mounting pressure on the
Federal Government.

Barely 48 hours after hosting former President Olusegun Obasanjo to a peace meeting, a leader of the sect
Babakura Alhaji Fugu was killed on Saturday by a lone gunman. The sect immediately claimed
responsibility for the incident.

The two videos said to be from the group include speeches totaling some 25 minutes from the alleged UN
bomber.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the videos, but they seem to offer a window into the
Islamist terrorism that the group has adopted.

The videos, according to AFP, bear hallmarks of past Boko Haram clips and feature speeches by a man
identified as Abubakar Shekau, its suspected leader who went into hiding following a 2009 uprising by
the group put down by a military assault.

The videos also show an international emphasis.

The speeches are mostly in the Hausa language which widely spoken in the North. They also spoke partly
in Arabic.

The voice said to be Shekau's calls the UN headquarters a "forum of all the global evil," while also
offering praise for Osama bin Laden.

The video focusing on the UN bombing, which killed at least 23 people and was among the deadliest
targeting the world body, is more than an hour and 15 minutes long.

During much of his time on the video, Barra holds an AK-47 while two others lean against the wall.

Two gas canisters are on the floor at his feet.

He is rail-thin and wears a striped, polo-style shirt, a turban and what looks to be a suicide vest.

In a phone interview with AFP, a man who claimed to be a spokesman for the sect identified Barra as a
married auto repair worker with a son from Maiduguri, where the group has carried out most of its
attacks.

His name was picked in a draw because a number of others also wanted to carry out the mission,
according to the spokesman, who identified himself as Abu Q aqa.

Boko Haram's supposed foreign links as well as the origin of its backing is controversial in Nigeria - as is
whether it was truly behind the UN attack.

The State Security Service (SSS) claimed in the days after the UN attack that an Al-Qaeda-linked suspect
who recently returned from Somalia named Mamman Nur masterminded the blast. He was declared
wanted.

Nur was believed to be third-in-command of Boko Haram when it launched the 2009 uprising.
In one of the videos, reference is also made to an attempted attack on police headquarters in Maiduguri on
August 15 and an image is shown of the man said to be the bomber, who was killed by authorities before
the explosives detonated.

Photos of the man killed by police taken by journalists bear a resemblance to the person in the video.

The second video shows the "martyr" for an attack at police headquarters in Abuja in June, when at least
two people were killed.

The videos refer to the group by a name roughly translated as "People Committed to the Prophet's
Teachings for Propagation and Jihad," as a previous video has done.

In the video, Shekau is flanked by his body guards, as he reels out his group's position on the
government's olive branch.

It says the government has not fulfilled the terms of reconciliation as enunciated in the holy Qur'an.

Shekau was also reported by an online medium, News diary, to have announced in a video clip on Friday
that the government must not expect his group to lay down its arms when its members are being hunted
down and killed and ordinary people are being traumatised in Maiduguri city.

If true, it would be the first time that the group, whose official name is Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunnah
Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, is releasing a video showing its leader.

The man identified in the five-minute video clip as Imam Abu Muhammad Abubakar Bin Muhammad
Shekau was actually named by Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf as his deputy when the latter was
being interrogated by soldiers after his capture in 2009. Yusuf was executed at the Borno State police
headquarters allegedly by his police handlers, who are now being prosecuted at a court in Abuja for the
killing.

The prosecution is regarded as part of the steps being taken by the Jonathan administration to mollify the
militant group and end the bloodshed.
But Shekau claimed in the new video that whereas Islam has enjoined reconciliation between two warring
parties, it has specified the conditions that must be met before such reconciliation can take place, pointing
out that a non-Islamic system cannot impose conditions for reconciliation on Muslims.

Quoting from the Qur'an, he explained: "We know that in the Qur'an there are verses where it is said: 'If
you are offered reconciliation, you should accept it,' but there are verses in the Qur'an where it is said: 'If
you are offered reconciliation, don't accept it.'

"We know where those verses apply... We know them all; we have read them in the Qur'an. We are fully
aware that in Islam there is a provision for reconciliation, but there are conditions for reconciliation. Only
a Muslim knows when to reconcile with a non-Muslim; it is not the non-Muslim who should impose
conditions for reconciliation on the Muslim."

The Boko Haram leader pointed out that while the government was talking about reconciliation, it is at
the same time persecuting the members of his group and other Muslims.

He claimed, for example, that the government has not done anything to punish those who allegedly
massacred Muslims in Zonkwa, Kaduna State, during the sectarian violence following the general
elections in April, and has been secretly torturing and killing Boko Haram members in the prisons and
burying them in mass graves.

"You must not deceive us," he told the government in the controversial video clip.

"We know all the nonsense going on in this country. They claim that they want to reconcile with us, yet
they poison our brothers to death and then bury the m in a mass grave," he added. "Right now we know
what they are doing to our brothers in the prisons. We are aware of how they are persecuting the ordinary
people in the city.

"They just want to satisfy themselves and persuade the people into believing that an offer of
reconciliation was given to us and we rejected it."

The militant leader also decried the way government officials appear divided over the government's peace
moves in the Boko Haram matter, saying, "Look at the way some of them talk, 'Let us find these people
and reconcile with them,' but others from amongst them say, 'Why bother about the wishes of these
people? The best way to deal with these people, who are just making empty threats, is to just finish them
off.'
"An instance is that the Police Chief has mouthed what he wanted to say and God has shown him that He
is the Most Powerful. And another one of them, the Army Chief, has said what he wanted to say.

"Now, you can see that even among themselves they don't know exactly what to do about us. So, why
should we be deceived by their utterances and abandon what God has commanded us to do?

"There is no talk of us abandoning what God says, much less be deceived by their utterances; even they
are not really united on what to do with us."

Shekau also denied that his group's attack on the military barracks in Bauchi in which five people were
killed was carried out in order to kill civilians, saying as a matter of principle the Boko Haram does not
target civilians.

He said: "We do not kill those who drink alcohol. It is mere propaganda that we attacked a beer parlour.
We had heard that it was purely soldiers who gathered there to drink, and we confirmed it, that was why
we went there and killed them.

"It's mere propaganda that we attacked a beer joint so that people would accuse us of killing innocent
people, so that it would be said that Allah forbids the killing of consumers of alcohol, that there is a way
to deal with such people."

According to Shekau, the Boko Haram will continue fighting this war because it understood that it is the
best way to earn its dignity and serve the interest of Islam.

"We understood from the Book sent to the Prophet Muhammad that there is no better way to earn our
dignity than through the path God tells us to follow, that is holy war," he remarked, adding, "Nobody is
persecuting us like this government which regards itself as secular, and is concerned only with nation-
building. Nobody is persecuting our religion and our Prophet like it. They use their soldiers, their police,
their system of unbelief and their collaborators."

However, he assured the ordinary people that his group will not harm them, arguing that their target is the
government, its security forces and anybody the group regards as a collaborator.

He said: "We are just fighting those who are fighting us, soldiers and police and the rest; and anybody,
even if he is a learned Muslim teacher, if we confirm that he exposes us to the government, his children
will become orphans and his wife will become a widow, God's willing. That is our way."
In the video clip, Shekau is shown sitting on the floor with a bodyguard each on his sides. All three of
them are dressed in fighting gear and each holds an AK-47 rifle. While Shekau's face was not covered, his
bodyguards covered theirs with handkerchiefs.

Shekau's commentary, rendered in Hausa, is interspersed with readings from the Qur'an and video and
still picture images of the war between the Boko Haram and the Nigerian security forces.

In another video, dated Monday July 25, 200 by the news medium, Shekau is said to have declared that
his group would never give up its cause.

That video, according to it, is 15 minutes, 39 seconds long. It opens with a recitation from the holy
Qur'an, the part of which is rendered in Arabic on the screen. Then there is a static logo of the group.
Recitation fades out. On the screen, an inscription comes up in Hausa, which translates as, " Department
of Public Awareness, Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad presents to you ... 'A Lecture On
Reconciliation'." As recitation from the Qur'an resumes, video clips of the 2009 violence in Maiduguri are
shown: Buji Foi, the former commissioner of religious affairs in Borno State under the last
administration, is seen being executed at the state police headquarters; and dead bodies of Boko Haram
members.

Recitation fades out as video of three men sitting on the floor, against a wall, fades in. It is daytime. A
lizard occasionally passes on the wall, just above the men. Apparently, the scene is in a house near a
street in a major town because sounds of traffic and voices can be heard in the background. The three men
are sitting lotus-style, each nursing an AK-47 rifle. They are dressed in fighting gear, which includes
military tunics. All three are young, aged probably between 30 and 45. They remind one of the
Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan or Palestine.

While the two men on either side of the one in the middle have their faces covered with handkerchiefs,
the middle one has not hidden his identity. He is the leader of the group. He holds a sheaf of papers in his
left hand, from which he reads a statement. His two bodyguards remain motionless throughout the
rendition, conveying a menacing presence. Occasionally, the leader looks up from his papers to expatiate
on his address. He speaks in Hausa.

The leader is identified with an inscription in the video as "Imam Abu Muhammad Abubakar Bin
Muhammad Shekau, Imamu Jama'atu Ahlissunati Lidda'awati wal-Jihad."

It gives a translation of the statement and comments made by Shekau in the video thus: "My brethren in
the Religion, peace be unto you. I remind you of what the almighty Allah reminded His most beloved
messenger after His other prophets, that is the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). (Quotes from the Qur'an in
Arabic and translates: "Remember, when you are harmed and are being persecuted from all quarters, and
you don't know where to go, and then Allah brings you together, strengthens you, gives you wealth - a
legalised wealth, not for anything but in order for you to show gratitude with your your utterances, and
with your heart, and your actions. That is how the sons of Adam should show gratitude to their Creator.)

"O my brethren! Know that Allah has enjoined us in His Book (Quotes from the Qur'an in Arabic and
translates): O you who believe! You should fear God the way you should. It means you should obey God
the way He commands you to do. (Quotes again). It means you should not allow yourselves to leave this
world unless you are true Muslims. May we finish in faith!

"The Muslims and the rest of the world should know that we are in this task only in order to defend our
religion, the grace of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who is insulted in some places and is disgraced in
other places; I swear, we rose in arms in order to defend our religion, the dignity of our Prophet and the
lives and property of fellow Muslims who are always being killed and or persecuted by unbelievers. They
are being persecuted and killed and at the end they are blamed and disgraced. I swear, that is what we are
fighting against.

"We understood from the Book sent to the Prophet Muhammad that there is no better way to earn our
dignity than through the path God tells us to follow, that is holy war.

"Nobody is persecuting us like this government which regards itself as secular, and is concerned only
with nation-building. Nobody is persecuting our religion and our Prophet like it. They use their soldiers,
their police, their system of unbelief and their collaborators.

"Look at the way some of them talk, 'Let us find these people and reconcile with them,' but others from
amongst them say, 'Why bother about the wishes of these people? The best way to deal with these people,
who are just making empty threats, it to just finish them off.' An instance is that the Police Chief has
mouthed what he wanted to say and God has shown him that He is the Most Powerful. (Clips of Inspector
of Police Hafiz Ringim and the bombing of Police Headquarters) And another one of them, the Army
Chief, has said what he wanted to say. (Clip of soldiers on patrol) Now, you can see that even among
themselves they don't know exactly what to do about us. (Clip of President Jonathan) So, why should we
be deceived by their utterances and abandon what God has commanded us to do? There is no talk of us
abandoning what God says, much less be deceived by their utterances; even they are not really united on
what to do with us.

"O people! You should know that we do not have any ulterior motive in this job apart from serving Islam.
(Quotes in Arabic) And don't think that because we say "Islam," it simply means prayers, paying the poor
due (Zakkat), Hajj or fasting; no, these are rituals that are integral parts of Islam. But you should know
that Jihad, the holy war, as well as migration from where you are being persecuted to where you can
worship God easily is also Islam; to give your wealth out in the cause of God is also Islam; indeed, every
aspect of co-habitation such as trading, farming, mode of dressing, and even friendship are Islam. All our
lives are governed by Islam. The foundation of Islam is Tauheed; whoever lacks Tauheed is like saying
he is not with you. That is why Allah (SWT) says if you are going to be practising religion, then, all of
you must join Islam. (Quotes from the Qur'an in Arabic, translates thus: "O you who believe! You must
join the religion in whole") That's what Allah almighty says. But He also warns that you must not follow
the Satan's path, the Satan's system. That is why we say that we will not follow a government of unbelief.
We will only follow a government of Allah as governed by the Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him).

"We did not come out (to fight) but for the sake of Allah. By God, we shall not do anything but what
Allah has commanded us to do. And we did not leave our hometowns and our relatives, I swear, but for
the sake of Allah.

"What we ultimately aspire for is to be matyred, I swear, on this path of God. That is our ultimate wish.
But you (security forces) are afraid to die! So, you should not go and be saying that we are simply scaring
people stiff, that we don't have the courage to fight you face-to-face. Well, you are not the one who
should teach us how to fight. This our way of fighting which you are seeing, we read it in our Book, we
did not copy your own style. We don't discriminate or try to brag, we are just looking at Allah's religion.
We are proud of our Creator. And any day we feel that we should go out and face you in the fight, you
will see. Even a ram could be stronger than us in a different circumstance, but when we decided to fight
in the cause of God, we see you as mere ants. I swear, even your American helpers are not enough! God
is with us; therefore, you who calls yourself Chief of Army Staff, (sniggers) go and do your worst! There
is nothing you can do against Allah.

"The only thing I will tell you is that you should repent. Return to the Way of God and practise Islam.
Don't think you are somebody. I swear, there is nothing people will give you, and at the end you would be
the loser; you would be killed for nothing and at the end you would be cast into Hellfire. That is for sure.

"And, you people should know that we do not kill those who drink alcohol. It is mere propaganda that we
attacked a beer parlour. We had heard that it was purely soldiers who gathered there to drink, and we
confirmed it, that was why we went there and killed them. (Clips of soldiers and policemen) It's mere
propaganda that we attacked a beer joint so that people would accuse us of killing innocent people, so that
it would be said that Allah forbids the killing of consumers of alcohol, that there is a way to deal with
such people. No, we don't kill drinkers of alcohol; neither do we steal people's property. That is not our
job.

Also, we don't kill a Muslim; if you hear that we have killed a Muslim, we must have found out that he
was collaborating with the unbelievers. That is what we do; that is what the religion of Allah provides for
us. It is not somebody's order we are following.

"We know that in the Qur'an there are verses where it is said: 'If you are offered reconciliation, you
should accept it,' but there are verses in the Qur'an where it is said: 'If you are offered reconciliation, don't
accept it.' We know where those verses apply. (Quotes from the Qur'an in Arabic) We know them all; we
have read them in the Qur'an. We are fully aware that in Islam there is a provision for reconciliation, but
there are conditions for reconciliation. Only a Muslim knows when to reconcile with a non-Muslim; it is
not the non-Muslim who should impose conditions for reconciliation on the Muslim. And we are
Muslims.

"As far as the ordinary people are concerned, by God, we want happy increase for them. We are being
persecuted. Even recently, in a village in Kaduna State (Zonkwa) Muslims were pushed into a dug-out
hole and petrol was poured on them before they were set ablaze. What did your government do about
this? (Clips of burnt bodies). You must not deceive us. You should not deceive us! We know all the
nonsense going on in this country. They claim that they want to reconcile with us, yet they poison our
brothers to death and then bury them in a mass grave. Right now we know what they are doing to our
brothers in the prisons. We are aware of how they are persecuting the ordinary people in the city. They
just want to satisfy themselves and persuade the people into believing that an offer of reconciliation was
given to us and we rejected it. You shouldn't do that.

"All we want from you is that you should repent and return to the Way of God. I swear, if not... Look, do
not think that it is us you are fighting. You had thought that by killing Mohammed Yusuf the problem had
passed, but what happens now? You are still searching for a Mohammed Yusuf! (Clip of Mohammed
Yusuf's blood-drenched dead body) Even me who is speaking, maybe I am better off. All we want is to
die and go to paradise. We do not care about this world. We pray to Allah to protect us.

"That is the message I wanted to communicate to all people, so that ordinary people could have a rest of
mind, to know that wherever we are seen we are not at fault over this issue. We are just fighting those
who are fighting us, soldiers and police and the rest; and anybody, even if he is a learned Muslim teacher,
if we confirm that he exposes us to the government, his children will become orphans and his wife will
become a widow, in God's name. That is our way. But the ordinary people in town, we seek your
forgiveness; I swear we will not harm you. We are not really seeking your permission, but God;s support.
That's all I wanted to say."

The video showing Shekau fades out just as recitation from the Qur'an in Arabic resumes. The group's
logo is shown and, under it in Hausa appears the inscription, "We seek prayers from you, our brethren,
with the hope that God will grant us the Islamic realm and help us all".

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]
CAR: Chadian Rebel Allegedly Declined Al-Qaida Offer of Huge Money to Join Them

AFP20110915678001 Bangui Centrafrique-presse Online in French 14 Sep 11

[Exclusive Interview with Chadian dissident General Baba Laddé, head of the Popular Front for Renewal
(RPF) by Omar Kateb Yacine culled from www.lejour.info; 14 Sep: "Dialogue is the only way out of the
impasse in Guinea and its socio-political contradictions"]

Le Jour - General Abdel Kader whose war name is Baba Laddé is a dissident of the Chadian regime.
Arrested in 1998 for an alleged coup d'état against Deby, who himself came to power through armed
rebellion in 1990, General Baba Laddé, head of the Popular Front for Renewal (RPF) is now hiding in the
Central African forest, a country bordering Chad. This Fulani pedigree is a trained gendarme and his
war-name Baba Laddé comes from the Fulani language. According to him it means ''the king of the forest'
or ''Father of the bush, meaning the lion, normally called king of the bush. Academically, he holds an "A"
level certificate in (Administrative Technology) from the Lycée Technique Commercial of Ndjamena. For
years, he fought against the totalitarian regime of Idriss Déby to, according to him, establish a democratic
government that promotes good governance, equitable sharing of national resources, justice and peace
among all components of Chad. But his ideal goes beyond the borders of his native Chad. The head of the
FPR of Chad deplores the fate suffered by the Fulani in African states like the Central African Republic,
Mauritania, Guinea-Conakry, etc ... For more information on the intentions of General Baba Laddé, we
approached him and he gladly granted us this exclusive interview. ...

Editor's note: Information not yet confirmed report that the Armed Forces of Central African Republic
[FACA] attacked the Baba Laddé's camp near Kaga-Bandoro on Wednesday.

[Le Jour] Since when are you in rebellion against the government in N'Djamena and why?

[General Baba Laddé] [GBL} We openly went into rebellion since 1998 because of many reasons related
to social injustice suffered by the people in general and particularly by the Fulani. As you know, since
Idriss Deby's taking of power in 1990, the members of his clan commit abuses and violations of human
rights against Chadians with impunity. Never are they reprimanded neither by the judiciary nor by the
political and administrative authorities of our country. Faced with this intolerable situation, only a popular
uprising is imperative! For this reason we have opted for armed struggle against this unpopular regime
just like other Chadian groups who have gone underground.

[Le Jour] Since when does your movement FPR exist?

[GBL} The Popular Front for Renewal (FPR) has been existence since 1998.

[Le Jour] What is wrong with President Deby?

[GBL} Like all Chadians, we blame Idriss Deby for his clannish management of power, for his lack of
democratic values, bad governance and socio-economic policy in Chad. He is also the perpetrator and
responsible for unacceptable violations of human rights. Several opponents, journalists and human rights
activists have been cruelly killed by bullets of his presidential guard, composed mainly of his Zaghawa
ethnic group.

[Le Jour] Why are you in Central African Republic and not in Chad?

[GBL} Because of strategic reasons; for security reasons we decline to disclose things to the public.

[Le Jour] Your men are accused of terrorizing civilians. What do you say?

[GBL} Remember Hissein Habré was called a thief of camels and a bandit. Mandela, Arafat, and those
who defended a just cause are always described as terrorists and guerrillas, even with pejorative words.

So back to your question, we say that such information is completely false and unfounded because the
FPR is a people's movement which defends them against arbitrariness and impunity from which they
suffer. Accusing us of abuses is trying to tarnish our image of honest men who are campaigning for
social justice and respect for human dignity in both Chad and beyond our borders. Actually that's what
worries our political opponents. The FPR is against these false and crude allegations perpetrated by
N'Djamena and Bangui.

[Le Jour] What seems to oppose you to the regime of President Bozize?

[GBL} You will agree with us that President Bozize is a product of Idriss Deby, who catapulted him to
power in 2003 as head of CAR by ousting the late President Ange Felix Patasse, though democratically
elected by the Central African people. He is indebted to Idriss Deby against whose autocratic and
illegitimate power the FPR is fighting.

[Le Jour] You were kidnapped in 2009 and delivered to N'Djamena. How did you manage to escape?

[GBL} Yes! I was kidnapped by the Central Intelligence Service when I was negotiating in Bangui. They
delivered me to Ndjamena without the knowledge of the International and the Central African human
rights organizations which nonetheless were sponsoring the peace talks. You are aware that I am a well
trained soldier. You can imagine the rest!

[Le Jour] What are the real demands of the FPR?

[GBL} The FPR is demanding more democracy, transparency in the management of natural resources,
totally squandered by Idriss Deby and his family, more justice and respect the for basic rights of the
individual, changeover in power through democratic and legal means. The FPR is also demanding a
limitation of the presidential mandate because, you know, Idriss Deby blew up the lock limiting the
presidential mandate so as to remain indefinitely at the head of the country against the people's will. In
this sense, the FPR said NO!

[Le Jour] How many men do you have at your disposal?

[GBL} For strategic reasons, the FPR regrets to give you the strength of our men. However, we have the
military resources for our political ambitions in Chad.

[Le Jour] Who funds the RPF?

[GBL} Your question is curious! But we are sorry we can't give you an answer so as to protect our
national and international partners who support our cause and struggle.

[Le Jour] Recently in a statement, you said that the FPR that you lead is defending the cause of the
Fulani in the world. Why?

[GBL} It is a general observation that the Fulani are the most marginalized and vulnerable people in
Africa. So it is legitimate we plead their cause at all levels so as to end the politics of exclusion, denial,
stateless people of which the Fulani is a victim of regimes in Africa (Guinea, Mauritania, Chad, Central
African ... ... etc.

[Le Jour] You say that you will help the Fulani who are victims in some African countries within a
humanitarian framework. What does it mean?

[GBL} Note that the Fulani are usually victims of spoliation of their cattle by armed men and other thugs.
This is happening in Chad and all over Africa. We denounce these acts that are real barriers to community
integration and peace among the various social components of our countries. That is why the FPR is
talking about a humanitarian framework to help restore the legitimate rights of all these victims.

[Le Jour] With such a position for your community, don't you fear "retaliation" from other leaders of
countries harboring members of this community?

[GBL} Retaliation exists already. We have raised this issue above. So we have to resolve the situation by
challenging those who abuse their power by oppressing and suppressing other people. In our minds and
reasoning this position is logical for social justice.

[Le Jour] In the same statement you admitted being contacted by representatives of Al Qaeda in Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM), the Boko Haram of Nigeria, the Islamic Front of Chad of Ahmat Tidjani Ismael
Bichara, the Somali Shebab and Al Qaeda in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP) which proposed to you
millions of Euros to make an Islamist rebellion in the Central African Republic and Chad, and you
refused. Can you be more explicit?

[GBL} Admittedly, our cause differs widely from theirs. The FPR does not make any confusion in its
political demands. Therefore, we declined these proposals. The FPR is firmly against these extremist
factions so as to stay in a conventional and defensible struggle. We take this opportunity to condemn all
these terrorist groups.

[Le Jour] You opt for a tolerant Islam. Why, does your movement the FPR refers to religion for the
conquest of power?

[GBL} Of course, Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace. The FPR is not taking advantage of a
religious leverage as main argument for the conquest of political power because we work for the dialogue
of religion and culture among people.
 [Le Jour] Still referring to the same statement, you mentioned that you are in a cease-fire with Déby's
forces, but it would be broken if the forces of Al-Qadhafi from Libya penetrated into Chad. Now that the
Guide is defeated, does it mean that the cease-fire is broken with the government of Chad?

[GBL} In any case with Idriss Deby, one must expect anything so we are not going to be less careful
because he is capable of anything at any time. He is known for his many violations of the peace
agreement with his opponents both civilian and military. Certainly, we are sincere, but we are careful with
this man!

[Le Jour] What do you think of the Habré case that seems to drag on?

[GBL} None of the African leaders wants such a thing because all trails behind them criminal cases. For
them it is not necessary to establish a court for former African heads of state. This is the crux of the
matter concerning the blocking of the Habré trial.

[Le Jour] To make peace with N'Djamena, what do you want from President Déby?

[GBL} He better quits power! This would open the door to political stability, the return of all political and
politico-military Chadian exiles for national reconciliation and ultimately a lasting peace.

[Le Jour] If an agreement is signed between the FPR and the regime in power, are you ready to go home
and change your movement into a political party to gain power through the ballot box?

[GBL} Absolutely, it is because in Chad, the political environment is unhealthy. This explains our
commitment to military action. But if we get to clean up the Chadian political landscape, the FPR could
be transformed into a political party for the democratic conquest of power.

[Le Jour] What else can you tell us?

[GBL} The FPR is concerned about the current socio-political situation in Guinea. Information we have
received in the press here in the bush, draw our attention to the real risks of collapse of this country.
Therefore, the FPR is making an urgent appeal to President Alpha Condé to get rid of the old demons of
division and hatred of others for peace and political stability in Guinea-Conakry, a brother country.
Dialogue is the only way out of the impasse of Guinea and its socio-political contradictions.
[Le Jour] Thank you, General Baba Laddé for granting us this interview.

[GBL} It is I who must thank you for your interest in our struggle.

[Description of Source: Paris Centrafrique-presse Online in French -- Blog operated by Paris-based

Prosper Ndouba, ex-President Patasse's former communication advisor; URL: http://centrafrique-
presse.over-blog.com/]

Intelligence Report Reveals Islamic Sect's Plot To Conduct Attacks in Nigeria

AFP20110926581001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 26 Sep 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Plots Suicide Bombing Oct 1 -Intelligence Report; CBN, NNPC
Towers, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Federal Secretariat Prime Targets; As FG Puts Security Agencies on
Red Alert; May Cancel Independence Anniversary Parade"]

THE terrorist Islamic group, Boko Haram, appears not willing to let go of its sinister plot to wreak a
monumental havoc on the nation to avenge the military onslaught against the group, with intelligence
report showing that the group has earmarked between Monday, September 26 and Saturday, October 1,
2011, when Nigeria would be celebrating its 51st independence, as the period to hit some of their selected
targets.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that security agencies have unmasked plots by the group to use two brand of
vehicles, a Nissan Sunny salon car with registration Abuja-CL 735 ABJ and an Audi new model with
Kaduna number plate, as the cars with which to possibly carry out their next suicide attacks on 'very
important government targets' in the Federal Capital Territory.

Among these targets, the source said, are the NNPC Towers in Abuja; Central Bank of Nigeria
headquarters; the Federal Ministry of Finance; Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Army barracks and mammy
markets in Abuja; Federal Secretariat Complex; the National Assembly; Supreme Court; Office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Nigeria Police headquarters.

It was reliably gathered by security agencies that their target at the Police Headquarters is yet to be
accomplished, even after the earlier attack in June this year.

Subsequently, Nigerian Tribune gathered that a new security alert has gone out to all military, police and
other security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities and not switch off for any moment as the sect
appeared determined to carry out their destardly act.

Asked if states earmarked for attack by the group particularly those in the Niger Delta should downgrade
the threat by the sect, now that it had narrowed its plots to attacking government assets in Abuja, the
security source said.

"It will be a big mistake as the group was very good at elements of surprise. When you begin to think all
is well, that their minds were focused on a different target, that is when they strike at you."

Also, Nigerian Tribune gathered that an army general has been assigned following controversies over the
release of one of the Boko Haram's leader, Ali Tishau, who was purportedly released to one of the
military security agencies by the police from where he gained his freedom.

The source said that the government had taken a serious view of the action of the said general, as his
organisation is one of those government was looking up to seriously to help it in tackling the Boko Haram
menace in the country.

Meanwhile, worried by the security implications of the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram, the Federal
Government may have cancelled the Independence Day parade scheduled to be hold at the Eagle Square,
Abuja, on October 1.
An impeccable presidency source, who revealed this to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, at the weekend,
said the action became necessary, following what was described as "bad security reports" from the
nation's security agencies.

It will be recalled that during last year's celebration, there were two multiple bomb blasts in Abuja,
shortly after the visiting foreign heads of governments and President Goodluck Jonathan arrived at the
Eagle Square.

Already, a visit to the Eagle Square, venue of the celebration, showed that there was no sign of
preparations at all, while the usual rehearsals by military and paramilitary organisations, which normally
take place at the square, were absent.

Nigerian Tribune's source revealed that the security agencies reportedly advised the Federal Government
to allow this year's celebrations to be on a low key and to further save Nigeria from international
embarrassment that any blast on the Independence Day would cause the nation, should the Boko Haram
sect carried out threats to cause further mayhem during the celebration.

It was gathered that the security agencies further based their reports on the recent incessant bombings in
the country, especially the Police Force headquarters and the Un ited Nations (UN) Abuja office, which
had further proved that the Boko Haram sect was unrepentant and which would make Nigeria look unsafe
to the international community.

According to the source, "no world leader will like to come to Nigeria at this particular time for any
Independence Day celebration, because of the recent security challenges in the country. Up till now, we
have no clue about those behind these incessant bombings and how to stop them. We don't want to take
chances, they did it last year and they will want to repeat same, going by their daring posture in recent
times."

The source could, however, not confirm whether similar parades at the state and local government levels
would be affected by the cancellation at the national level.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
Nigeria: Anxiety Trails Boko Haram's Alleged Infiltration of Security Agencies

AFP20110926686005 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 26 Sep 11 p 6

[Report by Andy Osakwe: "Boko Haram Members Infiltrate Nation's Security Network"]

There are fears in government circles that some members of the Boko Haram sect may have infiltrated
the security agencies in the country. This is coming as suspicions have arisen that some former
intelligence chiefs and officers may be behind the sect.

Investigations showed that there is concern in government and among some security agencies over Boko
Haram’s intelligence network which has made it difficult to unmask or crack the sect.

According to findings, some security reports have confirmed that Boko Haram members appear to be a
step ahead of security agencies fuelling speculations of infiltration of security agencies.

It was learnt that Borno State has remained under intermittent siege of Boko Haram due to the alleged
infiltration.

It was gathered that the government is worried that Boko Haram continued to launch attacks on their
targets despite the presence of the Joint Task Force [JTF] in Borno. A top source, who spoke in
confidence, said: "We are suspecting infiltration of security agencies by Boko Haram members. They
seem to have more intelligence information on our security agencies than we had thought. And the
manner in which they beat security agencies to attack point to some moles within the security network.
Some security operatives have not risen above ethnic and religious persuasions. We think such operatives
might be leaking information." The source added, "If there are no moles, why will a security chief release
a Boko Haram leader in detention? This infiltration is being addressed. I won’t say more than this."
Responding to a question, the source continued: "We are working on a theory that some former
intelligence chiefs and officers might have been providing back-up support for Boko Haram. The guerrilla
type of operation and use of sophisticated arms have buttressed this bend of probe into Boko Haram.".

The source however promised that the government would eventually smash Boko Haram, no matter what
it takes. He said: "The Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Olusheyi Petinrin and other security chiefs are
already reshaping intelligence units in most of the services. The JTF in Borno is also being strengthened.
"With enhanced intelligence system, Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past," he assured.

Meanwhile the chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu yesterday
challenged leaders of the region to stand up and be counted in the battle against the menace of Boko
Haram.

In a down to earth speech he delivered at a meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held in
Kaduna, he berated leaders of the region for dragging their feet on the threat that Boko Haram has
become to the region and the country in general.

"We cannot drag our feet any longer. We can't continue to double-speak in our handling of the issues,
saying one thing in the open and acting differently in private. We must categorically say no to the
recurring wave of bombing, terrorism and crime in our communities." Aliyu said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad who also spoke at the meeting condemned the spate of
violence that across the region has led to the death of many.

Dr. Aliyu said that the North could not afford to fall into another crisis before taking necessary measures
to safeguard the integrity and future of the region.

The North, the governor stated, must collectively and categorically say no to the recurring wave of
bombings, terrorism and crime in the region.

According to him, the North must go beyond current efforts to address the underlying causes of these
violence and take practical steps to "cure the disease and to move forward," adding that "to secure our
future and forestall violence, crisis and conflicts, we must create the space and opportunities for people to
realize their full potentials and aspirations".
Dr. Aliyu noted that Nigerians must decide whether they "are serious about lasting peace or merely
paying lip service to it while some of us continue to remain in our comfort zones as our society is
overtaken by violence, crime and extremism.

"There is no doubt that as traditional and political leaders, we have a great opportunity to make the much
needed difference. But we must remember that opportunity come with responsibility. We really need to
properly define lasting peace – could it be merely bringing about an end to violence and conflicts in our
communities and the nation or doing more?"

The governor added: "we have a responsibility to act decisively to conquer poverty, illiteracy, ignorance,
diseases and extremism of all forms before we can genuinely hope to achieve desirable lasting peace and
stability.

"We must categorically say no to the recurring wave of bombing, terrorism and crime in our
communities. But our responsibility does not end there. We need to go beyond that to address the
underlying causes of these symptoms, to take practical steps to cure the diseases and to move forward. To
secure our future and forestall violence, crisis and conflicts, we must create the space and opportunities
for people to realize their potentials and aspirations.

"We need to do a lot at different levels to change the perception of the North as the bastion of violence,
poverty and religious extremism. As traditional rulers, you can do a lot to assist the development process
in the society by involving yourselves in matters that affect the socio-economic well being of the people".

According to him, "as elites we have to take full responsibility for what is happening in the nation. We
need to unite to protect the interest of those not so privileged, rather than remain fragmented in pursuit of
narrow selfish interests, otherwise we will lose all.

"We must have the character to call a spade a spade, to condemn the unfortunate incidents on the Plateau,
in Borno and Bauchi States as well as other parts of the Northern states and the nation in general.

"We must be prepared to pay any price to achieve this goal because we cannot expect any tangible
development and economic growth as a nation in the present atmosphere that we have found ourselves.

"We should, therefore, be concerned about the rising incidence of religious ignorance and extremism in
our communities, we should take deliberate steps to neutralize any suspicious religious groups with traits
of intolerance and extremism."
He contended that "as prominent leaders, we should be decisive and courageous in tackling our socio-
political problems as soon as they arise, to forestall their escalation and degeneration beyond control."

In his address, the Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad lamented the lives that have been lost to series of violence in
the north, pointing out that the nation’s politics and political processes should never be allowed to
succumb to unfortunate outcome as witnessed during the last election.

The Sultan noted that "at this stage of our national development, we must be able to evolve institutions
that should bring harmony and understanding among our people and to build consensus on those
fundamental issues that affect our collective existence".

He noted that the sustenance of peace and harmony within the respective communities depends upon the
ability and the willingness of elected leaders to discharge effectively their responsibilities to those who
elected them, adding that poverty has become a constant companion to a significant percentage of the
population.

He noted that "I believe the time has come for us all to renew our determination as a people, as a region
and as a nation, to resolve these crises. We must work together to ensure that peace, security and religious
harmony return to every nook and corner of Northern Nigeria

"The rising spectre of youth unemployment is a stark reality that we cannot run away from… we need to
address these issues seriously and concertedly at all levels of governance and we should do so with all the
urgency that it deserves.

"We must say the truth and stand by it at all times. As religious and traditional rulers, this is the basis of
our moral authority and the essence of our leadership. We must remain politically non-partisan, regardless
of the enormity of the pressure for us to act otherwise".

The Kaduna State Governor, Ibrahim Yakowa who was the host, noted that the meeting provided the
opportunity for the Northern traditional rulers to review issues affecting the North and the country,
particularly on matters of peace, security, stability and socio-economic progress and development.

"I salute your tireless determination and efforts in collaborating with one another toward finding a lasting
solution to the frequent ethno-religious and political disturbances, as well as general insecurity in our
region and the nation in general. We must never give up until we restore our region to the status of its
glorious past where we had unity in diversity and focused plans for meaningful development," he said.
In a related development, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps
[FRSC], Osita Chidoka, has blamed the series of bombing by Boko-Haram and the ethno-religious crises
in the country on poverty, unplanned population and absence of social safety net. He said these are the
real challenges facing security in Nigeria.

The FRSC chief, in a presentation to participants of Course 33 at the National Institute for Policy and
Strategic Studies [NIPSS], Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, said the resolution of the crisis depends on the
transformation of the people.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Nseobong Akpabio, said Chidoka delivered a paper entitled:
Perspective on the Management of Ethno-Religious Pluralism in Nigeria.

Chidoka said the non-resolution of the crises have made the people to resort to the primordial sentiments
of ethnicity and religion to locate their consciousness.

Stressing that ethnicity and religion in their true meanings should not be agents of violence and distrust,
the FRSC Corps Marshal said it is their negative manipulations that the elite use to achieve their parochial
socio-political ends when they lose out politically and economically.

Chidoka said: "Religion, in its true sense, provides the necessary basis to support human journey on earth
and has potential to become the proverbial philosophical stone. The transformative capacity of religion is
widely acknowledged.

"In an ideal world, religion ought not to breed conflicts; rather, it should provide the compass to navigate
the complexities of life. Islamic intellectuals led the world in the development of the Arabic numerals in
the foundation of modern Mathematics, and it was a Christian cleric, Nicklaus Copernicus, that proved
that the world is not the centre of the universe."

NIPSS director-general, Prof Tijani Muhammad-Bande said: "We have seen from what is happening at
FRSC, under the current leadership, that it enjoys enormous goodwill of Nigerians. It is, however, not
surprising because the corps represents the true vision of a new Nigeria."

The deployment of military in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and against the Boko Haram sect in Borno
State may not offer a lasting solution to both problems, the President of Nigerian Institute of Management
[NIM], Dr. Sally Adukwu-Bolujoko, has said.
She said the military and political committees set up by successive governments would only scratch the
surface of the problems.

Mrs. Adukwu-Bolujoko addressed reporters in Abuja at the weekend in commemoration of this year’s
annual National Management Conference/50th anniversary celebrations.

The NIM president noted that the government needs to tackle the social factors that lead to the defiance
and sectional unrest in the country.

She said: "We need to be proactive to begin to nip in the bud social factors that expose us to development
of defiant problems. We will do that through education. Education is a proactive tool; it is a tool for social
reengineering. We need to empower people to think rightly on their own. If we leave a people without
good education they will often resort to negative activities. Any bored mind will invite evil, proactive
mind will invite good values."

"I believe our sociologists, our criminologists, our anthropologists, our historians should be brought into
the problems in Jos and they will through research and enquiry solve that problems by giving solutions
that will go into the tenets of that problem. Political committees and the military will only scratch the
symptoms and the manifestation but researched investigation will lead us to actions that will go to the
root of the problems; the genesis of the problems.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]
Nigeria: Defense Officer Says Alleged Islamic Sect Leader Queried Before Release

AFP20110929581014 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 2300 GMT 28 Sep 11

[Report by Misbahu Bashir: "Boko Haram: Defence Explains Controversy Over Tishaku"]

Self acclaimed leader of Boko Haram sect Ali Tishaku was transferred to an interrogation centre for
questioning before he was released, the joint security agencies information managers said yesterday.

The police said they released Tishaku to one of the security agencies for questioning based on request
before he was released. The police said they were not consulted before the suspect was freed. Tishaku
was interviewed by a media organization shortly after his release where he claimed to have given vital
information to some security agencies of some attacks but they ignored.

The Director of Information and Public Relations of the Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Yusuf Anas
said at a press conference organized by joint committee of information managers in Abuja that the suspect
was transferred to a central interrogation agency from the police and freed based on court order.

He said it was untrue that the Defence Intelligence Agency received and released the suspect as reported
by some media organization. He said the suspect went through a period of detention and his utterances
were meant to vent his anger.

The Director of Defence Information Colonel Mohammed Yerima said the release of the suspect was
compelled by the court. He waved the purported copy of the court order for some journalists to see.

Anas said all security agencies are working together and there was never any disagreement between them.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Islamic Sect Releases Leaflets Seeking Volunteers To Carry Out Blasts in Nigeria

AFP20110930598001 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 29 Sep 11

[Report by Joe Ogbodu and Sola Adeyemo: "Boko Haram Offers Bomber N10m Each"]

Hours after rejecting a peace package from the Federal Government, the leadership of the radical Islamic
sect, Boko Haram, is intensifying its campaign to make the country ungovernable through bombings. A
day to the country's 51st independence anniversary, it has offered to give each volunteer N10 million but
with a condition: the bombing must be successful.

Expectedly, the suicide bomber will die during the attack but members of his family, who he had earlier
given their names to the leadership before the attack, would enjoy the largesse.

They would be paid through a popular bank (name withheld) and so far, 38 fundamentalists have
volunteered to carry out various attacks.

Leaflets entitled "Top secret for committed Muslim brothers and sisters" containing the N10 million offer
were widely circulated in Warri, Delta State yesterday, causing panic.

Some of the leaflets were also circulated in Anambra and Rivers states.

They were signed by a top Islamic activist.

It was also gathered that the ground plot to carry out a jihad had been planned since February.

A cleric, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, declared that Christians in the oil-rich city are living
in fear and praying for the plans to be averted.

He said that materials for the bombing would pass through some neighbouring countries to Kaduna,
Kano, Bauchi and Plateau to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He declared that 650 fundamentalists are still undergoing training in Eritrea and Somalia on the use of
explosives while another set of 850 have purportedly returned from Yemen and Somalia.

The leaflet reads: "We are fighting a jihad, a religious war of protecting Islam. It is our belief that before
the end of this year 2011, we shall conquer Abuja, and the other Northern and Middle Belt States of
Nigeria which we shall Islamise".

From Abuja, the volunteers would move to other states where some of them have been sent to study the
Christendom and strategise on how to infiltrate the Niger Delta region.

The development is already causing tension among some churches in the South-East and South-South
because the threat contained in the leaflet revealed that leaders of targetted churches have blasphemed
Allah.

The churches listed to be bombed are 10. A parish of one of them was attacked recently in Abuja.

Also, about nine clergymen are listed as targets.

The leaflet hinted that the churches would be destroyed by the suicide bombers on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, has expressed
regrets that the spate of bombings and attacks on some key locations across the country by Boko Haram
has eaten very deep into the resources and funds of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS, who said that the Nigerian Army had committed so much resources into curtailing the
menace of the religious fundamentalists, however, charged the finance sector of the Army to judiciously
utilise the available resources to be able to meet its obligations to the government and Nigerians.

Ihejirika made this disclosure yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while declaring open the
Nigerian Army Finance Corps Biennial Training Conference, 2011 held at the 2 Division Officers' Mess,
Agodi, Ibadan.

He was represented by Major-General Bala Usara, Chief of Army Administration, while the Minister of
State, Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, was ably represented by the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr
Mamman Idris.

Also in attendance to elucidate on the annual lecture entitled: "Effective Utilisation of Fund for Meeting
Contemporary Challenges by the Nigerian Army" was the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major-
General Abdullahi Muraina and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr
Moses Adeyemo.

In his address, the COAS said: "You are aware of the increasing wave of socio-political and ethno-
religious crises threatening the nation's security lately. This has assumed a higher dimens ion, witnessing
spates of bombings and attacks on key points, vulnerable points and other strategic areas of interest to the
country. This has left serious demands on Nigerian Army resources.

"We also know that funding is fundamental to containing these security challenges", advising, therefore,
that "success calls for prudent and efficient management and application of available funds.

Expressing the hope that the Army would effectively manage its available resources, the COAS said, "this
will enable the Army to meet contemporary challenges".

In the same vein, Ngama acknowledged the importance of the Finance Corps of the Nigerian Army as a
major instrument of national security/defence policy, noting: "The Corps must, therefore, proffer useful
financial strategies, techniques and methods of optimising the use of funds allocated to the Nigerian
Army".

The governor noted that the issue of managing resources cut across the country, while calling for
transparency, accountability, consistency and honesty among all stakeholders for Nigeria to be counted
among the best in the world.
He said: "Financial management is very essential to the grassroots we are governing over. Anywhere
people collect salaries, prudent management of resources and funds is necessary," Adeyemo stressed.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Nigerian Radical Sect Offers USD63,000 for 'Successful' Suicide Bombings

FEA20110930022560 - OSC Feature - Nigerian Compass Online 2300 GMT 29 Sep 11

[Report by Joe Ogbodu and Sola Adeyemo: "Boko Haram Offers Bomber N10m Each"]

Hours after rejecting a peace package from the Federal Government, the leadership of the radical Islamic
sect, Boko Haram, is intensifying its campaign to make the country ungovernable through bombings. A
day to the country's 51st independence anniversary, it has offered to give each volunteer N10 million but
with a condition: the bombing must be successful.

Expectedly, the suicide bomber will die during the attack but members of his family, who he had earlier
given their names to the leadership before the attack, would enjoy the largesse.

They would be paid through a popular bank (name withheld) and so far, 38 fundamentalists have
volunteered to carry out various attacks.

Leaflets entitled "Top secret for committed Muslim brothers and sisters" containing the N10 million offer
were widely circulated in Warri, Delta State yesterday, causing panic.

Some of the leaflets were also circulated in Anambra and Rivers states.
They were signed by a top Islamic activist.

It was also gathered that the ground plot to carry out a jihad had been planned since February.

A cleric, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, declared that Christians in the oil-rich city are living
in fear and praying for the plans to be averted.

He said that materials for the bombing would pass through some neighbouring countries to Kaduna,
Kano, Bauchi and Plateau to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He declared that 650 fundamentalists are still undergoing training in Eritrea and Somalia on the use of
explosives while another set of 850 have purportedly returned from Yemen and Somalia.

The leaflet reads: "We are fighting a jihad, a religious war of protecting Islam. It is our belief that before
the end of this year 2011, we shall conquer Abuja, and the other Northern and Middle Belt States of
Nigeria which we shall Islamise".

From Abuja, the volunteers would move to other states where some of them have been sent to study the
Christendom and strategise on how to infiltrate the Niger Delta region.

The development is already causing tension among some churches in the South-East and South-South
because the threat contained in the leaflet revealed that leaders of targetted churches have blasphemed
Allah.

The churches listed to be bombed are 10. A parish of one of them was attacked recently in Abuja.

Also, about nine clergymen are listed as targets.

The leaflet hinted that the churches would be destroyed by the suicide bombers on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, has expressed
regrets that the spate of bombings and attacks on some key locations across the country by Boko Haram
has eaten very deep into the resources and funds of the Nigerian Army.

The COAS, who said that the Nigerian Army had committed so much resources into curtailing the
menace of the religious fundamentalists, however, charged the finance sector of the Army to judiciously
utilise the available resources to be able to meet its obligations to the government and Nigerians.
Ihejirika made this disclosure yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while declaring open the
Nigerian Army Finance Corps Biennial Training Conference, 2011 held at the 2 Division Officers' Mess,
Agodi, Ibadan.

He was represented by Major-General Bala Usara, Chief of Army Administration, while the Minister of
State, Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, was ably represented by the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr
Mamman Idris.

Also in attendance to elucidate on the annual lecture entitled: "Effective Utilisation of Fund for Meeting
Contemporary Challenges by the Nigerian Army" was the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major-
General Abdullahi Muraina and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr
Moses Adeyemo.

In his address, the COAS said: "You are aware of the increasing wave of socio-political and ethno-
religious crises threatening the nation's security lately. This has assumed a higher dimens ion, witnessing
spates of bombings and attacks on key points, vulnerable points and other strategic areas of interest to the
country. This has left serious demands on Nigerian Army resources.

"We also know that funding is fundamental to containing these security challenges", advising, therefore,
that "success calls for prudent and efficient management and application of available funds.

Expressing the hope that the Army would effectively manage its available resources, the COAS said, "this
will enable the Army to meet contemporary challenges".

In the same vein, Ngama acknowledged the importance of the Finance Corps of the Nigerian Army as a
major instrument of national security/defence policy, noting: "The Corps must, therefore, proffer useful
financial strategies, techniques and methods of optimising the use of funds allocated to the Nigerian
Army".

The governor noted that the issue of managing resources cut across the country, while calling for
transparency, accountability, consistency and honesty among all stakeholders for Nigeria to be counted
among the best in the world.

He said: "Financial management is very essential to the grassroots we are governing over. Anywhere
people collect salaries, prudent management of resources and funds is necessary," Adeyemo stressed.
[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]

Army Reportedly Foils Suspected Islamic Sect Members' Attempt To Enter Nigeria

AFP20111001598006 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 01 Oct 11

[Report by Chris Agbambu: "Soldiers Foil Boko Haram's Fresh Bid To Bomb Abuja"]

Security operatives have foiled an attempt by about 920 suspected members of Boko Haram to infiltrate
the federal capital, Abuja ostensibly to carry out the earlier threat by the group to bomb the city during
today's 51st Independence Anniversary celebration.

Saturday Tribune gathered that the operatives rounded them up, as they were trying to sneak into the city
through different routes between the FCT and neighbouring Niger and Adamawa states.

The operation was reportedly carried out by the operatives of Military Intelligence and Brigade of
Guards, with the suspects comprising mostly Nigerians, Sudanese and Chadians.

It is recalled that the nation was thrown into mourning on October 1, 2010 following the bombing of the
Eagle Square, the venue of Nigeria's golden jubilee celebrations.

It was gathered that the foreigners were obviously on a mischief mission, as they could not explain to
security agencies what they were coming into Abuja to do.
The sources said that several arms and ammunition, including AK 47 rifles were recovered from the
suspects who had been grilled towards providing some useful information that could assist security
operatives while the suspects have been interrogated and relevant information collected from them which
led the security agencies into unmasking those behind recent bombings in Abuja and some other parts of
the country.

According to the sources, the operatives are working round the clock to arrest more suspects in Suleija in
Niger State and in Nasarawa State, said to be the suspected hideouts of a few Boko Haram members in
hiding.

Investigations revealed that most of the suspects arrested had been distributed into various cells of the
security agencies where vital information are being collated as the government has not taken chances to
ensure that the sect did not make good its threat on October 1.

The source said, most of the suspects would be repatriated to their home countries after interrogation for
prosecution while those who are Nigerians will face justice in the country.

Towards this end, following the arrest of the aliens, the Federal Government has reportedly directed the
Nigerian Immigration Service to be fully on the alert as most of the suspects would be deported this
weekend. Also, all the security agencies in the FCT have to carry out 24 hour security checks because of
the separate threats by Boko Haram and MEND on key installations in Abuja.

Security from the boundary of Kogi State and FCT has been stationed, while the operatives searched
vehicle booths and engines thoroughly.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Northern Group Commends Jonathan for Setting up Panels on Jos Crises
AFP20111001598007 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 30 Sep 11

[Report by Saxone Akhaine: "ACF Lauds Jonathan's Handling of Jos Crisis, Others"]

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan in setting up the
panels on ethno-religious crises in Jos and the security challenges posed by Boko Haram in order to
unmask the papetrators.

Members of the group gave the commendation when they met in Kaduna yesterday, and discussed how
the Forum would parley with all stakeholders in the north with a view of providing solutions on the
problems facing the north and Nigeria in general.

In a statement issued by the Arewa elders, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani said: "the
Forum welcomed the spirited efforts by Mr. President in setting up the panels on ethno-religious crises in
Jos and its environs and security challenges in the North-East geopolitical zones".

"The meeting, therefore, urged the government to go further and take all the necessary actions on the
submitted reports expeditiously, lest Nigerians lose trust and confidence on panels and commissions set
up by the government in future".

The ACF also considered the abysmal levels of enrollment of children in both primary and secondary
schools across the Northern states amid billions of naira lying idle with the UBE Commission, saying that
"as a hedge against such disheartening trends, the meeting appealed to Northern governors to make haste
and provide their counter-part funds, which are conditions the governors must fulfill in order to access
what are due and payable to their respective states from the UBE Commission".

"This is very significant, considering the funds can go a long way in improving the volume and quality of
education across the Northern parts of the country" the group said.

Sani explained that ACF had its third Joint Meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive
Council for this year and concluded it yesterday, noting that "the meeting was well attended and ably
chaired by retired Lt-General Jeremiah Useni who was supported by other leaders of the Forum".

According to him, the Forum noted the spate of ethno-religious crises and the novel incidences of bomb
blasts, as well as the problems of almajirai across the North, considered the upsurge in armed robberies
and menace of area boys in the South-West; pondered over the upward spiral in the inhuman practice of
kidnapping and breeding of infants for sale in the South-East; and the militant activism in the South-
South; as well as considered their dire consequences on national security and socio-economic
development of the country.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigeria: Militant Group Calls On Government To Engage Islamic Sect in Dialogue

AFP20111004565002 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0414 GMT 03 Oct 11

[Report by Bashiru Abdullahi: "Boko Haram: OPC Calls For Dialogue"]

The Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) has called on the Federal Government to engage members of the
Boko Haram sect in a genuine dialogue. OPC National Coordinator Gani Adams, who addressed
newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said negotiation with the sect would help minimize the anxiety
caused by recent bombings in the country.

Adams, who stressed that the use of military might would not help solve the nation's security challenges,
said, "My opinion is that it is normal for the Federal Government to look for a way of reconciling with the
Boko Haram sect. There is no amount of military might that can stop a group that is ready to die for its
cause. America has the best of equipment as far as security is concerned. They monitor the activities of
al-Qaida, but they (al-Qaida) are difficult to stop. I believe the government should engage them in a
dialogue.

Adam lamented that President Goodluck Jonathan's administration had marginalized the South-west,
saying that "We have lost the positions of the Chief Justice of the Federation and the Head of Service to
the north again. Jonathan is the president, the senate president is from the north; the vice president is also
from the north".
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Reportedly Kill 3 Traders in Borno State

AFP20111004565025 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 04 Oct 11

[Report by James Bwala: "Boko Haram: Sect Adamant on Sharia; Restates Conditions for Dialogue; As
Gunmen Kill 3 in Borno"]

The Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, on Sunday, called for the immediate release of its members in
detention as a condition for talks with the government.

Abu Qaqa, the spokesman for the sect, said, "Our position remains the establishment of sharia law in all
Muslim states in Nigeria.

"But as a temporary measure for peace, we will accept to talk with government only when all our
members in captivity all over the states are released," Qaqa said in a statement.

He added that the sect had the records of all its members arrested either by the police, the State Security
Service (SSS) or other security agencies.
Qaqa pointed out that the sect did not have any other motive than the entrenchment of Islamic law in
Nigeria.

He faulted the claims by the Gaji Galtimari-led Federal Government committee on security challenges in
the North-East on dialogue with the sect.

"We only heard the story in the media; nobody contacted us throughout the sitting of the committee.

"So, it is wrong for them to recommend dialogue with us, when they did not make any effort to meet with
us.

"The idea of appointing the Sultan of Sokoto as a mediator between us and the government is also not
acceptable to us, because the Sultan is not the authentic Muslim leader in Nigeria," Qaqa said.

Meanwhile, commercial activities were brought to a halt on Monday morning when gunmen suspected to
be members of the Boko Haram sect struck and killed three local traders at Baga International Fish
Market in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Also, another international market for timber very close to the fish market has since been closed for fear
of possible attack by the dreaded sect.

The killers were said to have walked into the market where Chadians, Nigeriens and Cameroonians
mostly converge to buy dried fish before killing two local tea sellers, a few hours after they killed a patent
medicine seller, bringing the number of the casualties to three.

Sporadic gunshots thereafter rent the air, leaving many, who were scampering for safety, injured and
some residents abandoning their houses for fear of being hit by stray bullets.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Hassan Mohammed, who spoke to journalists
by phone, said he was not aware of the incident but acknowledged that "something happened on Baga
road area this morning."

Mohammed, in his telephone interview, said: "I have sent my men to Baga road area where we learnt that
something happened. I cannot tell authoritatively whether or not there was an attack but we shall surely
arrest whatever situation we find there."
But angry traders, who spoke to journalists a few hours after the incidents, lamented their alleged ordeal
at the hands of the JTF, saying that something urgent needed to be done to ensure the security of life and
property rather than for the JTF to be shooting randomly in the direction of innocent civilians.

According to Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim, a fish seller, "we are in a serious dilemma here. Some gunmen
came in from outside to kill our people everyday, but instead of the JTF going after them, they are busy
chasing us out of the market and forcing us to leave our shops unattended."

As it stands, both the state government and the citizens may suffer a great deal, following the closure of
the two international markets, especially if adequate security is not quickly provided on Baga road that
has in recent times become a death trap.

In another development, the Federal Government has asked all agencies in the country to beef up security
around public facilities and media houses.

The directive, it was gathered, stemmed from the new approach being adopted by the government to
tackle security challenges facing the country.

Such public facilities to be guarded are federal and state secretariat complexes, Government Houses,
NNPC depots, schools, airports, hospitals and others, to curb the level of insecurity in the nation.

It was reliably learnt, on Monday, that greater emphasis was asked to be put on undercover security
activities in these areas for maximum result.

In Oyo State, for example, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed its men in
flash spots in the state, as directed by the Commandant General, Dr Ade Abolurin.

The directive was contained in a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State
command, Segun Oluwole, which urged the civil defence corps "to support the security agencies in their
areas by reporting any suspicious movement around the public or private infrastructure in the state to
forestall the breakdown of law and order.
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Fundamentalist Group Disowns Sultan as Northern Leader

AFP20111006686004 Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English 05 Oct 11 p 10

[Unattributed report: "Akhwat Akwop Disowns Sultan as Northern Leader "]

A religious fundamental group, known as Akhwat Akwop, says it does not recognize the Sultan of Sokoto
or any other Islamic traditional ruler in the north just as the group condemned in totality the recent
northern traditional rulers meeting held in Kaduna.

In an electronic mail posted on the internet yesterday, the radical religious group which claims to have its
base in the southern part of Kaduna State resolved that for the desired peace and harmony to be achieved
in the north, the Hausa/Fulani must stop encroaching, stealing or laying claims to land which by any
stretch of the imagination does not belong to them.

Akhwat Akwop, which is a rival religious fundamental group to Boko Haram, further called on all
indigenous communities in northern Nigeria to immediately caution Hausa-Fulani on their lands to order.
"The Hausa/Fulani must respect the norms, cultures, values and traditions of their host communities."

Akhwat Akwop alleged that the Hausa/Fulani onslaught is aimed at Islamizing Christians in the north and
Nigeria as whole and seizing, stealing and acquiring ancestral lands of indigenous communities in the
north".
It also alleged that the Hausa/Fulani Muslims are trying to destabilize the government of President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in other to seize back political power by all means and at all costs. It therefore
called on all Christians and indigenous communities in the north and indeed in Nigeria as a whole, to
most vehemently resist these agents of evil and anarchy.

Quoting from Matthew 7:9, Akhwat Akwop called on Nigerian Christians to wake up from their slumber;
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls to swine lest they trample on them and tear you
to pieces."

Akhwat Akwop has identified the Islamic republics of Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, and Sudan
as the sponsors of the Islamic onslaughts in northern Nigeria. "Akhwat Akwop states that nationals and
diplomats of these countries are persona non grata in Nigeria and our commandos have instructions to
hunt you down where ever and whenever they get you".

"Akhwat Akwop is stating to members of Boko Haram and other Islamic fundamentalists/terrorists that
you have tried us and not found us wanting. Akhwat Akwop will match you blood for more blood,
violence for more violence, and life for more lives. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war. End the madness
you have started or we will be forced to permanently end it for you. A word is enough for the wise".

"Akhwat Akwop states here that should President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan not want to continue as
president in 2015, the presidency must and should remain in the old eastern region of Nigeria".

Meanwhile, as more facts emerge over the Boko Haram insurgence, there are moves by leaders from the
Northern and Southern parts of the country to meet to resolve the political angles to the ravaging
militancy. Our correspondent was reliably informed that the planned meeting was designed to address the
political sides of the conflicts, even as investigations have revealed the three main fears of the North over
the Jonathan presidency that may be creating safe haven for the Islamists among Northerners.

The presidency had earlier discovered that the insurgence had a political undertone with some disaffected
Arewa chieftains alleged to be behind the sect in the bid to hit back at President Goodluck Jonathan over
the controversy that heralded the last presidential poll.

While there was no direct evidence of involvement of President Jonathan in the planned parley, it was
learnt that many Niger Delta elders very close to the president are involved with the main purpose of
rebuilding confidence between the president‘s home base and the core North.

A prominent elder, who was involved in the organization of the interaction, said "we intend to rebuild lost
confidence and forge ahead for mutually beneficial future. The Ijaw and the core North are traditional
allies, right from the First Republic. We intend to look at where mistakes are made and make corrections.

"We have made contact with our brothers in the North and we are getting favorable feedback. Some
disaffected politicians are backing the Boko Haram. We think we can ensure reconciliation and
rapprochement," the source that is from Bayelsa State told our reporter.
Findings showed further that though, foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, is not spearheading the
move, many old hands from the Niger Delta who were active players in the defunct New Nigeria Alliance
[NNA] and the National Party of Nigeria [NPN] are already contacting their colleagues from Kano,
Sokoto, Borno, Bauchi and other areas of the North for participation in the political reconciliation moves.

A top government official who was asked about the reported consultation told our correspondent that,
"President Jonathan is the president of the whole of Nigeria and would, therefore, support any well-
intentioned moves to restore peace and speed up the transformation of the country.

"Mr. President is not opposed to any genuine moves for the progress of the country. He has welcomed all
citizens to contribute their quota to the resolution of the crisis. So, the political move is a welcome
development," the official, who sought anonymity because he was not authorized to speak, said.

Further investigations, however, revealed that contact with the former National Security Adviser [NSA],
General Aliu Gusau, was real and that the involvement of the general, reputed for the depth of his
intelligence politics, was part of the holistic strategy to stem the tide of the Islamist insurrection.

General Gusau was said to be a favorite pick, not only because of his intelligence background, but also as
a way of exploiting his no love lost relationship with some Generals who are suspected of having cold
relationship with the administration.

It was reliably learnt that the Zamfara-born General was involved in the move to address the political side
of the conflict, in addition to his expected role in tackling the security menace posed by Boko Haram.

Meanwhile, investigations have unraveled the three main angers and fears of the core North, beyond the
breach of the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in the last poll.

From Sokoto to Maiduguri, findings showed that the North is said to believe that the present
administration has a succession plan that may not be in the best interest of the North, an unsubstantiated
feeling that is reportedly fuelling perceived unhappiness with the Jonathan presidency in the core North.

"When the zoning formula was breached, there was no dialogue; no negotiation with the North. The G20
which surrounded the President from the North then are not genuine leaders of the people. So, by the last
election, there was no agreement with the North as to what happens in 2015," a prominent Northern
leader recently explained.

Investigations also showed that the anger and fears of the North are three, all centering on what happens
to the Presidency when it comes up for grab again in 2015.

The first fear of the North, according to findings, was the actual intention of President Jonathan as to
whether he will vie for second term or not. This is in spite of the president‘s declaration that he would not
seek a second term in office.

A Niger Delta politician on Friday pointedly put it this way: "The North is afraid of what Jonathan will do
in 2015. They are not sure whether the man will wake up and announce his intention to run for second
term to complete his transformation agenda".

The second fear, according to findings, is whether there is truly an alleged pact between the South-East
and the president, preceding the last presidential poll, which resulted in over 90 percent vote delivered to
the ruling party.
Even when government officials denounced and denied such pact, the rumor mill in the North still believe
there is an agreement for an Igbo to succeed the president come 2015.

If the administration supports the return of the presidency to the North in 2015, there is also the fear that
either Vice President Namadi Sambo or Senate President David Mark may be the favorite of the
incumbent president, a possibility the core North is said to be opposed to.

The North was reported to have vowed never to allow Southerners to decide again who, from the North,
would occupy the presidency as was done in 2007 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It would be recalled that General Obasanjo single-handedly anointed the late President Umaru Yar‘Adua
in 2007.

Our correspondent was told that unless there is a concerted move to build confidence and allay the fear of
the North, the present administration may continue to be held with suspicion by disaffected Arewa
leaders.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN] in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital
territory [FCT], Abuja, at the weekend, urged the federal government to arrest the Northern political
leaders who were reported to have threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable, if President Jonathan won
last April presidential election. The Secretary General of Northern CAN, Elder Saidu Dogo, said in an
interview in Kaduna that the outcome of the 2011presidential election, which happened to be at the heat
of the controversy on zoning, might have instigated the current insecurity in the country.

According to him, President Jonathan should investigate those believed to have made treasonable
statements before the presidential election was conducted.

"The truth is this, there are insinuations before the presidential election took place and there were
newspapers quoting where individuals, particularly leaders in the North made statements that if Jonathan
came to power, they would make the country ungovernable for him.

"Unfortunately, such people are going freely in this country today. And, of course, they are making the
whole country ungovernable for him. The threat is now being put to practice and they have not been
arrested. They are roaming the streets, most of them are from the North, who threatened that if Jonathan
won the election, they would make Nigeria ungovernable for him.

"Such people are supposed to be called to divest themselves from those statements. Up till now, they have
not denied those statements; so, they have a case to answer. And since they have not denied making such
statements in the past, they should be held culpable until otherwise, the investigation into the issue proves
them innocent. Otherwise, the evidences are there," he said.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English -- Rivers State owned daily]

Nigeria: Editorial Examines Northern Leaders Intervention in Boko Haram Crisis

AFP20111008686003 Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English 07 Oct 11 p 14

[Editorial: "Boko Haram: Northern Leaders Unite"]

The Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF] has suddenly seen the urgent need to intercede in the Boko Haram
insurgency that has been perilous to the nation’s security. The northern socio-cultural group is planning to
convoke a conference that will address the menace of insecurity and proffer the way forward for the
North.

During a meeting with Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, the ACF reportedly
observed, through Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, its committee chairman for the Conference on
Contact and Mobilization that: "We in the North must be part of the progress and development of the
country; we have fought for the unity of this country and it must be sustained. Time is now and the ACF
has come up with the conference to address the problems facing the entire North."

He further said: "We realized that under our revered leader, the late Sardauna, nobody dare say I’m a
Muslim or a Christian; everybody lived together in peace and the nation was moving forward, but things
have changed to the level that we are now at each other’s neck.’’

We welcome the proposed all-inclusive conference initiative on Boko Haram. However, we take
exception to the tardiness of the body to act, especially in view of the bleeding injury the sect’s activities
have caused not only the North but the entire country. We note that the larger-than-life image of Boko
Haram would, ab initio, have been curbed but for the undue prolonged silence of the northern elite which
to us encouraged the sect to perpetuate more evil against the Nigerian state.

We recall that Tishau, the self-confessed co-founder of Boko Haram had sometimes ago implicated, in an
interview aired and published nationally, the northern elite, especially the governors, for breeding groups
pursuing interests that are inimical to that of the nation. No credible elite voice from the North has come
out to denounce what Tishau said. What can be inferred from this is that Boko Haram and other injurious
groups from that region are northern political elites’ creation. It is very sad to imagine that this could be
true.

More pertinent to us, however, is the fact that the conference should not just be a mere talk show where
people will come and grandstand. The northern elite must seize this opportunity to tell themselves the
truth. All northern stakeholders, including the governors, emirs, political office holders and others from
that region with seen and inferred interests in its security and that of Nigeria must be invited to state their
grievances, analyze the problems at hand and proffer solutions that can immediately nip the security
challenges we are facing in the bud.

We are happy that leaders from the North have realized that insecurity and self-inflicted turmoil are
affecting gravely northern development. They promote the detrimental phenomenon of almajiris and also
fan embers of ethno-religious crisis for none other than parochial reasons. We have always known that in
the long run, such avoidable violence and ulterior pursuits would put the North’s modernization at risk,
and the earlier its leaders realized this, the better.

Most of the issues surrounding the turmoil in the North are well known. We urge the ACF to muster
enough courage to be objective and dispassionate in treating them. The body should ensure that these
factors are openly discussed at the proposed conference. The northern socio-cultural group must not mix
the purity of Islam with the vanity of politics, otherwise, its entire effort will be a jamboree - an absolute
waste of time, energy and scarce resources.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt Niger Delta Standard in English -- Rivers State owned daily]

Nigeria: Bomb Blast Reportedly Claims 6 Lives in Borno State

AFP20111011598001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 11 Oct 11

[Report by James Bwala: "Bomb Blast Again in Maiduguri; 1 Soldier Killed; As Residents Flee Troubled
Area"]

Trouble started at about 8.00 a.m. on Monday following bomb blasts at Dala Alemderi ward of
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where an unconfirmed report put the death toll at six, following
sporadic gunshots immediately the blast occurred.

Fleeing residents of Alemderi who spoke to Nigerian Tribune said that the blast shattered the patrol
vehicle of the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order in Borno, living an army officer dead.

According to the man who identified himself as Mohammed Sani, "immediately after the blasts, we could
not tell exactly whether it was an exchange of fire between the JTF and Boko Haram members, or it was
the military that were firing, but people were killed, shops were burnt and several cars also were
damaged. The military went mad because it affected one of them as such we had to flee the area because
we all knew what would happen next."
The JTF spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammed Hassan, told Nigerian Tribune that the bomb was
planted near a high tension cable on the road heading to Dala Kabamti (the local beer joint where
hundreds of people were massacred by unknown gunmen).

According to Lieutenant-Colonel Hassan, the sect planted the bomb targeting the JTF which
unfortunately got at them, adding that there would be a news release from the JTF to that effect and that
they would explain everything later.

But when Nigerian Tribune contacted the Field Operation Commander, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, he said
that the blasts ripped apart the JTF vehicle killing a NAF officer.

He explained that this was what the JTF had been fighting and nobody was spared by the sect members.
"We would get them and they would definitely face the music," he added.

Also, an elderly woman, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune in Bullumkuttu, Abuja ward, said she took some
people to work on a farm and while coming home, she saw people running and those who knew her asked
her to go back as soldiers had cordoned off the area.

According to her, she left her grandson at home who was still sucking, because the mother left him with
her to go and write her examination at the university. "They said 'Mama, go back, there is shooting' and I
told them it was not possible. I left my grandson at home, I had to go and see him no matter what. When I
got home, soldiers were in front of my house, some of them were shouting and asking people to go back. I
saw them beating somebody, I think they took him away because when my last born came to open the
gate, we saw them beating people, but they didn't talk to us as I entered my house and closed the gate,"
she explained.

At the time of filing this report, several attempts to get the Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr Simeon
Midenda, to speak on the issue did not yield result as his phone kept ringing without response.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
NGO Accuses Nigerian Soldiers of Abuses After Deadly Bomb Attack

AFP20111011637006 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 2202 GMT 10 Oct 11

["Nigerian soldiers accused of abuses after deadly bomb attack" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Oct 10, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian troops were accused of burning homes and shooting
indiscriminately on Monday after a bomb attack in the country's northeast blamed on Islamists which
killed a soldier and a civilian.

A military spokesman denied soldiers had carried out abuses and said the bomb blast in the violence-torn
city of Maiduguri set off a fire fed by petrol canisters along the roadside that took three hours to douse.

"We have been forced to abandon our homes by shooting and burning of homes and vehicles by soldiers
following the attack on their patrol vehicle," one resident said by phone. "Everybody is fleeing."

Another resident gave a similar account.

It was not the first time the military has been accused of abuses in Maiduguri, where thousands of
residents have previously fled fearing further violence by Islamists and reprisals by soldiers.

The military said suspected Islamists remotely detonated a bomb that set off the fire.

"Three soldiers and one civilian were seriously injured following the explosion of a remote-controlled
improvised explosive device planted along a dusty road in Dala area of Maiduguri," Lieutenant Colonel
Hassan Mohammed said.

He said later in the day that one of the soldiers and the civilian died from their injuries.
The assailants were believed to be members of the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram, blamed for scores
of attacks, mainly in the country's northeast.

The sect also claimed responsibility for the August 26 bombing of UN headquarters in the capital Abuja
that killed at least 23 people.

"We believe that the device was planted by Boko Haram people. We have arrested eight suspects in
connection with the explosion," said Mohammed.

The civilian was selling petrol by the roadside in the area at the time of the explosion, said Mohammed.
Petrol canisters in the area contributed to the inferno, he said.

Nine vehicles parked along the narrow road were burnt, he said.

The bomb "was detonated by a remote control targeted at one of our patrol vehicles. The device exploded
as our patrol vehicle was passing by. The vehicle was flung metres away", he said.

Soldiers have previously been accused of shooting civilians and burning homes after accusing residents of
cooperating with the Islamists.

Amnesty International has said security forces killed at least 23 people following a bomb blast in
Maiduguri in July and 25 people died in a raid following another bomb attack earlier that month.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Violent Islamic Sect Kills Four in Maiduguri

AFP20111012686008 Port Harcourt The Neighborhood in English 12 Oct 11 p 13

[Report by Bisi Ojediran: "Boko Haram Kills Four in Maiduguri"]

Members of the Boko Haram sect have killed four persons and injured three others in separate attacks in
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Three of the casualties were reportedly killed by the sect’s gunmen at Baga International Fish Market,
while a soldier died when a bomb exploded in Gwange area of the town. Three other persons were
injured.

An international timber market near the fish market has been shut down for fear of possible attack by the
sect.

The gunmen were said to have trekked into the fish market, where neighboring Chadians, Nigeriens and
Cameroonians usually buy dry fish, and shot two local tea sellers.

An hour earlier, members of the sect had killed a patent medicine seller in the town, bringing the
casualties to three. Several people were injured in the sporadic shootings that followed the fish market
attack.

The Joint Task Force [JTF] spokesman, Lt.-Col. Hassan Mohammed, told reporters on phone that he was
not aware of the incident, but said: "something happened in Baga Road area this morning". He said: "I
have sent my men to Baga Road area where we learnt that something happened. I cannot tell
authoritatively whether or not there was an attack, but we shall surely arrest whatever situation we find
there."

Some traders told reporters that they were tired of the activities of JTF officials, who allegedly shoot at
innocent civilians.
A fish seller, Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim said: "We are in a serious dilemma here. Some gunmen come into
the market and kill our people everyday. Instead of the JTF going after them, they are busy chasing us out
of the market and forcing us to leave our shops unattended." The two international markets have been
closed.

Mohammed said some unidentified persons planted an Improvised Explosive Device [IED] near a high
tension electricity pole in Dalla and detonated it when a JTF vehicle was passing by. He said the
explosion shattered the area.

Mohammed said the fire from the explosion caught a petrol hawker by the road side near a mechanic
workshop, adding that it destroyed some cars.

The JTF spokesman said the injured were taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
[UMTH] for treatment. He said the JTF has begun investigations and that some suspects have been
arrested over the blast.

Some residents who spoke to our correspondent accused the JTF of setting the area ablaze leading to
destruction of cars and not a petrol hawker as JTF claimed.

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Neighborhood in English -- Privately owned daily]

Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram Gunmen Kill Policeman in North East of Country
AFP20111016586001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1835 GMT 15 Oct 11

["Nigeria policeman shot dead by suspected Islamists: police" -- AFP headline]

LAGOS, Oct 15, 2011 (AFP) - Two men suspected of belonging to the Boko Haram Islamist group shot
dead a policeman in northeast Nigeria, police said on Saturday.

Maliki Audu was killed late Friday in his home in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

"The two gunmen we believe to belong to Boko Haram sect fired several shots into the chest and the head
of the policeman in his house, killing him on the spot," Borno state police commissioner Simeon Midenda
told AFP.

"From all indication they trailed him to his house."

The Boko Haram sect has been blamed for scores of shootings and bomb attacks, mostly in Nigeria's
northeast.

The group claimed responsibility for the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja on August
26 that killed at least 23 people.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Xinhua: 2nd LD Writethru: Bomb Explosion Hits Nigerian Mobile Police Base, Casualties Feared

CPP20111016968086 Beijing Xinhua in English 1100 GMT 16 Oct 11

[Xinhua: "2nd LD Writethru: Bomb Explosion Hits Nigerian Mobile Police Base, Casualties Feared"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

GOMBE, Nigeria, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- An early morning bomb explosion on Sunday hit the Nigerian
police mobile base in northern Gombe State.

A competent source told Xinhua that a powerful explosion rocked "Mopol 34" in Gombe state at about 4.
a.m local time, saying casualties are feared.

The source said some unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Islamist group Boko
Haram hurled a bomb at the mobile police base leading to the explosion.

"Two building and seven operational vehicles were badly burnt, " the police source told Xinhua.

But the police at the scene said they could not confirm the figure at this stage.

Xinhua's reporter at the scene said the mobile police base is some few km away from the state capital,
noting that the police was able to discover another bomb that was yet to be exploded.

He added that the gunmen carted away some undisclosed arms and ammunition.

State commissioner for police Erubebe Ebikume confirmed the attacked to Xinhua in his office, but
decline to give further details.

[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency)]
Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill Policeman, 3 Others in Gombe State

AFP20111017598002 Lagos This Day Online in English 17 Oct 11

[Report by Segun Awofadeji and Seriki Adinoyi: "Gombe: 4 Killed as Gunmen Attack Mobile Police"]

A police officer and three civilians were in the early hours of Sunday killed when unknown gunmen
suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked 34 Squadron Mobile Police Base along Dukku Road on
the outskirts of Gombe metropolis.

Also in Jos, Plateau State, a soldier was lured to his death, while a reprisal by the Special Task Force
(STF) led to the death of a civilian.

Security has been beefed up in Gombe with multiple checkpoints as every passing vehicle is now being
stopped and searched.

THISDAY counted 14 operation vehicles of the police parked close to the armoury which were
completely burnt, with the charred remains of the officer on duty. The armoury was blasted with
explosives.

The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Orubebe Gandi Ebikeme, confirmed the attack and deaths but
said they were still working on the details of the attack which took place at about 2am Sunday.

Commenting on the development, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Yola Zone, Mr. John
Moronike, expressed relief that the attack on the armoury was not as severe as initially feared.
Moronike refused to ascribe the incident to the Boko Haram sect, armed robbers or any group but said the
matter would be thoroughly investigated before they could be sure of the actual culprits.

He said: "We are still working and investigations are on. I don't want to rush into judgment because it is
too early to suspect anyone or group. But one thing I will assure you is that the police are on top of the
situation."

In Jos, a soldier attached to the STF, Sgt. Baba Wuya, was on Saturday night killed along Lasisi Street of
Ali Kazaure area of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

The sergeant was said to have been lured by some youths in the area into a corner where he was killed in
cold blood.

This angered the other soldiers, who mobilised and launched a reprisal in the early hours of Sunday,
resulting in the death of a civilian, the Ward Head of Ali Kazaure, Alhaji Ahmadu Ali Kazaure, while
several others were said to have been seriously injured and are receiving treatment at the Jos University
Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

A resident of the street, who gave his name as Abubakar, said the soldiers raided Lasisi Street in great
anger and shot at random, killing the man and injuring several others. He said the corpse of the late
Kazaure had been deposited at the mortuary in JUTH.

A statement from the STF spokesman, Cpt. Charles Ekeocha, confirmed that the soldier, an STF member,
was killed while on duty.

"A soldier serving with the special task force was machetted to death by unidentified persons along Lasisi
Street, Ali Kazaure area of Jos and his weapon carted away.

"The soldier, Sgt. Baba Wuya, was on his way to check another of his guard post when the incident
occurred," the statement added.

Ekeocha said it was condemnable that the same people the soldiers had been sent to protect were in turn
killing them.
"The soldier was murdered in cold blood ostensibly by the same people he is trying to protect. His murder
borders on criminality and that is why his rifle which is the target of the killing was carted away. This
weapon will in turn be used to perpetrate crimes on the innocent citizens of Jos and its environs.

"The STF wishes to use this medium to draw the attention of the citizens of Plateau State that any
individual or group of persons who are bent on fomenting trouble with the sole aim of truncating the
peace of the state are not welcomed," he said.

[Description of Source: Lagos This Day Online in English -- Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Kill Lawmaker in Borno State

AFP20111017598001 New York Sahara Reporters in English 0017 GMT 17 Oct 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Kills Lawmaker in Maiduguri"]

A member of the Borno state house of assembly representing Konduga local government area. Hon.
Modu Bintube, has been killed by suspected Islamists in Maiduguri on Sunday.

Alhaji Bintube,50, was reportedly shot in the head at his residence early evening on Sunday.

Radical militant group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the killing.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]
Boko Haram now Reportedly Targets Prominent Nigerians in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna

AFP20111022619004 Lagos National Daily in English 17 Oct 11 - 24 Oct 11 1, 7

[Report by Olutayo Olubi: "Boko Haram targets prominent Nigerians"]

It might take quite a while for the present wave of terror acts currently raging in the country to subside.
This is in view of the readiness of the country's latest face of terror, the Boko Haram sect to carry out
more attacks.

Investigation has revealed that the sect that has gained unwholesome notoriety within the last two years
has promised to carry out more attacks, specifically in the nation's capital territory, Abuja and some state
capitals in the North, to wit: Kaduna and Kano.

The sect has also expressed its willingness to direct the attacks at notable and influential Nigerians
living in these cities. The unrepentant and deadly Nigeria's Islamic group claimed that it has devised new
strategies to detonate bombs in parts of the country especially in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The statement "issued by the sect reads: "This is to let the residence know that we have no device in
Abuja but we are planning an attack in two weeks time. People should steer clear. Our commodores are
working on a different tactics against the Nigerian state.
 "Insha Allah, we will be guest in Abuja," the terse message stated. Findings revealed that security
operatives have been placed on red-alert in Abuja and most state capitals in a bid to counter any planned
attack by the dreaded Islamic sect.

Another attack

However, no matter the security checks put in place seemed not to be effective because the Federal
Capital Territory last Thursday evening witnessed another explosion as three buildings in the highbrow
Maitama District were partially damaged.

In the explosion, residences of retired General Lawrence Onoja, a former principal general staff officer
to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha and ex-director general of the defunct National Security
Organization, Alhaji Umaru Ali Shinkafi, on Lahn Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja, were affected. The
third building affected is located at No.3 of the street which is barely 500 meters away from the official
residence of the inspector general of police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim.

Expectedly, the incident created panic among residents and security agents within the vicinity where the
official residences of some ambassadors and heads of foreign missions are also situated, as people
scampered for safety amid fears that the dreaded, Boko Haram, might have struck again.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, Ringim said that it was an explosion and not a bomb blast.
According to Ringim, "it is true that there was an explosion, but it wasn't a bomb.

What happened was that the owner of the plot had contracted a construction company to build a
structure for him and in the course of doing the job, the workers used explosives to blast stones, which
caused the destruction. Police are investigating the incident to determine how they came about the
explosives."

At the residence of General Onoja, who was also a former military governor of Katsina and Plateau
states, red mud covered the entire compound just as the roof of his building was partially ripped open.

Also, the front and rear windscreens of a sleek Mercedes Benz car with registration number Abuja CF
476 ABJ, were completely shattered.
 A resident, who pleaded anonymity said that the was car was parked at the periphery of the fence
behind the retired army officer's residence but was pushed to the front close to the security post by the
impact of the blast which occurred directly behind the building.

Investigation revealed that the worst hit was House No. 3 Lahn Crescent, which had its roof almost
totally damaged. No fewer than 10 persons were seen fixing the damaged roofs and other parts of some of
the affected buildings when reporters from this newspaper visited the area.

General Onoja, who was seen at his residence trying to put things together, declined comments.

Basis for negotiation

These attacks are seen as an attempt by the sect to set the appropriate tone for possible negotiation with
the federal government. The Islamic sect insisted that the release of its detained members remained the
first condition for dialogue. The pronouncement came after three people were killed in renewed attacks in
Maiduguri, Borno State.

Restating its position for negotiation with government, the spokesman for the sect, Ahu Qaqa said in a
statement, "our position remains the establishment of shariah law in all Muslim states in Nigeria. But as a
temporary measure for peace, we will accept to talk with the government only when all our members in
captivity all over the states are released."

He added that the sect had the records of its members arrested either by the police, the State Security
Service or other security agencies. Qaqa also pointed out that the group did not have any other motive
than the entrenchment of Islamic law in Nigeria.

He, however, faulted the claim of the Gaji Galtimari-led federal government committee on security
challenges in the Northeast that members of the Boko Haram is ready to dialogue with the government.
"We only heard the story in the media; nobody contacted us throughout the sitting of the committee.

So, it is wrong for them to recommend dialogue with us when they did not make any effort to meet
with us. The idea of appointing the Sultan of Sokoto as a mediator between us and the government is also
not acceptable to us because the Sultan is not the authentic Muslim leader in Nigeria."

Assault list
 It will be recalled that a suicide car bomber and member of the Boko Haram sect on 26 Aug 2011 blew
up the UN headquarters in Abuja, leaving at least 24 persons dead and dozens more injured among
several other deadly attacks.

Earlier in Yobe state, Boko Haram fighters reportedly used fuel-laden motorcycles and bows with
poison arrows to attack a police station and in January 2010, the group struck again in Borno State, killing
four people in Dala Alemderi ward in Maiduguri metropolis while on 7 Sep, 2010, the sect members freed
over 700 inmates from a prison in Bauchi State.

In December 2010, the group was blamed for a market bombing following which 92 of its members
were arrested by police, while on Friday 28 Jan, 2011, the Borno State candidate of the All Nigeria
People's Party for the April 2011 gubernatorial elections was assassinated along with his brother, four
police officers, and a l2-year old boy.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday 8 Feb, 2011, Boko Haram gave conditions for peace, demanding that the Borno
State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, should step down from office with immediate effect and also
allow members to reclaim their mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State but on 9 May, 2011 the
sect rejected an offer for amnesty made by the governor-elect of Borno State, Kashim Shettima.

On 1 Apr, the eve of Nigeria's legislative elections, suspected Boko Haram members attacked a police
station in Bauchi State and on 9 Apr, a polling centre in Maiduguri was bombed while on 15 Apr, the
Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral Commission was bombed, and several people
were shot in a separate incident on the same day.

On 17 Jun, 2011, the group claimed responsibility for a bombing attack on the police force headquarters
in Abuja that occurred the previous day, just as security officials believed that the attack was the first
suicide bombing in Nigeria's history and that it specifically targeted the police inspector general, Hafiz
Ringim.

On 26 Jun, 2011, the sect carried out another bomb attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri, according to
officials and witnesses. Militants on motorcycles threw explosives into the drinking spot, killing about 25
people and the next day, yet another bombing in Maiduguri attributed to the group killed at least two girls
and wounded three customs officials.

On 10 Jul, 2011, the All Christian Fellowship Church in Suleja, Niger State was allegedly bombed by
the sect.

Dogma:
 The Boko Haram group is opposed to not only Western education but Western culture and modern
science as well as it forbids the wearing of shirts and pants and the act of voting in elections, and
believing that the Nigerian state is run by non-believers.

In a 2009, Mohammed Yusuf, then the group's leader, stated that he rejected the fact that the earth is a
sphere and views it as contrary to Islam, along with the fact that rain comes from water evaporated by the
sun.

Boko Haram, meaning "Western education is a taboo" is a Nigerian Islamist group that seeks the
imposition of Shariah law in the northern states of Nigeria and operating with an undefined structure and
chain of command. Its official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic
means "people committed to the propagation of the prophet's teachings and jihad."

In Bauchi, the group, which includes members who come from neighboring Chad and speak only in
Arabic was reported as refusing to mix with the local people.

[Description of Source: Lagos National Daily in English - independent weekly news magazine]

AFP: Witnesses Say Suspected Islamists Kill Nigerian Reporter

EUP20111022756001 Paris AFP (North American Service) in English 22 Oct 11

["Suspected Islamists kill Nigerian reporter: witnesses" -- AFP headline]

Gunmen suspected to be members of the radical Boko Haram sect on Saturday shot dead a television
journalist in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, witnesses said.

Zakariyya Isa, a reporter with the state-run Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), was shot dead around
7:30 pm in front of his house in Bulunkutu area of the city shortly after leaving the mosque, witness
Malam Musa Jafaru told AFP.

"We just finished Ishai (Moslem) prayer and he left us," he said.

"Then after some few minutes we heard a loud sound and when we came out we saw Zakariyya in front
of his house in a pool of his blood."

He said the gunmen had trailed the reporter, who was a popular Hausa translator and newscaster with the
Maiduguri office of NTA, to his house, a few meters from the mosque before opening fire on him.

Muhammed Musa, a manager with NTA, said: "I was called and told that one of my employees had been
shot dead."

The attack happened in the northern city of Maiduguri, which has been hit by a string of deadly bomb and
gun attacks attributed to Boko Haram.

While most of its attacks have occurred in Nigeria's northeast, Boko Haram also claimed responsibility
for the August 26 bomb blast at UN headquarters in Abuja that killed at least 23 people.

Saturday's killing was the first of its kind targeting journalists in the violence-wracked city.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the killing, last month, Boko Haram threatened in a
statement in Maiduguri to attack media organisations, particularly some foreign media, over what it
described as misrepresentation of its activities in the country.
Boko Haram has claimed to be fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria, whose 150
million population is roughly divided in half between Christians and Muslims.

The sect launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a military assault which left hundreds dead, as well as
its mosque and headquarters in Maiduguri in ruins.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (North American Service) in English -- North American service of the
independent French press agency Agence France-Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Militants Claim Responsibility For The Death Of a Journalist

AFP20111027667001 Jigawa Jigawa Radio in Hausa 1630 GMT 24 Oct 11

[From]

Members of the Boko Haram sect have claimed responsibility for the killing of a cameraman with the
Nigerian Television Authority, Maiduguri Network Center, Zakariyya Isa, saying he was killed over
alleged spying. The group which made this known in a statement to newsmen added that Zakariyya was
killed because he spied on the group through giving information to security agents which led to the arrest
of many of their members. The statement further said "Zakariyya was warned to desist from such action
but ignored the warning. "Spying is against the ethic of journalism and so he is to be blamed for his death.
So no one spy on us and get away with it." It should be recalled that Zakariyya was killed at the weekend
in front of his house at Bulunkutu area of Maiduguri.
[Description of Source: Jigawa Radio Jigawa in Hausa -- State-owned, government-controlled radio]

Nigeria: Islamist Sect, Boko Haram, Rejects Government's Peace Initiative

AFP20110923636016 Ouagadougou Le Pays Online in French 20 Sep 11

[Report by Séni DABO: "Boko Haram in Nigeria: An Islamist Time Bomb for West Africa"]

"Negotiation" and "dialogue" are words that are, seemingly, absent from the dictionary of the Nigerian
Islamist sect, Boko Haram. And woe betides any member who dares to use these words! He could be,
severely, punished. That is what happened to Babakura Fugu, brother-in-law of the deceased guru of the
sect (Mohammed Yusuf) on 17 September, when fellow members riddled him with bullets at his home.
His crime was that, on the eve, he attended a meeting in Maiduguru between the family of the former sect
leader and the former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whose objective was to convince Boko
Haram to come back to the negotiation table. In passing, the assailants of the guru's brother-in-law
warned Obasanjo, whose move is, apparently, backed by President Goodluck. The Allah extremists
promised him the same fate, if he did not stop the initiative, immediately. This clear message,
unfortunately, thwarts every effort to find a solution to the problem.

Until then, the Abuja regime had always been accused of using only repressive measures against the sect.
But the assassination of its guru has not stopped them. The tragic incident seems instead to have hardened
the movement, which is no longer contented just with attacking Christians, churches and police stations in
its Maiduguru stronghold. They have also started attacking people outside the area, as seen in the suicide
bomb attack, perpetrated at the UN Headquarters in Abuja (claimed by the movement), on 26 August, and
which officially killed 23 people. Could this "feat" be the reason why Boko Haram has decided to close
the door to any dialogue? Or has its connection with Al-Qaida in the Lands of Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM)
made it to grow wings?
The former Nigerian president's initiative is an olive branch that the sect has refused to take. The rejection
of the government's peace initiative of resolving to negotiate with the sect, after using force, could hide
the complete absence of a platform, apart from the rejection of Western culture, and, consequently, a
withdrawal. Besides, that should not be very surprising for a sect founded, generally, on a guru's spiritual
enlightenment. This sect is characterized by religious extremism and obscurantism, which is far from the
values of tolerance that are, however, advocated by Islam, which its members go by to persecute
Christians, carry out attacks and reject Western culture. Its connection with AQLIM is transforming the
sect into a terrorist movement. From that point of view, it is no longer a threat only to Nigeria. The entire
West African subregion is a potential target. Just like AQLIM, Boko Haram can take its terror to other
countries and carry out attacks there.

A subregional institution like Ecowas should be more and more worried about this possibility and devote
a head of states' summit to this serious threat that Boko Haram represents. If it can organize a mini-
summit for heads of state and a meeting with military chiefs of staff to talk about the level of insecurity
on the Ivorian-Liberian border, it should also be able to organize one on the West African Islamist time
bomb that Boko Haram is becoming. Ecowas would do well to take this insecurity problem, seriously.
But will the heads of state move, quickly, or give themselves all the time, as has been the case for years
now, concerning security in the Sahelo-Saharan strip threatened by AQLIM? That is the whole point.

[Description of Source: Ouagadougou Le Pays Online in French -- Website of the privately owned, pro-
opposition daily; URL: http://www.lepays.bf]

Officials, Experts Say Al-Qa'ida Establishing Links in Troubled African States

EUP20111030102009 Paris AFP (North European Service) in English 0920 GMT 30 Oct 11

["Al-Qaeda Could Be Drawn to Troubled African States" -- AFP headline]

PARIS, Oct 30, 2011 (AFP) -- Al-Qaeda could be seeking new sanctuaries in unstable African nations
and the continent's disparate armed Islamist groups may forge closer ties under the Al-Qaeda umbrella,
experts and officials warned.

The organisation founded by the late Saudi-born Osama bin Laden has largely been driven out of former
safe-haven Afghanistan, and it has been battered by US drone attacks across the border in Pakistan,
leaving it in need of new bases.

Al-Qaeda has already established links with a number of African Islamist groups.

Its declared north Africa affiliate is Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Somalia's Shebab also
swore allegiance to bin Laden, who was killed by US commandos in May.

"Al-Qaeda traditionally has taken advantage of areas that are wracked by conflict, turmoil and lack of
government. It is a safe haven they seek to launch attacks," said John Brennan, US President Barack
Obama's top anti-terrorism official.

Somalia, without a stable government since 1991 and currently led by a weak government that is largely
confined to the capital Mogadishu, could therefore be an ideal sanctuary, Brennan said.

"Somalia is one of the most challenging areas of the world because it has this internal conflict, it has such
a devastating famine, and it is an area that Al-Qaeda has tried regularly to exploit," he added.

AQIM has been linked to attacks and kidnappings across north Africa.

And the already volatile region was further destabilised by the months-long conflict in Libya, which may
have flooded the region with weapons once controlled by Moamer Kadhafi's fallen regime, officials said.

Vast, sparsely populated areas across countries such as Mauritania, Mali and Algeria could also offer
senior Al-Qaeda leaders a safe haven, some officials said.

Although Nigeria has little appeal as a territorial base, the Boko Haram Islamist group there is also
thought to have ideological links to Al-Qaeda.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for August's suicide bomb attack in Abuja at the UN headquarters in
Nigeria that killed 24 people.

Shebab, AQIM and Boko Haram are "each individually of concern," US general Carter Ham, who heads
the Africa command, said recently in Washington.

"But what really concerns me is at least a stated intent for those organisations to link and synchronise
their efforts," he added.

"That, to me, would be a very, very dangerous outcome for us."

The Abuja blasts highlight this fear, as Nigerian police have said that Boko Haram's number two,
Mamman Nur, spent time in Somalia with the Shebab before returning to Nigeria in July to plan the
attacks.

The suicide bombing carried out by a driver in an explosives-packed car also had the stamp of Al-Qaeda
methodology.

Relations between the Shebab and Al-Qaeda are well-established.

In mid-October, a video appeared on a jihadist site showing a young masked man, who identified himself
as Abu Abdullah al-Mouhajir, filmed in an area of Somalia controlled by the Shebab.

Speaking in English, he said he had been sent to Somalia by Ayman al-Zawahiri, who succeeded bin
Laden as Al-Qaeda's chief.

Roger Middleton, an East Africa specialist at London's Chatham House think tank, sees a risk of even
closer ties between the Shebab and Al-Qaeda.

"Some of the leadership of Shebab are pretty committed to the idea of global jihad and rebuilding the
Caliphate and all these kind of ideas," he said.
"Some of them fought in Afghanistan and come from that kind of background, so there are certainly
international links but they are pretty busy in Somalia," he added.

"There probably are ideologically some similarities, but I don't have any evidence of operational
cooperation."

[Description of Source: Paris AFP in English -- North European Service of independent French press
agency Agence France-Presse]

Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram Militants Bomb Maiduguri

AFP20111030667001 Kano Freedom Radio in English 1900 GMT 30 Oct 11

[From]

Suspected members of the Boko Haram today carried out another bomb blast at Bulabulin Ngarnam in
Maiduguri, Borno State. The spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force, Colonel Victor who confirmed
to newsmen said the attack was targeted at military patrol. Colonel Victor also explained that there were
no casualties following the explosion.

The report however explained that residents in the area of the incident were seen fleeing for fear of
possible military invasion.
Maiduguri has come under series of bomb attacks in recent times which make it one of the deadliest cities
in the world.

[Description of Source: Kano Freedom Radio in English -- independent radio]

Nigeria: Police Arrest Suspected Islamic Sect Member With Explosives in Borno

AFP20111103598007 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 03 Nov 11

[Report by James Bwala: "Boko Haram Wraps Bombs as Sallah Gifts; Police Arrest Bomb Makers,
Recover Bombs, Guns"]

A major disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, was on Wednesday foiled by the police, as the
dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, had planned to present cleverly wrapped bombs as Sallah gifts to
some individuals in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Simeon Midenda, said on Wednesday that the command had
arrested a 23-year-old member of the sect, Sheriff Shettima, who was the arrowhead of the plans.

Shettima, the police boss said, was trained in bomb making and had led some major operations of the sect
in the past.
Addressing newsmen, Mr Midenda said that Shettima was arrested in his house in Maiduguri metropolis,
where explosives, guns and ammunition, which he confessed were initially prepared to bomb the
headquarters of Borno State police command, were recovered.

The police boss said that the suspect confessed that the bombing of the police headquarters could not be
done because of an emergency journey he made to Kano to transact some business.

The suspect, according to the police, revealed that some of the explosives were meant to be wrapped as
gifts for people during sallah, adding that "the receivers of the gifts might not suspect that these are
IEDs."

The police boss said, "these people would have succeeded but for God's intervention, adding, "with the
arrest of Sheriff Shettima and by extension, the recovery of arms and ammunition, the command has
averted a major disaster that was to befall Maiduguri and mar peaceful celebration of the forthcoming
Eid-el-Kabir."

Mr Midenda said that the police also recovered one SMG rifle (French made) with 104 rounds of live
ammunition, empty ammunition chains, two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two pairs of military
uniform, three empty ammunition boxes and three gallons of highly inflammable liquid.

The police commissioner also said that Shettima confessed that his team was responsible for some
robbery operations in the state to raise funds for the sect, adding that the team robbed FirstBank Nigeria
Plc, Damboa branch, where they killed one Corporal Yohanna Ishaya, a policeman on guard duty, and
stole N21,992,890.00 on October 12, 2011, while the gang was also responsible for the attack on the same
bank in May 2011 as well as the Kala Balge Local Government salary robbery incident, in which an
inspector of police and a police constable as well as the local government cashier were killed.

The police boss said the suspect also led the police investigating team to 25 different houses of his
accomplices in Maiduguri metropolis, with a view to arresting them, but lamented that all the houses were
found to have been abandoned by their occupants.

Also speaking on the recent snatching of vehicles at gunpoint in Maiduguri, the commissioner said the
police had arrested one Idi Umar, a notorious robbery suspect, following the confession by one of his
gang members, Idi Musa.

He said one AK47 rifle with 57 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him, while three
vehicles, number plates and vehicle documents were found in his possession.
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Military Recovers 1,000 Firearms in Maiduguri Arms Mop-up

AFP20111104606002 Lagos Vanguard in English 03 Nov 11 p 2

[Report by Ola Ajayi and Gabriel Enogholase: "JTF recovers 1,000 firearms in Maiduguri arms mop-up"]

Soldiers from a special military unit deployed to end the violence in the city of Maiduguri on Tuesday
launched a house-to-house search for weapons following an 31 October deadline for residents to turn in
weapons. A military unit’s spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed, said they have recovered
at least 1,000 firearms in the first 24 hours of the exercise as residents who had been afraid to declare
their arms rushed to drop them off at various designated collection points or simply left them by the
roadside. Towns and villages near Maiduguri city, the epicenter of frequent gun and bomb attacks by
suspected sect members in recent months, are also targeted in the arms clean-up operation.

Also a purported spokesman for a Nigerian Islamist sect has dismissed an arms mop up exercise by
soldiers in the restive city of Maiduguri as a ploy to disarm residents ahead of a suspected crackdown. In
a conference call with journalists in the northeastern city, a man identifying himself as a spokesman for
the Boko Haram sect that has been behind strings of deadly attacks in recent months, called on the city’s
residents not to give in to what he called a trick by the military.
"I call on the people of Maiduguri not to give in to this deception because it will amount to mortgaging
your freedom and your enemies will attack you with ease," said Abu Qaqa. Qaqa has claimed to speak on
behalf of the radical sect on several previous occasions but Boko Haram is believed to have a number of
factions and several others have identified themselves as spokesmen as well. "Your arms are your only
protection and the aim of disarming you is to render you defenseless and hopeless when the military
launches its planned attack on you," said Qaqa. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the August 26
UN bombing that killed at least 24 people in Abuja.

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard in English -- Independent widely read daily]

Al Jazeera.net: Multiple Explosions Target Nigerian City

GMP20111104966108 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 1640 GMT 04 Nov 11

["Multiple Explosions Target Nigerian City" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(Al Jazeera net) -

Several explosions have hit a university and a military base in Nigeria's troubled northeastern city of
Maiduguri.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but authorities said they suspected Boko Haram, a radical
Muslim group which has carried out a succession of attacks in and around the city, was responsible.

Borno state police commissioner Simeon Midenda said one blast detonated around noon outside an
Islamic college where parents had gathered.

Witnesses told The Associated Press news agency they had seen six people being taken from the scene in
ambulances, but a security source told Reuters it was unclear whether there were any casualties.

A short time later, suicide bombers driving a black SUV attempted to enter a base for the military unit
charged with protecting the city from Boko Haram fighters, a military spokesperson told AP.

The SUV couldn't enter the gate and those inside detonated explosives outside the base, damaging several
buildings in the military's compound, according to Hassan Ifijeh Mohammed, the spokesman.

Mohammed said only a few soldiers suffered "minor injuries" from the attack. But AP said Mohammed's
claims could not be immediately verified and the police commissioner declined to say how many people
had been wounded.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sacrilege", has staged numerous targeted assassinations
and bombings around Maiduguri over the last year, killing more than 240 people this year alone,
according to AP figures.

In recent months, the group appears to have abandoned some of its previous restraint in only targeting
government and security officials.

In August, it claimed responsibility for the suicide car bombing of the United Nations headquarters in
Nigeria's capital Abuja, which killed 24 people and left another 116 wounded.

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]
Boko Haram Describes Assassinated Journalist as Government's Secret Agent

AFP20111105619003 Lagos Newswatch in English 31 Oct 11 - 07 Nov 11 38

[Report by Ishaya Ibrahim: "Boko Haram kills again"]

Zakariya Isa, cameraman with the Nigeria Television Authority killed in Maidugiri

Until Saturday night, 22 Oct, journalists in Maiduguri had never felt personally threatened by the
activities of Jama'atu Ahlil Sunnah Lidda' awati Wal Jihad aka Boko Haram. The relationship between the
two had been somewhat business-like.

The sect members largely relied on the journalists to reach the Nigerian public, a job the press had done
diligently. But on that fateful day, members of the press had to reappraise their relationship with the
dreaded sect after Zakariya Isa, a journalist with the Nigeria Television Authority [NTA] was killed at
exactly 7:30.p.m in front of his house while returning from the mosque.

The sect members claimed that Isa was killed because he was an agent of a security agency but a
Maiduguri-based journalist who wishes anonymity doubted the story. According to the journalist, Isa was
not a spy for any security organization but a television cameraman with the NTA.

The source added that the slain journalist had never been an adherent of Boko Haram and could not
have been in possession of any information that could have endangered the sect in anyway. To him, the
sect is not being completely honest on why they killed Isa.
 Another journalist, who wishes anonymity, said that perhaps the sect simply demonstrated that the
threat they issued to journalists in the state last month was real. Abu Qaqa, spokesperson of the sect, had
warned reporters against misrepresenting them.

Qaqa's warning was sequel to the murder of Babakura Fugu, brother in-law of Mohammed Yusuf, the
Boko Haram leader and the man who was killed 48 hours after hosting Olusegun Obasanjo, former
Nigerian president, in his Maiduguri, residence.

Some sections of the media had attributed the killing to the sect. But Qaqa said that they were being
misquoted and warned the press that if they would not do their jobs professionally, the group would be
forced to take action against them. The source believes that perhaps the killing of the NTA camera man
was what the sect meant.

But barely 48 hours after the killing of the journalist, Qaqa, said that the deceased was killed because he
was spying for a security agency. He said in an email statement that Isa's murder, which was the first of
such attack targeting a journalist, was carried out in front of his house, shortly after leaving a mosque.

"We killed him because he was spying on us for the Nigerian security authorities. The killing was
carefully planned and executed. We have ample evidence that he was giving vital information to security
agencies on our mode of operation that led to the arrest of many of our members."

The statement, which was written in Hausa language, said: "We killed him not because he was a
journalist but for his personal misconduct." The statement also warned that the group would not hesitate
to kill anyone that stepped on its toes.

But colleagues of Isa have described the killing as barbaric and an act of injustice. The Nigeria Union of
journalists, in a statement signed by Shuaibu Naman, its national secretary, in Abuja, called on Nigerians
to rise up against the unwholesome act, saying if the act was not put in check, it would hamper good
governance, fairness and social justice badly needed in the country.

Daniya Mohammed, the NTA Maiduguri manager, said that he had "no reason to believe that Isa was
working as a spy for the security agencies."Zakariyya Isa was a dedicated and loyal staff. He was a kind
of person who could not hurt a fly. I was, therefore, shocked and sad when I learnt that he had been killed
by some gunmen."
 The State Security Service also said that Isa was not their agent. Marilyn Ogar, spokesperson of the
service, denied the alleged involvement of Isa in any work of the agency.

[Description of Source: Lagos Newswatch in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Xinhua: 2nd LD: Over 100 Killed in Northern Nigeria Bomb Attacks

CPP20111105968140 Beijing Xinhua in English 1349 GMT 05 Nov 11

[Xinhua: "2nd LD: Over 100 Killed in Northern Nigeria Bomb Attacks"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

DAMATURU, Nigeria, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Officials at the Damaturu General Hospital told Xinhua that
over 100 dead bodies were lying at the morgue as of Saturday noon.

The hospital officials said relatives of the deceased have been trooping to the hospital to identify the
victims.

A press conference by the state Police Commissioner Sulaimon Lawal set for 12:00 local time was
postponed, as the security operatives in the state were said to be making frantic efforts to curtail further
attacks by the dreaded sect.
Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram on Friday launched bloody bomb attack late Friday
in Damaturu, capital of northeast Yobe State.

Six bombs went off in different parts of the town the main targets being the 360 Housing Estate, the Anti-
Terrorism Squad office and the Police headquarters.

At least one church - St Mary's Catholic Church - was burnt by the rampaging men. The parish priest was
reportedly taking refuge at a police station. Gun shots shook the town for much of last night, forcing
residents to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, three suspected suicide bombers died on Friday in northeast Nigeria when the explosives they
attempted to use exploded prematurely.

The suspected bombers driving a black SUV sped up at the gate of the Joint Task Force (JTF)
Headquarters in the state capital Maiduguri when the device exploded, the News Agency of Nigeria
reported. The bombers were believed to be members of Boko Haram.

JTF spokesman Hassan Mohammed confirmed the incident, saying no one other than the bombers was
killed.

He said the gate and some parts of buildings around the entrance to the headquarters were damaged in the
blast.

Two other explosions were reported in the Bulumkutu and Nganaram Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri on
Friday, but there were no casualties, Mohammed said.

[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency)]
Suicide Bomber Hit Nigeria Police Building

AFP20111105650005 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1357 GMT 05 Nov 11

["Suicide bomber hit Nigeria police building: police chief" -- AFP headline]

LAGOS, Nov 5, 2011 (AFP) - A bomb that ripped through one of the police offices in northeastern
Nigeria's city of Damaturu during a wave of attacks on Friday was a suicide blast, a police chief for Yobe
state said Saturday.

"It was a suicide bomb attack at one of our buildings. The attacker came in a Honda CRV and rammed
into the building and explosives exploded," police commissioner Suleimon Lawal told AFP on the phone.

At least 63 people were killed in the city when attackers went on the rampage, bombing police stations
and churches, a Red Cross official and residents said.

It could not be immediately established if the building referred to by Lawal was the police headquarters,
one of the offices hit.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the Friday attacks that kicked off in Maiduguri, a northeastern city
that has borne the brunt of violence blamed on the Islamist group known as Boko Haram.

The military in Maiduguri said suicide attackers in a black sports utility tried to enter its heaquarters
before setting off their explosives outside, at around midday on Friday.

Another bomb went off outside the offices of the state intelligence agency in the same city.

Hours later the similar attacks were launched in Damaturu, around 120 kilometres (75 miles) to the west
of Maiduguri.

Boko Haram claimed to be behind the August 26 suicide bombing of the UN headquarters in the capital
Abuja which killed 24 people, as well as a June attack on the national police headquarters, also in the
capital.
The string of attacks came two days ahead of the annual Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast
of Sacrifice.

Nigerian police have been placed on red alert nationwide.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Claims Responsibility for Killings in Yobe State

AFP20111106598002 New York Sahara Reporters in English 0049 GMT 06 Nov 11

[Unattributed report: "Mayhem as Boko Haram Goes on Killing Spree"]

Militants belonging to the dreaded Boko Haram sect have unleashed mayhem in two of Nigeria's north
eastern states, with the death toll rising to more than 150, according to officials of the National
Emergency Agency (NEMA). The Boko Haram killers have swept through Damaturu, Yobe State as well
as Maiduguri, Borno State, engaging in an unprecedented orgy of violence over the last 24 hours.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the killings of church goers in Damaturu. The group is also
suspected to be responsible for extensive violence in the already volatile city of Maiduguri, which has
become Nigeria's bloodiest hotspot where Islamist killers seem to easily overwhelm Nigeria's security
officials with impunity.
Meanwhile, a close aide of President Goodluck Jonathan said the president considers the reign of terror as
a politically motivated effort to undermine his government.

"The president appears helpless to offer a solution," an evangelical pastor in Damaturu told
SaharaReporters. "We are being slaughtered and the government is doing nothing about it," he
complained.

Mr. Jonathan has offered his condolences to the victims of the violence. In addition, he announced that he
was cancelling his attendance of his brother's wedding in Bayelsa State.

"How does it help us that he is not going to his brother's wedding?" a source in Maiduguri asked, adding
that the residents of the city are completely at the mercy of the militants, undefended by the Nigerian
security agencies.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]

Al Jazeera.net: Nigeria Group Threatens More Deadly Attacks

GMP20111106966053 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 1300 GMT 06 Nov 11

["Nigeria Group Threatens More Deadly Attacks" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(Al Jazeera net) -

Nigeria's Boko Haram has threatened to carry out more attacks, a day after a series of blasts and gun
battles claimed by the group killed at least 69 people in the West African nation's northeast.

The group's spokesman, using the nom de guerre Abul-Qaqa, promised "more attacks are on the way",
speaking hours after witnesses reported "scenes of carnage" in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sacrilege", has claimed responsibility for previous
attacks and Friday's was the deadliest since the group attacked a UN building in the capital Abuja in
August, killing at least 20 people.

"We will continue attacking federal government formations until security forces stop their excesses on
our members and vulnerable civilians," Abul-Qaqa said in an interview with the the Daily Trust, the
newspaper of record across Nigeria's Muslim north.

Suleimon Lawal, the police commissioner of Damaturu, told Al Jazeera a suicide bomber drove a vehicle
apparently laden with explosives into a building housing the anti-terrorist court.Lawal said the attack
killed 53 people but he did not disclose how many among the casualties were security officials.

"The explosives rocked the building and there were casualties. Two of them [suicide bombers] perished in
the bomb," he said.

Lawal insisted the group was not gaining an upper hand and vowed that it would be crushed."My strategy
is a security strategy [that] I cannot disclose on air. So as they're not [Boko Haram] disclosing their
security strategy, I don't think it is safe for me to tell the whole world what I am doing," he said.The Red
Cross said the death toll stood at 63. But an official of the country's road safety agency who took part in
the collection of bodies, told the AFP news agency that 150 people had been killed.

An AFP reporter counted 97 bodies in a hospital mortuary in northeastern Nigeria on Saturday. The
remaining bodies had reportedly been already collected for burial.

"It is diffcult to verify these reports especially since this is a very remote part of the country," Al Jazeera's
Yvonne Ndege reported from Abuja.
The violence followed a series of attacks reported in the neighbouring cities of Maiduguri and Potiskum
on Friday afternoon.

"There's that fear that something might possibly happen again," Ibrahim Bulama, a spokesman for the
Nigerian Red Cross, said.Security vehicles torched

News agencies, quoting officials, said after the attack on the building, armed men went through
Damaturu, blowing up a bank and attacking at least three police stations and five churches, leaving
behind their rubble.People began hesitantly leaving their homes on Saturday morning, after seeing the
destruction left behind, which included military and police vehicles burned by the armed men, with the
burned corpses of the drivers who died still in their seats.

Boko Haram wants the strict implementation of Islamic law across the nation of more than 160 million
people, which has a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim north.

Nii Akuetteh, a former executive director of Africa Action, a Washington-based rights group, said the
group appeared to be growing strong.

"The government has been saying that it will deal with them and that it will get a handle on the problem,
but it's not been able to," he told Al Jazeera.

"Previously, the attempt made was to try and fight them militarily - to send the secuirty forces after them -
but that has created its own problem.

"I know for a fact that there're Nigerian groups in and outside the government, including the media, who
are suggesting that the government should try to talk to Boko Haram. But my own impression is that they
don't seem to be particularly ready or inclined to talk."

Split into factions

The Associated Press news agency, quoting a diplomat, said the government was facing an increasingly
dangerous threat from Boko Haram, adding that the group had split into three factions, one allied with al-
Qaeda's North Africa branch.
It said one faction remains moderate and welcomes an end to the violence while another wants a peace
agreement with rewards similar to those offered to MEND, which has been fighting for a greater share of
Nigeria's oil wealth.

The attacks occured just before Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice, celebrated by Muslims around the
world.

Police elsewhere in Nigeria had warned of violence in the run-up to the celebration in the country that has
previously been rocked by religious violence.

Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's Christian president who took office amid religious and political rioting that
saw at least 800 die in April, cancelled a trip to his home state of Bayelsa for his younger brother's
wedding on Saturday.

His spokesman, Reuben Abati, said the president did not consider those who launched the attacks "true
Muslims," as the assault came during a holy period.

Abati also promised that "every step will be taken" to arrest those responsible - the same pledge made
again and again as Jonathan has visited other sites bombed by Boko Haram.

"The security agencies will tell you that what happens on this scale is even a fraction of what could have
happened considering the scope of the threat," Abati said.

"The security agencies are busy at work trying to make sure the will of the majority of the Nigerian
people is not subverted by a minority [group] with a suicidal streak."

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]
Nigeria: Unknown Gunmen Kill Police Official in Borno State

AFP20111107565006 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 07 Nov 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Police Inspector Killed on Sallah Day in Maiguguri"]

Some gunmen yesterday trailed a police inspector and killed him while on his way back from Eid prayer
ground in Maiduguri.

The killing took place amidst tight security mounted by members of the Joint Task Force following last
Friday's deadly attacks in the state capital.

The incident took place in the London Ciki area of Maiduguri metropolis around 10am when thousands of
worshippers were trooping back home from various Eid grounds.

Witnesses said the gunmen drove in an unmarked Honda 86 model salon car and intercepted the police
inspector who was driving in company of his friends and acquaintances.

"From the look of things, the gunmen know the deceased very well because though there are many people
moving along with him, they singled him out and shot at him severally before they fled," Baba Bay, a
resident of London Ciki said.

He said there was pandemonium at the scene of the killing and that the sound of gunshots soon attracted
the attention of members of the Joint Task Force who had intensified surveillance in the state capital.

"The JTF operatives pursued the assailants who had already raced away from the scene. They later
abandoned the car and disappeared through some narrow pathways," Mallam Gana, a friend of the
deceased said.
Borno State police commissioner Simeon Midenda confirmed that an inspector was killed but did not
reveal his name.

"Yes, we lost one of our officers. He was actually not on duty and he was in plain cloth when the gunmen
trailed and killed him while he was about reaching his house from the mosque," Midenda said.

"Apart from the killing of the inspector, there was no any other attack. The Sallah celebration was
generally peaceful because with the help of God, we have intensified surveillance," he said.

Gunmen ordered the family away, then shot the inspector to death, Midenda said. The sect members later
allowed his family to drive the car away, he said.

"Our men who live in the midst of the Boko Haram are not safe," Midenda said.

Meanwhile it was learnt yesterday that Professor Murtala Aliyu, the Provost of the Federal College of
Veterinary Research Institute, Vom in Plateau State was among the over the over 100 people that were
killed in Damaturu, Yobe State during the last Friday's serial attacks launched by members of the
Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram.

The brother of the deceased, Mahmud Aliyu, a lecturer at Modibo Adama University of Technology Yola
confirmed to our correspondent on phone yesterday that his brother was killed in Damaturu.

"The professor was on his way to Maiduguri to celebrate the Sallah with his family when he was caught
in the midst of the crises around 7pm in Damaturu," Mahmud said.

He said Late Professor Murtala Aliyu was on secondment in Vom. "He was a lecturer at the Department
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri before he went to Vom," he said.

Our correspondent reports that the commissioner of police in Yobe State Suleimon Mamman had earlier
confirmed that a professor was among the 53 people that were killed in Damaturu.

Meanwhile, members of the Boko Haram yesterday denied claims by the Yobe police boss that 7 suicide
bombers died in the multiple attacks in Damaturu.
Spokesman of the groupAbul-Qaqa who spoke on phone also denied the figures given by the spokesman
of the JTF in Borno State Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed that five suicide bombers also died in
the Friday's attacks in Maiduguri.

"We want to put the records straight. We only registered two martyrs in all the attacks we launched on
Friday. We lost only one person in Maiduguri. He was the one that bombed the JTF headquarters. The
other one was the martyr that bombed the two story building of the police in Damaturu," he said.

Abul-Qaqa added that their men had successfully hit all the areas they targeted. "It is not true that we lost
about twelve people on Friday," he said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Suicide Bombers Target Government Building, Banks

AFP20111107509002 Doha Al Jazeera English TV in English 06 Nov 11

[For a copy of the video, contact GSG_GVP_VideoOps@rccb.osis.gov or the OSC Customer Center at
(800) 205-8615. Selected video also available at OpenSource.gov.]

Al Jazeera English reports that the Islamist group Boko Haram attacked a government office in the town
of Damaturu, Nigeria. Also hit were the town's police station and two banks. Suleiman Lawal, police
commissioner of Damaturu, described the attacks as being perpetrated by suicide bombers in vehicles.

Click here to view the 1-minute 46-second report in .wmv format.

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera English TV in English -- International English-language news
service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the Qatari Government]

Al Jazeera.net: Who Are Nigeria's Boko Haram?

GMP20111107966041 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 1545 GMT 07 Nov 11

["Who Are Nigeria's Boko Haram?" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(Al Jazeera net) -

Nigeria has experienced one of its worst days of violence in two years. Churches, mosques, banks and
police stations were attacked as multiple bomb blasts rocked the city of Damaturu, killing at least 69
people, with some reports putting the number as high as 150. There were also separate bombings in the
town of Maiduguri, where at least four people were killed.And Nigeria's Islamist Boko Haram group,
which claimed responsibility for the attacks, has warned that more are planned.These attacks have fuelled
an already steep sectarian divide in Africa's most populous country, but who are Boko Haram and what
motivates their violence? How big a threat do they pose to the country's stability and why have they
decided to escalate their violence now?

Inside Story, with presenter James Bays, discusses with guests: David Zounmenou, a senior researcher
and specialist on Nigeria and West Africa for the Institute for Security Studies; Jonathan Offei-Ansah, the
editor of News Africa; and Anthony Goldman, the director of a political and business consultancy called
PM, who is also a former Nigeria analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit and the FT.
[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]

Nigeria: Gunmen Kill 2 in Kaduna Church

AFP20111108686004 Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English 07 Nov 11 p 3

[Unattributed report: "Two Church Members Shot Dead in Kaduna"]

Kaduna appears set again for violent ethno-religious war following the killing of two persons at the St.
Joseph Catholic Church in Tabak village, near Zonkwa, in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of the
state, at about midnight on Thursday.

Already, youths from the area yesterday embarked on a street protest and reportedly held Governor
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa hostage for about two hours, hurling missiles at him over what they described as
state of insecurity in the state. Yakowa was in the area, on condolence visit to about 11 other persons who
were injured during the attack and currently receiving treatment at the St. Louis General Hospital,
Zonkwa.

The state Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa, along with the General Officer Commanding [GOC],
one Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major-Gen. Joseph Shoboiki, and the state director of State
Security Services [SSS], Yomi Zamba, were also on Yakowa's entourage to the hospital.
Eyewitness accounts said that the gunmen attacked the church at about 11.45 pm on Thursday while the
congregation was holding a night vigil.

The development sent the entire community running for cover as report of alleged invasion of members
of the dreaded Boko Haram Muslim group spread. As at the time of this report last evening, there were no
reports of any arrest made but the Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer [PPRO],
Aminu Lawan, who confirmed the attack noted that investigation into the matter was in progress.

The governor pledged that government would take care of the hospital bill of those receiving treatment in
the hospital.

A press statement by Gov. Yakowa's spokesman, Reuben Buhari, said that, "the Governor visited St.
Louis Hospital, Zonkwa to sympathize with those affected in the current shooting incident in Tabak,
Zangon Kataf Local Government area where two people were killed and several injured. His Excellency
condemns in totality the unnecessary and reprehensible shooting. The governor also took time to interact
with youths of the area and listened to their complaints, advising them not to take the law into their hands.

"His Excellency views with dismay that some criminally-minded people are bent on creating unnecessary
tension within the state. His Excellency further appeals to all residents of Zonkwa in particular and
Kaduna State in general to shun any acts capable of shattering the peace that the state is currently
enjoying, while security agencies continue with investigation into the incident.

"People of the state are further enjoined to remain security conscious and report any suspicious
movements to security agencies. Furthermore, his Excellency has stated that the medical bills of those
currently in hospital will be taken care of by the state government."

Kaduna State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN] condemned the attack in a statement by
its Secretary, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu. According to him, "indeed, the trouble makers in Kaduna have taken
their senseless killings to the doorsteps of God, and this is very dangerous for us as a state. We are
worried that in spite of the heavy presence of soldiers in the area, this kind of attack can still be carried
out.

"Information reaching me from the local CAN in Zonkwa confirm that sophisticated rifles were used. We
call on the government of Kaduna State to ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act are fished out and
brought to book and we call on all Christians to be calm and prayerful in the face of this new dimension
of attack on the church."
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English -- Rivers State owned
daily]

Nigeria: Group Accuses Northerners as Sponsors of Islamic Sect

AFP20111108686003 Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English 07 Nov 11 p 9

[Report by Chidiebere Iwuoha: "Zoning Agitators Behind Boko Haram, Says Ijaw Group"]

The president of the Ijaw Youth Council [IYC] Worldwide, Mr. Miabiye Kuromiema, has alleged that the
agitators for zoning of the presidential slot in the ruling People’s Democratic Party [PDP] are behind the
dreaded Boko Haram sect. The sect, according to him, was the creation of the prime movers of the zoning
arrangement.

He stated that dialogue, to have the people’s constitution/true federalism, especially through the
convocation of a Sovereign National Conference [SNC], remained the only way out of the incessant
bombings and crises in the country.

Kuromiema, in a telephone interview yesterday, stated that President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw from
Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, inherited the security and economic crises,
which he said would not be solved overnight.

He alleged: "The zoning agitators are behind the bomb blasts and crises in the North, just to spite
President Jonathan. Quite unfortunately, the sponsors of Boko Haram have lost control of their boys.

"The Northerners, who were behind zoning, believe they were born to rule Nigeria forever and they are
creating the security challenge to cause confusion and to create the impression that a Southsouth person
cannot govern the country.

"The fundamental issues affecting Nigeria should urgently be addressed. There is need for true
federalism. The bomb blasts by Boko Haram show that we are yet to have a nation. Most of the
politicians are just pretending.

"Nigeria should move to a new political order by the people discussing. We may have the best of
economy, but we need to dialogue. We should go beyond attempts to eradicate poverty, which cannot be
achieved overnight.

"Until we sit down to discuss, thereby giving rise to the people’s constitution, we may not move forward
as a nation. We should stop pretending."

Arewa Youth Forum [AYF], the umbrella organisation of northern youths, has also condemned the
Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF] for discouraging dialogue with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, accusing
it of being responsible for the uprising. The youths, who are not happy with the romance between the
northern elders with the presidency, said that ACF was not in the position to assist the federal government
to solve the Boko Haram imbroglio and lambasted them for saying that the Islamic sect was a creation of
political thuggery. In a statement yesterday, AYF explained that ACF did not possess monopoly of
wisdom on how to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that "if Nigerian leadership acted well in
running the Nigerian state and nation, many challenges threatening or undermining national security
would have been overcome, which will have saved this country huge resources and innocent lives that are
being wasted daily".

The statement, signed by the national president of the forum, Gambo Gujungu, said that ACF could not
assist the federal government and security agencies as far as Boko Haram issue was concerned and argued
that ACF lacked moral standing to mediate on the issue because they have failed the North in all
ramifications. The youths were also not happy with the calibre of northerners in the cabinet of President
Goodluck Jonathan, saying, "In the history of the North since the return of democracy in 1999, this is the
worst scenario going by the president's choice of incompetent, mediocre and short-sighted northerners he
is to partner with in moving Nigeria forward.

"Alas, we may add, had Nigerian security agencies and government been proactive, many lingering
security challenges being experienced in the country would have been nipped in the bud right at infancy
level".

The statement said it was laughable that ACF could influence the 19 northern states to address critical
issues of abject poverty, cancerous religious and ethnic crises, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, almajiri
syndrome, illiteracy, unemployment and collapse of agriculture in the region, and wondered what they
could do about Boko Haram.

In a related development, the chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum and Governor of Niger state,
Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu yesterday lashed out at northern leaders for dragging their feet on the Boko
Haram security challenges in the region.

He said they cannot continue to double speak in their handling of issues by "saying one thing in the open
and doing acting differently in private"

The governor spoke just as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad also warned that the north
cannot afford to fall into another crisis before talking necessary measures to safeguard the integrity and
future of the region. He said the north must go beyond current efforts to address the underlying causes of
these violence and take practical steps to "cure the disease and to move forward", adding that "to secure
our future and forestall violence, crisis and conflicts we must create the space and opportunities for
people to realize their full potentials and aspirations".

The governor noted that Nigerians must decide whether they "are serious about lasting peace or merely
paying lip service to it while some of us continue to remain in our comfort zone as our society is
overtaken by violence, crime and extremism.
"There is no doubt that as traditional and political leaders, we have a great opportunity to make the much
needed difference. But we must remember that opportunity come with responsibility. We really need to
properly define lasting peace – could it be merely bringing about an end to violence and conflicts in our
communities and the nation or doing more".

The governor said further that "we have a responsibility to act decisively to conquer poverty, illiteracy,
ignorance, diseases and extremism of all forms before can genuinely hope to achieve desirable lasting
peace and stability.

"We cannot drag our feet any longer. We can’t continue to double speak in our handling of the issues,
saying one thing in the open and acting differently in private. We must categorically say no to the
recurring wave of bombing, terrorism and crime in our communities.

"But our responsibility does not end there. We need to go beyond that to address the underlying causes of
these symptoms, to take practical steps to cure the diseases and to move forward. To secure our future and
forestall violence, crisis and conflicts, we must create the space and opportunities for people to realize
their potentials and aspirations".

[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Telegraph in English -- Rivers State owned
daily]
Nigeria: Boko Haram Threatens More Attacks

AFP20111109606008 Lagos Vanguard in English 07 Nov 11 p 2

[Report by Rotimi Ajayi: "Expect more deadly attacks - Boko Haram"]

Islamic sect, Boko Haram has threatened to carry out more attacks, a day after a series of blasts and gun
battles claimed by the group killed more than 100 people in the country’s northeast, the Nigerian Red
Cross has said. Ibrahim Bulama, an official from the humanitarian organization, said on Sunday that the
death toll is expected to rise as local clinics and hospitals tabulate the casualty figures from Friday’s
attacks in Damaturu, the capital of rural Yobe state. A spokesman for the Islamist armed group, using the
name Abul-Qaqa, promised "more attacks are on the way", speaking hours after witnesses reported
"scenes of carnage."

The US Embassy in Nigeria has issued an emergency warning to its citizens living there that bomb
attacks could be possible at luxury hotels in the capital Abuja. Boko Haram, which means "Western
education is sacrilege," has claimed responsibility for previous attacks and the latest was the deadliest
since the group attacked a UN building in Abuja in August, killing at least 20 people. We will continue
attacking federal government formations until security forces stop their excesses on our members and
vulnerable civilians," Abul-Qaqa said in an interview with the Daily Trust, the newspaper of record across
Nigeria’s Muslim north.

Suleimon Lawal, the police commissioner of Damaturu, told Al Jazeera a suicide bomber drove a vehicle
apparently laden with explosives into a building housing the anti-terrorist court. Lawal said the attack
killed 53 people but he did not disclose how many among the casualties were security officials."The
explosives rocked the building and there were casualties. Two of them [suicide bombers] perished in the
bomb," he said. Lawal insisted the group was not gaining an upper hand and vowed that it would be
crushed.

"My strategy is a security strategy [that] I cannot disclose on air. So as they’re not [Boko Haram]
disclosing their security strategy, I don’t think it is safe for me to tell the whole world what I am doing,"
he said. The violence followed a series of attacks reported in the neighboring cities of Maiduguri and
Potiskum on Friday afternoon. "There’s that fear that something might possibly happen again," Ibrahim
Bulama, a spokesman for the Nigerian Red Cross, said.
Security vehicles torched

News agencies, quoting officials, said after the attack on the building, armed men went through
Damaturu, blowing up a bank and attacking at least three police stations and five churches, leaving
behind their rubble. People began hesitantly leaving their homes on 5 November morning, after seeing the
destruction left behind, which included military and police vehicles burned by the armed men, with the
burned corpses of the drivers who died still in their seats.

Boko Haram wants the strict implementation of Islamic law across the nation of more than 160 million
people, which has a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim north. Nii Akuetteh, a former executive
director of Africa Action, a Washington-based rights group, said the group appeared to be growing
strong. "The government has been saying that it will deal with them and that it will get a handle on the
problem, but it’s not been able to," he told Al Jazeera.

"Previously, the attempt made was to try and fight them militarily – to send the security forces after them
– but that has created its own problem. "I know for a fact that there’re Nigerian groups in and outside the
government, including the media, who are suggesting that the government should try to talk to Boko
Haram. But my own impression is that they don’t seem to be particularly ready or inclined to talk."

Split into factions

The AP news agency, quoting a diplomat, said the government was facing an increasingly dangerous
threat from Boko Haram, adding that the group had split into three factions, one allied with al-Qaeda’s
North Africa branch. It said one faction remains moderate and welcomes an end to the violence while
another wants a peace agreement with rewards similar to those offered to MEND, which has been fighting
for a greater share of Nigeria’s oil wealth. The attacks occurred just before id al-Adha, or the feast of
sacrifice, celebrated by Muslims around the world.

Police elsewhere in Nigeria had warned of violence in the run-up to the celebration in the country that has
previously been rocked by religious violence. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s Christian president who took
office amid religious and political rioting that saw at least 800 die in April, cancelled a trip to his home
state of Bayelsa for his younger brother’s wedding on 7 November. His spokesman, Reuben Abati, said
the president did not consider those who launched the attacks "true Muslims," as the assault came during
a holy period. Abati also promised that "every step will be taken" to arrest those responsible – the same
pledge made again and again as Jonathan has visited other sites bombed by Boko Haram.

"The security agencies will tell you that what happens on this scale is even a fraction of what could have
happened considering the scope of the threat," Abati said. "The security agencies are busy at work trying
to make sure the will of the majority of the Nigerian people is not subverted by a minority [group] with a
suicidal streak."

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Isaac Olawale, a researcher for Oxford University Centre for Research on
Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity, says: "The present attempt to deal with the problem using
confrontational strategies will not work. There is poverty all over the country and an increased number of
Nigerians are jumping into the warm embrace of ethnic, chauvinist and religious fundamentalism. Boko
Haram expresses some of the social upheavals we are witnessing in Nigeria."

[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard in English -- Independent widely read daily]

Nigerian Rights Group Says Islamic Sect Killed 5,000 Minorities in North

AFP20111109497005 Dakar PANA Online in English 08 Nov 11

[Unattributed report: Boko Haram Death Toll Put at 5,000]

The Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram has killed 5,000 people, mostly ethnic and religious minorities
in the predominantly-Muslim north, according to Nigerian rights group Human Rights Writers
Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).

HURIWA said in a statement that Boko Haram was carrying out ''selective genocide'' and challenged the
UN and the Federal Government to act urgently to protect northern minorities

It said the attacks had also destroyed ''religious and habitable structures'' of the minority Christians and
hundreds of thousands of ethnic and religious minorities forced to abandon their traditional homes.
HURIWA expressed regret that the federal government and concerned state governments had done
nothing to bring perpetrators of the "dastardly acts of brutality, bestiality and mass killings."

[Description of Source: Dakar PANA Online in English -- Website of the independent news agency with
material from correspondents and news agencies throughout Africa; URL:
http://www.panapress.com/english/index.htm]

Nigeria: Northern Group Calls On Government To Hold Dialogue With Islamic Sect

AFP20111109565015 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 09 Nov 11

[Report by Isa Sa'idu: "ACF Urges Boko Haram To Sheath Swords"]

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday pleaded with members of the Boko Haram to sheath
their swords and take the path of peace.

The Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Anthony Sani, who made the call in statement yesterday said, "The
ACF wishes to appeal to the religious group to sheath their swords. This is because wars and ethno-
religious violence have never brought any good. Only constructive dialogue brings about genuine
reconciliation.

To resort to endless killings of innocent people in the name of revenge or perceived injustice is against
God's injunction that we forgive each other as He forgives our transgressions. It is therefore the position
of ACF that the sect should embrace dialogue.
After all, in human affairs, there is a time to make compromise and there is time to let go for collective
good. Our great leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna, was not wrong when he said in 1952, that our
achievements were due to our ability to make compromises".

The ACF called on the Federal Government to engage the members of the Boko Haram in a constructive
and sincere dialogue in order to restore peace in Maiduguri and other parts of the North and the country in
general.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria: Northern Leaders Beg Islamic Sect over Killings

AFP20111109686007 Port Harcourt The Tide in English 09 Nov 11 p 6

[Unattributed report: "Northern Leaders Appeal to Boko Haram to Stop Bombings"]

The apex northern socio-cultural organization, the Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF], has appealed to
members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect to stop killings and embrace dialogue for the unity and peace of
the country. ACF said that war and ethno-religious carnage being perpetrated by the sect could not solve
injustice and that only dialogue could bring true reconciliation.

In a statement by the national publicity secretary of ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, the body called on the sect
members to forgive and forget injustices they are fighting against. It would be recalled that the Islamic
sect was involved in further bomb attacks and killings just before the Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Borno,
Yobe States and other parts of the north.

The ACF said: "As regards the threats of planned attacks on hotels and public places in Abuja by Boko
Haram and following warnings by the United States; ACF wishes to appeal to the religious group to
sheath their swords. This is because over the long history of the nation and humanity generally, wars and
ethno-religious violence have never brought about peaceful coexistence. Only constructive dialogue
brings about genuine reconciliations that go with genuine forgiveness. To resort to endless killings of
innocent people in the name of revenge of perceived injustice of the past ignores Gods injunction that we
forgive each other as He forgives our transgressions".

In an electronic mail by Sani and sent to journalists yesterday in Kaduna, the body said: It is therefore still
the position of ACF that the sect should embrace dialogue by shelving further violence. This would
address any perceived injustice and bring about peace for national interest and common good, it said.

Sani added: Afterall, in all human affairs, there is time to stay the course, there is time to make
compromises and there is time to let go for collective good. Our great leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the
Sardauna was not wrong when he once said way back in 1952 that our achievements were results of our
ability to make compromises and our capacity to make friends of former foes, we can still do so now.

And yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to the current violent uprising perpetuated by the
Boko Haram elements, even as American security think-tank, STRATFOR called for a military
clampdown on members of sect, which has been responsible for many bombing incidents in the country.

The Pope made the comments on the heels of Friday’s attacks in Yobe and Borno States, which left more
than 200 people dead. According to the Vatican Radio, "the attacks targeted churches, police stations and
military barracks. I am following with concern the tragic incidents that have occurred in recent days in
Nigeria. As I pray for the victims, I call for an end to all violence, which never solves problems, but only
increases them, sowing hatred and division even among believers, the Pope said.

Also speaking on the Rome-based radio station, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos Diocese, who is also
the Vice President of the Nigerian bishops’ conference, condemned the attacks, saying that the group
targets both Muslims and Christians.

They attack Christians and Muslims indiscriminately. Our police are Christians and Muslims, they are
even targeting other Muslim leaders. Boko Haram are not anti-Christian, they are anti-civil society,
Archbishop Kaigama told Vatican Radio.

He praised religious leaders of both faiths for working toward peace but also urged the federal
government to help eliminate violence through the education of young people. "Many of the young
people caught up in this extremist activity are illiterate; they have no education and no hope for the future.
The government must give them the tools to become a constructive and not destructive force for the good
of society, the archbishop said.

Bishop Oliver Doeme of Maiduguri said one of the churches affected was a Catholic church in Damaturu.
He said he talked to the parish priest, who did not say whether any of his parishioners were among those
killed. Bishop Doeme said the causes of the violence are social, economic, political and religious.

"In particular, there are some powerful people in our society who are losing their importance and use
religion to incite the minds of uneducated youth to sow violence", the bishop said. "In fact, these young
people are exploited by greedy politicians who are losing relevance and want to still remain in power to
continue to improve their finances". The bishop also spoke of a strong level of indoctrination based on the
belief that if one dies fighting for the cause, he will go to heaven.

Meanwhile, American security think tank, STRATFOR has called for a military clampdown on members
of Boko Haram sect which have been responsible for many bombing incidents in the country. Mark
Shroeder, the outfits head, said other options will render President Jonathan powerless and will leave him
open to attacks from his political adversary. For domestic political purposes, they do need to use a strong
hand and have the military do what they can up there.

If they do not, it is going to come back to Jonathan being seen as if he does not do that, his political
enemies are really going to throw down on him. , said Mark Schroeder, the director of the sub-Saharan
Africa unit for the U.S. security think tank.

The last major government attempt to eradicate Boko Haram in 2009 from this region at the crossroads of
Cameroon, Niger and Chad led to hundreds of deaths and wound up fueling the groups resurgence.

The military efforts to rein in the fighters this year also have prompted complaints of brutality and civilian
deaths. A Kenyan-based analyst for the International Crisis group, however disagreed with Shroeder as
she said the governments clampdown on the Islamic fundamentalists will only exacerbate the situation.

"The government has increased its military presence in northern states and the capital and its clamping
down, but this has also fueled tensions and I think the government needs to review its own actions to
ensure its not exacerbating the situation any further, said Comfort Ero, a Kenya-based analyst for the
International Crisis Group. Ero also added that the Nigerian government is left responding to attacks
rather than preventing them.
[Description of Source: Port Harcourt The Tide in English -- Daily owned by the Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation]

Nigeria Presidency Reportedly To Release List of Islamic Sect's Alleged Sponsors

AFP20111110565008 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 10 Nov 11

[Report by Taiwo Adisa and Hassan Ibrahim: "Boko Haram: FG To Publish Names of Sponsors; NLC
Accuses US of Complicating Nigeria's Security Challenges"]

The presidency appears to have given the nod to investigators and security operatives to release the list of
possible sponsors of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, which unleashed violence in the northeastern states of
Borno and Yobe last week.

No fewer than 100 persons were mowed down in separate but related attacks by the sect in Maiduguri and
Damaturu last week.

It was, however, gathered that the government, which got details of the operations of the sect and some
alleged financiers in August, had kept the list to itself up till now.

Initially, a source said that the list was meant to be used for the political resolution of the crisis but
sources told the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday that the new thinking favoured the release of the names
of alleged sponsors.

Sources had confirmed that the cash transfer system perfected by the group had kept the financial
transactions secret for a long time until some operatives made a breakthrough recently.
A source confirmed that the arrest of a chieftain of the sect in Minna, Niger State, led to some discoveries
and breakthrough about the sect's financial.

While security operatives were studying the details recovered from the Lagos-based Boko Haram
kingpin, who was arrested in Minna in August, it was gathered that some recovered documents also
pointed the finger at some bigwigs in the polity as allegedly sponsoring certain activities of the sect.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that the government appeared to have concluded on the need to release
the names of those indicted so far, while some of them could be secretly interrogated.

"We are getting signals indicating that certain so-called big masquerades who are said to be backing the
Boko Haram sect would be unveiled soon. The names were originally compiled after the raid on the home
of a sect leader in Minna, who poses as a businessman in Lagos. What the government has avoided is a
situation where it would be seen as orchestrating a crackdown on certain categories of Nigerians."

It was also gathered that the decision by the sect to strike in Maiduguri and Yobe was as a result of
apparent inactivity on the planned talks between it and the Federal Government.

The Federal Government had received the report of its committee, which looked into disturbances in the
North-East two months ago.

The committee had recommended talks between the government and aggrieved groups. While some
factors in the sect were said to be disposed to talking with the government, a section of the Boko Haram
was said to be in favour of continued attacks.

But a source said though the division in the group had led to some sort of discordant tunes, more than two
thirds of its members were actually looking forward to holding peace talks with the government.

The source said prolonged delay in bringing the willing sect members to the table apparently led to the
renewed attacks.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, accused the United States of
complicating the security challenges currently facing the Nigerian government.
The NLC said the recent warning issued by the US Embassy about impending attacks by the Boko Haram
had further created fear and heightened the tension in the country.

Its vice-president, Alhaji Issa Aremu, in a statement in Kaduna, said rather than aggravating the current
security situation in Nigeria, the US should have offered the country creative and constructive suggestions
on how to effectively tackle the worsening insecurity.

Aremu, therefore, enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that it took effective security measures that
would forestall the realisation of the prediction of the US that Nigeria would disintegrate by 2015.

He also enjoined Nigerian leaders to ensure the provision of good governance.

"The reported warning by the United States Mission in the country about impending attacks in three
luxury hotels in Abuja, namely Transcorp Hilton, NICON and Sheraton, ostensibly for its citiz ens, is
completely unhelpful, scary and unacceptable to all Nigerians.

"Any further scare about Nigeria's security challenge is one scare too addictive and too unhelpful. What
will be refreshingly new and healing for Nigerians (and particularly from the friends of Nigeria, including
America) are creative constructive suggestions and ideas on how to put an end to the security challenges,"
he said.

The NLC boss said the warning statement was certainly not refreshing to Nigerians, but, on the contrary,
complicated the security challenges for a country striving to cope with the challenges of development.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
Nigeria: Police Confirm Arrests of Some Suspects Involved in Yobe State Bombing

AFP20111110565014 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 10 Nov 11

[Report by Hamza Idris and Kabiru Matazu: "Yobe Bombings: Police Move Boko Haram Suspects to
Abuja"]

Yobe State Police Commissioner Suleimon Lawal yesterday confirmed that some suspects have been
arrested in connection with the Friday, November 4 bombing of police and federal government
formations in Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State. He said all the suspects have been been transferred
to Abuja.

The confirmation came in the wake of complaints from residents of "Jerusalem", a Christian dominated
area in Damaturu over poor security arrangement in the area.

However, a top military source who spoke in confidence said "many soldiers" have been deployed to
Damaturu from the 241 Reece Battalion in Nguru.

"We have sent more soldiers in order to increase the number of security personnel in the state capital," the
source said.

The police commissioner who said people should stop panicking added: "The combined efforts of the
Police, Army and State Security Service (SSS) have yielded positive result that led to the arrest of some
members of the Boko Haram that carried out multiple attacks in this (Yobe) state.

"We picked them in their hideout in Gujba and have completed our investigation. We have taken the
suspects to Abuja for further interrogation. Whoever wants more details on what we have done should
contact the Force Headquarters," the commissioner said even as he declined to mention how many
suspects were arrested.

Our correspondent who visited 'Jerusalem' yesterday reports that most of the residents have moved away
to more secured places.
"We are not fleeing out of the state because nobody can tell what will happen in any other part of the
country. We are only moving to safer locations," Jerimiah Saleh, who moved to Nassarawa area of the
metropolis, said.

"We would definitely come back to Jerusalem when adequate security arrangements are completed," he
said.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Garba Idi told Daily Trust that officials of
the association had in a meeting in Damaturu yesterday noted that they were not comfortable with the
security arrangement in Jerusalem, the area that is dominated by Christians. "We are calling on all
Christians in the state to be calm," he said.

Few shops opened for business in Damaturu yesterday while many civil servants who travelled out to
their villages are yet to return as few people were seen at the state and federal secretariats.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Suspected Islamists Attack Police Post, Govt Office in Northeastern Nigeria

AFP20111110309011 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1344 GMT 10 Nov 11

["Suspected Islamists attack Nigerian police post, govt office" -- AFP Headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Nov 10, 2011 (AFP) - Suspected Islamists have attacked a police station and
government office in northeastern Nigeria, destroying both buildings, but authorities denied a resident's
claim of police casualties.
Suspected members of the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram on Wednesday night stormed the village
of Mainok, some 75 kilometres from the city of Damaturu, which was hit by coordinated attacks last
week that left some 150 dead.

"It's true there were attacks on a police outpost in Mainok village," said Simeon Midenda, police
commissioner for Borno state, where Mainok is located.

"It was burnt down by the attackers suspected to be members of Boko Haram, but there were no casualties
because that particular outpost was shut down long ago and the policemen there were redeployed to
Maiduguri."

A resident however told AFP that about 20 gunmen attacked the police station, throwing explosives
inside, before moving on to a federal road safety office, which was also destroyed along with vehicles
parked there.

"They killed four policemen and freed suspects from cells and carted away guns and ammunition from the
police station," the resident said.

A federal road safety official for Borno state confirmed that the office was hit.

"Our office in Mainok was attacked by gunmen and burnt down," said James Christopher. "None of my
men there were affected but one of our operation vehicles was also burnt in the attack."

Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of attacks in Nigeria, including the August bombing of UN
headquarters in the capital Abuja that killed 24 people.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Army Official Says Islamist Sect Increasing Links With Global Jihadists

AFP20111111598024 Lagos Business Day Online in English 2300 GMT 10 Nov 11

[Unattributed report: "Nigeria Islamists Joining With Global Jihadists - Army"]

A violent Islamist sect responsible for scores of killings in northeast Nigeria is increasingly linking up
with global jihadist movements like al Qaeda, a military commander in the area told Reuters on Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed, a senior military official in the Joint Military Task Force (JTF),
was speaking at a government house at the end of dusty track in Maiduguri, the heartland of the Boko
Haram insurgency.

"Boko Haram is al Qaeda," he said.

"I see perfect links. It cuts across boundaries. Al Qaeda has no boundary, Boko Haram has no boundary.
All terrorists, one problem," said Mohammed, dressed in camouflage and flanked by armed soldiers.

Many analysts and Nigerians doubt the extent to which Boko Haram has global ambitions -- the group's
avowed aim is to introduce Sharia across Nigeria -- but it seems to be growing in sophistication and it is
thought they have made contact with al Qaeda's north African affiliate.

They are becoming a growing security headache for president Goodluck Jonathan, who on Thursday tried
to assure investors at an economic summit in the capital it would be short lived.

"Anybody who doesn't want to come and invest in Nigeria now because of these incidents of Boko Haram
will really regret it because this is very temporary," he said.
The sect claimed responsibility for multiple gun and bomb attacks that killed 65 people in and around the
city of Damaturu on Friday in its deadliest attack yet, which left bodies littering the streets and reduced
police stations, churches and mosques to smouldering rubble.

The attacks followed multiple bomb blasts earlier the same day in nearby Maiduguri, including a triple
suicide bombing of a military headquarters and three roadside bombs, all shortly after Friday prayers,
according to the military.

Mohammed said he had unconfirmed reports two suicide bombers involved in Friday's attacks were
trained in Afghanistan.

Nigeria's remote northeast, on the threshold of the rocky Sahel, borders several other African countries,
including Cameroon, Chad and Niger, the latter having its own problems with the Sahara-based al Qaeda
in the Islamic Magreb.

Mohammed suggested these porous borders were making it easy for militants on either side to move in
and out of Maiduguri, a rubble-strewn city of boarded-up shops and soldiers gripping Ak-47s nervously
behind sandbagged sniper positions.

The city suffers frequent shootings and bombings usually targeting religious and authority figures or
police.

"Maiduguri has been a harbour for people from Chad, from Niger, from Cameroon. Now... the people
they have invited have now become a source of terror," he said, agitatedly, declining to sit down during
the whole interview.

Nigeria's police said on Tuesday they had arrested some suspected militants behind Friday's violence, and
last week were searching door to door for weapons.

"I can tell you many people have been co-operating with us and we have collected many arms,"
Mohammed said, as two soldiers kept guard. "Maiduguri is no longer a safe haven."

Nigerian security forces have been criticised for failing to prevent attacks, but Mohammed insisted the
military was "on top of the situation".
Efforts to fight Boko Haram in the past have achieved little and heavy-handed police tactics in the
northeast have radicalised youths against the state.

"I must admit the sometimes men exhibit some excesses, but... We have handed over people to the police
who will be prosecuted," Mohammed said.

In a sign the insurgency has spread beyond the northeast, a bomb attack on the Nigeria headquarters of
the United Nations in the capital Abuja in August killed 26 people. Security experts said it bore the hall
marks of an al Qaeda-style strike.

[Description of Source: Lagos Business Day Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
Nigerian online business news portal; URL: http://www.businessdayonline.com]

Nigeria: Clash Between Police, Islamist Group Claims 42 Lives in Bauchi State

AFP20090727583010 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 26 Jul 09

[Report by Theophilus Remi: "Scores Killed in Police, Fundamentalists' Clash Govt Declares 9pm - 6am
CurfewOnovo Ordered To Restore Law and Order"]

Scores of people were killed yesterday in Bauchi in a gun duel between security forces and a radical
Islamist group, Boko Haram. The clash, which... dislodged many from their homes, came less than six
months after a sectarian battle between Muslims and Christians claimed at least four lives.

Dozens of people, who attacked the Dutsen Tanshi Police Station in Bauchi, the state capital, were
repelled and many seized by the anti-riot policemen deployed to keep the peace.
Many resident-settlers have fled to army barracks for fear that the crisis might again turn sectarian.

Bauchi police spokesman, Mohammed Barau, said the militants belonged to Boko Haram, a group
seeking the imposition of sharia law across the country.

Islamic law has been in operation in the state since 2001.

A nurse in a government hospital, Awwal Isa, alleged that as many as 42 people were killed in yesterday's
clash.

One of the dead was a soldier, according to the nurse. Scores of people were also reported to have been
injured.

The police spokesman said the situation had been brought under control and that members of the gang
were being detained.

One gang member, who gave his name as Abdullah, said yesterday's attack on the police barracks was a
reprisal.

He said the group had retaliated because authorities had been arresting its leaders.

The man was also quoted as saying that the group wanted to "clean the (Nigerian) system which is
polluted by Western education and uphold sharia all over the country."

Investigation by the Nigerian Compass revealed that the notorious fundamentalists had in the past created
panic in the state.

They had questioned the rationale behind the introduction of compulsory education in the state, saying the
people should be given freedom to choose and practice their religion the way they dim fit.

For months, the Malam Isa Yuguda-led administration had been preventing them from demonstrating
publicly to avoid a total breakdown of law and order.
Reports said that the fundamentalists had in their hundreds trooped to the police station in the early hours
of yesterday, chasing away the few officers on duty.

They destroyed everything in sight, except the armoury, which was secured when they struck.

The fleeing policemen had made a distress call to the command headquarters from where a reinforcement
was dispatched to dislodge the rampaging fundamentalists.

Infuriated by the rioters' action, the combined military and police patrol teams went round the villages
within the Bauchi neighbourhood to rout the fundamentalist's from their camps.

The police spokesman, who confirmed the arrests of more than 100 of them, also informed that the
Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, has ordered the acting Inspector-General of Police
(IGP), Ogbonnaya Onovo, to ensure peace and security of lives and properties of innocent citizens across
the country.

According to him, the minister stressed the Federal Government's commitment to freedom of religion and
that it would not allow the fundamentalists to cause a breach of the law in any part of the country.

Many people condemned the act in strong term, saying it is wrong for any one to attack the police whose
duty is to protect lives and properties.

The Director of Press Affairs to the Governor, Mohammed Maigari Khanna, and other top government
functionaries were seen at the Police Command Headquarters, yesterday.

Meanwhile, the state government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the state.

It will run from 9pm to 6am during which security agents are to maintain law and order.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]
Report Says Federal Government Panics as Boko Haram Changes Gear, Splits Into Three

AFP20111112619003 Lagos National Daily in English 07 Nov 11 - 14 Nov 11 1, 10

[Report by Olutayo Olubi: Panic in Aso Rock as Boko Haram changes gear"]

There was much disquiet at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja at the weekend when the report got to the
presidency that the notorious Islamic sect, Boko Haram had carried out another wave of terror attacks in
some states in the North, to wit: Kaduna, Borno, and Yobe.

The attacks, according to sources in Aso Rock, caught President Goodluck Jonathan unawares in view
of the fact that the weekend falls within the Holy period of Ramadan during which Muslims celebrate the
Ed-El-Kabir festival. The enormity of the well-coordinated attacks forced the President to cancel a trip to
Bayelsa State for his younger brother's wedding last Saturday.

Aso Rock insiders confided that President Jonathan was "greatly disturbed" by the attack and said that
his government was working hard to bring those "determined to derail peace and stability in the country
to book." He also ordered security beef up in Kaduna, Borno, and Yobe States.

Massive attacks

The targets of last week's attacks were the headquarters of the Joint Military Task Force [JTF]
Operation Restore Hope, Maiduguri, which was set up to contain the activities of the Boko Haram; the El-
Kanemi Theological College, Maiduguri; the headquarters of the Police Anti-Terrorism Squad, and that
of the Yobe State Police Command, both in Damaturu.
 The police gave the casualty figure as 53 including 11 policemen, two soldiers, two Federal Road
Safety Corps [FRSC], and one each from the Immigration and Customs.

However, the Nigerian Red Cross put the figure at 65 and the Jamatu Nasir Islamiyya gave their figures
as 93. Even at the figure of 53 given by the police, this is the highest number of people killed in a single
attack by the sect.

The State Police Command headquarters, State Anti-Terrorism Squad, the offices of Immigration and
Customs Departments, and the FRSC were attacked by the rampaging gunmen. They did not spare the
First Bank and United Bank for Africa branches in the town. The Federal Government Secretariat in the
town was also burnt.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Police Command, Mr. Simeon Midenda said that one of the
bombs went off around noon outside the El-Kanemi Theological College where parents had gathered.
Midenda said that others had gone off inside the college during the Jumat at a mosque there.

The casualty figure was not immediately known, but unconfirmed reports said that about six people
were injured while those who targeted the military base were killed as the bomb went off.

The JTF spokesman, Lt Col Hassan Mohammed, confirmed the attack on the headquarters of the force.
He explained that some suicide bombers driving in a Jeep attempted to gain entry into the base but were
prevented by the soldiers at the gate who ensured that they moved away to about 15 meters from the gate
and in apparent frustration, detonated the bombs killing themselves in the process. He said that no soldier
was killed and also confirmed the other explosions in the town.

Another explosion occurred in Old Maiduguri, Bulukutu area and in Gomari Area on Jos Road. Though
nobody has claimed responsibility, it is strongly suspected that the bomb attacks were carried out by the
Boko Haram sect.

Graphic details

The Damaturu siege began at about 5.30 pm last Friday and lasted about 90 minutes. An unnamed local
government official in Damaturu was quoted as saying that hundreds of wounded people were being
treated in hospitals.
 Gunmen then engaged in running battles with security forces after invading police stations and shooting
indiscriminately. Business activities were abruptly stopped as people ran for their lives.

A Roman Catholic parish priest said that his church had been burnt down and that eight other churches
were also attacked. He described gangs of young men roaming the streets throwing improvised bombs
into the churches.

A Damaturu resident, Mamman Mohammed said: "We are all indoors while the fighting is going on.
Damaturu and Potiskum my home town are under siege. The Boko Haram sect has taken over the towns
and the security men are battling them. No one is safe."

A lawyer who visited the Damaturu General Hospital looking for a missing friend said that he counted
60 bodies in the morgue.

"I have seen 60 dead bodies in the hospital all brought in yesterday from the attacks, I am here to look
for my friend who didn't return home." He said that anxious relatives were flocking to the hospital in
search of loved ones.

Also, six bombs went off in different parts of the town the main targets being the 360 Housing Estate,
the Anti-Terrorism Squad office and the Police headquarters.

At least, one church - St Mary's Catholic Church was burnt by the rampaging men. The parish priest
was reportedly taking refuge at a police station. Gun shots shook the town for much of last night forcing
residents to stay indoors.

The violence destroyed federal offices, public buildings, and an immigration office, said Aliyu Baffale
Sambo, an official with Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency.

Bulama said that the Nigerian Red Cross statistics showed at least 63 people died in and around
Damaturu. Sambo said that government estimates suggested that as many as 70 people could been dead
there.

Only on last Thursday, a day before the blasts, the military announced that its men had, in a house to
house search, seized about 5,000 assorted arms and ammunition in Maiduguri.
 Most of the arms and ammunition were recovered from members of the public who gave them up
voluntarily in view of the October 31, deadline set by the JTF for the public to surrender any weapon in
their custody.

Apart from those seized, there were others allegedly dropped at refuse dumps at some locations in the
Maiduguri metropolis by unknown people. Some of the arms, in particular, AK47 rifles were said to have
been recovered from refuse dumps along Baga Road and Abaganaram Housing Estate and Jajeri ward.

Lt Col. Mohammed said that the house-to-house search would continue in Maiduguri and appealed to
members of the public to support the task force to bring peace to the weary state. He also revealed that
Boko Haram had on Thursday shot and killed a soldier guarding a market.

Churches under siege

In Kaduna, many Muslim faithful remained indoor as they celebrated the Ed-El-Kabir festival amidst
tension and fear of a reprisal attack following the two succession of attacks by unknown men in a church
at Tabak Village, near Zonkwa town in Zangon Kataf local government area of the state.

It will be recalled that unknown gunmen struck twice in two separate churches in Tabak village, near
Zonkwa town in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State even as church service was on at
about 11.45pm the last Thursday.

The gunmen who were said to have arrived Saint Joseph Catholic Church in the area while worshipers
were holding night vigil prayers, succeeded in killing two persons and injuring 11.According to an eye
witness, the injured ones are currently receiving medical attention at Saint Louis general hospital,
Zonkwa.

As if that was not enough, the following day, another church was attacked, leaving one person dead and
several others injured. Since after the attack, tension and fears have gripped the entire state as people are
scared of either reprisal attacks from the other religious sect or more attacks from the suspected Boko
Haram sect.

The State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, who visited the scene of the incident was said to have
been prevented by the protesting youth of the area from visiting the victims admitted at Saint Loius
general hospital, Zonkwa.
 He was said to have been held hostage for about an hour before he was finally allowed to enter the
hospital wards in company of the State commissioner of police, Ballah Nassarawa, the General Officer
Commanding, one Division of the Nigeria Army, Kaduna, Major General Joseph Shoboiki as well as the
Director of the State Security Services, Yomi Zamba.

The rampaging youth were said to have used the opportunity to register their alleged dissatisfaction
with the security outfit of Yakowa's administration popularly known as Operation Yaki for their inability
to protect lives and property in the area, even as unconfirmed report said that the angry youth pelted the
Governor's convoy with pebbles.

The Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Lawan confirmed the attack,
saying, "I got a report that two people were killed in the attack but I don't know how many people were
injured. We are still gathering more facts."

A statement issued by Reuben Buhari, the media spokesperson to Governor Yakowa said that the
governor visited St. Louise Hospital, Zonkwa to sympathize with those affected in the current shooting
incident in Tabak, Zangon Kataf local council where two people were killed and several injured.

"His Excellency condemns in totality the unnecessary and reprehensible shooting. The governor also
took time to interact with youths of the area and listened to their complain advising them not to take the
law into their hands.

His Excellency views with dismay that some criminally-minded people are bent on creating
unnecessary tension within the state.

His Excellency further appeals to all residents of Zonkwa in particular and Kaduna State in general to
shun any act capable of shattering the peace that the state is currently enjoying, while security agencies
continue with investigation into the incident.

People of the state are further enjoined to remain security conscious and report any suspicious
movement to security agencies.

Furthermore, his Excellency has stated that the medical bills of those currently in hospital will be taken
care of by the state government," the statement said.
 In the meantime, Kaduna State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN] has condemned the
incident in its entirety. The secretary of the Kaduna State CAN, Reverend Yunusa Nmadu in a statement
said, "Kaduna State CAN condemns in an equivocal manner the attack on innocent Christian worshippers
in the church.

Indeed, the trouble makers of Kaduna have taken their senseless killings to the doorsteps of God and
this is very dangerous for us as a State. We are worried that in spite of the heavy presence of soldiers in
the area, this kind of attack can still be carried out.

Information reaching me from the local CAN in Zonkwa confirms that sophisticated rifles were used.
We call on the government of Kaduna State to ensure that the perpetrators of this evil acts are fished out
and brought to book.

We call on all Christians to be calm and prayerful in the face of this new dimension of attack on the
Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Zonkwa."

It would be recalled that about a fortnight ago, some unknown gunmen had attacked a police station and
a bank in Saminaka town in Lere local government area of the State as well as another attack on Fadiya
village, killing two persons about a month ago in the same Zango Kataf local government area of the
State, all in the southern part of the State.

Meanwhile, information reaching National Daily disclosed that 20,000 security operatives have been
dispatched to Kaduna State to check possible breakdown of law and order in the state during the festival.

The Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks in Borno and Yobe States, with the worst
damage done in and around the city of Damaturu. The group also promised to continue its bloody
sectarian fight against Nigeria's weak central government. Residents are therefore, nervously moving
through empty streets, waiting for the next attack.

Presidency dismayed

President Goodluck Jonathan stated through his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben
Abati that he did not consider those who launched the attacks "true Muslims," as the assault came during
a holy period.
 Abati also promised that "every step will be taken" to arrest those responsible, the same pledge made
again and again as Jonathan has visited other sites bombed by the Boko Haram sect.

"The security agencies will tell you that what happens on this scale is even a fraction of what could
have happened considering the scope of the threat," Abati said. "The security agencies are busy at work
trying to make sure the will of the majority of the Nigerian people is not subverted by a minority group
with a suicidal streak."

However, the Nigerian government faces an increasingly dangerous threat from the Boko Haram sect.
The group apparently has split into three factions. One faction remains moderate and welcomes an end to
the violence, another wants a peace agreement with rewards similar to those offered to a different militant
group in 2009.

The third faction, though, refuses to negotiate and remains the most radical. This faction is in contact
with al-Qaida's North Africa branch and likely the Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab, a diplomat said
on condition of anonymity according to embassy orders.

The federal government under Jonathan has however reiterated its resolve to protect Nigerians and
punish those responsible for the pre-sallah killings in Kaduna, Borno, and Yobe states.

[Description of Source: Lagos National Daily in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Government Reportedly Monitoring Nigerians Returning From Libya

AFP20111114598021 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 14 Nov 11

[Report by Olawale Rasheed: "Boko Haram: FG Monitors Libyan Returnees"]

Following reports of a relationship between the Libyan civil war and the renewed attacks by Boko Haram
insurgents, the Federal Government has commenced discreet monitoring of Nigerians who recently
returned from the just concluded Libyan civil war.

Findings by the Nigerian Tribune showed that there are credible reports of some Nigerians of northern
origin who fought in support of the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, being involved with the Boko
Haram insurgency against the Nigerian state.

Reports indicated that these former mercenaries have been streaming into the country through the
northern borders with weapons of various kinds, a development said to have necessitated security
surveillance on Nigerians who just returned to the country from Libya.

While some Nigerians were officially repatriated by the Nigerian government, thousands more were said
to have made their way through southern Libya en route Niger Republic to enter northern Nigeria, where
they easily blend with their kith and kin.

This category of returnees was reportedly undocumented and is suspected of being easy recruits for the
insurgency against the Nigerian state in view of earlier pronouncement by the late Libyan leader that
Nigeria should be divided into Christian south and Muslim North.

A top security official in a northern city told the Nigerian Tribune that the intelligence officials were
already shadowing such returnees with a view to rounding up those suspected of carrying arms or
participating in the insurgency.

"We have the reports of such characters entering the country but we are monitoring the entire northern
axis. We are also linking up with our partners in Niger Republic through exchange of intelligence to
easily track such elements," the official said.

Speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, the official disclosed that the security service
personnel were already embedded in various segments of the border towns and villages, adding, "we are
monitoring the situation as we believe the insurgents are coming from neighbouring countries."
Special Forces

Meanwhile, it was learnt that special forces had been deployed to monitor thousands of illegal entrances
into the country in the northern regions as a way of stemming the porosity of the borders and alleged
entrance of religious militants.

A top administration source said the measure is to be in place until the completion of aerial and land
surveillance of the nation's northern borders through sophisticated technologies and instruments, noting
that the forces are to operate in commando like fashion with a view to hunting down extremists along the
border.

Security personnel involved in the operation are reportedly trained by the American anti-terrorism unit
while the operation is to be coordinated alongside similar special forces already in operation in such
countries as Niger, Mali, Mauritania and other Margreb nations.

It will be recalled that the American and the French had helped the Margreb countries to set up special
forces to fight the Al-qaeda in the Margreb to which the Nigerian sect, the Boko Haram, is allegedly
linked. Both the French and American government have offered to help Nigeria tame the islamist
insurgency.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Government Introduces New Measures To Tackle Islamic Sect

AFP20111115598017 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 15 Nov 11

[Report by Chris Agbambu: "Boko Haram Problem'll End Soon -FG"]

The Federal Government has declared that the Boko Haram menace will soon be over, as it has
introduced new measures to tackle the problem.

Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, who disclosed this on Monday while declaring open
the 2011 Defence Advisers/Attaches Annual Conference in Abuja, said that government approach had
been to apply physical security only as a catalyst for honest dialogue among genuine stakeholders and key
players.

The minister, who was represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, said that the
various efforts of government at finding a lasting solution to the increased attacks on innocent citizens
and security agents by the Boko Haram were a clear indication of the government's commitment to lasting
peace and security in the country that would foster national unity and progress.

According to him, "I am happy to inform you that the government is on top of the situation in the Boko
Haram issue. It is in these fundamental senses that the repositioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency
in meeting contemporary security environment becomes paramount and your input as defence advisers
and defence attaches in forecasting potential threats to our national security and cohesion is crucial to the
implementation of government policies."

The minister noted that the government believed in efficient information and intelligence that were
capable of predicting threats to the collective security and providing information of value to their
diplomatic and defence initiatives, including strategies for deterrence.

He said that the passing of the bill stipulating measures to combat terrorism by the lawmakers would
further ensure that perpetrators of evil in the society have no place to hide.

He declared that the Federal Government would do all that was required to continue to have an efficient,
reliable and proactive intelligence gathering system, hence it was proper that the Ministry of Defence's
basic strategy to realise its foreign and national security objectives was the development of a fully
committed crop of defence advisers, among others.
The minister reminded the defence advisers that their work was to support the political, economic and
diplomatic initiatives of the government, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that they were,
therefore, expected to maintain a healthy relationship with the ambassadors.

"You are required to cultivate international relationship between your countries of accreditation and
Nigeria, therefore, your integrity, honesty and reliability and that of your family must be very high, so
that the people would have confidence in you and your country," the minister said.

He admonished the defence advisers to evolve strategies to reposition the Defence Intelligence Agency in
meeting contemporary security environment, as this would be in pursuit of a strong, virile, proactive and
responsive security organ, for greater input in establishing lasting peace and stability in our country.

In his remark, the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major-General S.Y. Audu, said Nigeria had
experienced several security incidents which had necessitated the increased involvement of the Nigerian
Armed Forces in internal security operations.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Normalcy Returns to Yobe State Following Islamic Sect's Attacks

AFP20111115598019 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 15 Nov 11

[Report by Hamisu Kabir Matazu: "Damaturu Bombings: Yobe Govt Relaxes Curfew"]

The Yobe State Government has eased the 12-hour daily restriction it imposed on movement of people
following the recent Boko Haram attacks, as normality returns to the state.
A statement signed by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam's Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information,
Abdullahi Bego, said the governor, who returned from Saudi Arabia yesterday, approved that the
restriction on movement now starts from 10.00pm daily to 6.00 o'clock in the morning. Until now, public
movement was restricted between 7.00pm and 7.00am daily.

Bego's statement quoted Governor Gaidam as expressing his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the
families of those who lost loved ones and those who sustained injuries in the crisis.

He also said that the governor will address the state shortly. "While the governor will make a special
statement on the issue in the coming period, he appeals to members of the public to go about their normal
and lawful businesses and to continue to co-operate with security agencies," the statement said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Observer Urges Nigeria To Increase Intelligence Efforts To Tackle Islamic Sect

AFP20111117589008 Pretoria Institute for Security Studies in English 16 Nov 11

[Commentary by David Zounmenou and Arthur Chatora: "Nigeria Seeking an Effective Response to
Boko Haram"]

Nigeria's internal security remains extremely volatile following a spate of recent shootings, bombings and
suicide assaults in the country's northern cities of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital and in Maiduguri in
the Borno State. Almost every week, there are reports of attacks or threats putting the security agencies on
high alert. Fear of attacks have compelled the most populous country in Africa to hold a low profile
National Day in October 15. As the sect's capacity is growing, can the Federal Government be up to the
task of defeating it to save its economic transformation agenda and preserve peace in the country?

Linked to the Islamist group, Boko Haram (whose name literally translates to 'Western education is
forbidden'), the attacks resulted, according Nigerian media reports, in the killings of 136 people - the
deadliest in recent months. Some reports, however, allege the involvement of irredentist and even
criminal elements in the killings. Of the 136 people who died, 135 were reportedly male and one female,
while 17 others were injured. This latest wave of attacks has targeted police stations, banks, military
installations, and churches and mosques, reinforcing the impression that a mixture of political,
economical and religious agendas motivated the attackers.

A look at the government's responses shows that it has found it difficult to eradicate Boko Haram but
worryingly so, the group seems to be reinventing itself and its strategies. It has increasingly embraced
suicide bombing; a strategy that ensures concealed attacks to inflict casualties. The Nigerian government
has, so far, employed about seven different response mechanisms. The latest involves door-to-door
security searches for weapons, particularly, in the northeastern state of Borno. This initiative follows the
expiry on 31 October of the deadline for amnesty for those who would have surrendered their arms.
Previously, the government initiated the controversial proposal to grant amnesty to Boko Haram. When
the move did not work, it followed it up with another controversial attempt at negotiations.

The third move was to launch an inquiry into the group's support base and supposed links with Nigerian
political actors. Subsequently, the government engaged the services of former president, Olusegun
Obasanjo, in what turned out to be a failed mediation that resulted in the death of the Boko Haram
Leader, Babakura Baba Fugu, in a reprisal attack by other Boko Haram members. The fifth attempt
involved the deployment of approximately 20 000 military personnel across the country with a full
mandate to deal with the increasing security challenges around ethnic and religious violence, violent
crimes and terrorist activities.

The government then went further to set up of the Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the
North-East Zone, which submitted its report in late September. The committee found out, among others
that, the increasing violence was a result of weak governance and failure to deliver services to the people,
especially against the backdrop of huge resources accruing to government. The report also observed that
the security agencies had not been able to contain the violence because of palpable operational lapses,
rivalry, under-funding, under-equipment and lack of collaboration between the various security agencies.
In a pointer to the muddled nature of the situation, the Presidential Committee also observed that some
politicians and certain individuals contributed to the lingering violence by funding private militias, using
them and then sometimes dumping them. This created a problem because the groups were not only
trained but also had dangerous weapons. The Presidential Committee again proposed amnesty to
members of Boko Haram willing who surrender and a comprehensive socio-economic strategy to address
people's needs.

While the Nigerian government took up the amnesty proposal, it again raised controversy with some
arguing that it would not succeed due to the sect`s radical views. The expiry of t he government's amnesty
offer on October 30 is what led to the door-to-door security searches. Whether the door-to-door search
will offer a lasting solution is subject to debate. Judging from the incessant attacks, it appears the
Nigerian government has not yet found a clear answer to the radical violent militancy phenomenon.

Unfortunately, Nigerian politics has thrived on strong patronage networks and rampant corruption thus
making it difficult for the government to be speedily responsive to people's needs. A key question that
needs further and throughout investigation relates to the existing links between the Nigerian sect and Al-
Qaida. With U.S. and other intelligence sources suggesting that Boko Haram members have been trained
outside Nigeria and have connections with Al Qaeda`s North African wing, the Nigerian government will
need to move quickly to seize the moral and political legitimacy, especially in regions where young
people are willing to join insurgents for lack of better socio-economic opportunities. Hard evidence is not
yet available as to how consolidated are the external links of the sect but three indications could help
making sense of the foreign dimension of the sect's activities.

Firstly, the sophisticated tactics deployed by the group - suicide bombing and the weaponry could not
have been of domestic making. Also, attempts to hit transnational institutions could have the double
objective of extending to capacity of the group to attack beyond Maiduguri and perhaps beyond Nigeria
and attract international media attention. Secondly, with the downfall of Col. Muammar Gaddafi, a
significant amount of weapons have been unleashed in the Sahel. Some of these weapons could fall into
the wrong hands including the Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb whose members are likely to lend
support to Boko Haram fighting " the western infidels" . In the same vein, Kenya's assault against Al
Shabaab could have a collateral impact of dispersing them into the Sahel providing another source of
support for the irredentist groups challenging the security of the region.

Boko Haram should not be underestimated and its threat to take the fight southward needs to be dealt with
carefully. The danger here will not only be the deterioration of the precarious post-amnesty environment
in the Niger-Delta but also retaliation from Niger-Delta militants who are looking for an opportunity to
attack Boko Haram. President Goodluck Jonathan's mandate is clearly under threat and current security
challenges run the risk of distracting his administration from it economic transformation agenda.

Careful, balanced yet decisive actions are needed for him to defeat the scepticism about his ability to
ensure peace and security of citizens and protect Nigeria's territorial integrity.

A victory may not necessarily mean the destruction of the insurgent fighters but rather the winning of the
hearts and minds of the local population through the restoration of state authority. It calls for
comprehensive military, socio-economic, political and civic actions. The government will not only need
to increase its intelligence gathering and preventive measures, but also use local influential individuals to
pacify the groups and, much more importantly, address the local historical grievances that have produced
the " push" and " pull" factors.
[Description of Source: Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies in English -- Independent policy
research institute providing research and analysis of human security issues in Africa to policy makers,
area specialists, and advocacy groups. The think tank is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa with
offices in Kenya and Ethiopia; URL: http://www.iss.co.za]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Gives Conditions To Hold Dialogue With Government

AFP20111118598006 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 18 Nov 11

[Report by Hamza Idris: "Boko Haram Reiterates Condition for Dialogue"]

Members of the Boko Haram sect that has been carrying out bombing raids in the noth yesterday
reiterated that all their members who have been arrested must be released before they accept to take part
in any dialogue.

The group also revealed the identity of the two suicide bombers that attacked the Joint Task Force
headquarters (JTF) in Maiduguri and the Anti Terrorism two- storeys building in Damaturu, Yobe State
on November 4. Over 150 people including security men were killed in the two attacks.

Spokesman of the group Abul Qaqa who spoke to Daily Trust on phone called on President Goodluck
Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and
the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke to expedite action on the release of
all members of the sect.

"The recipe for peace is the unconditional release of our members. Let me repeat what I said: All our
members must be released before any attempt at going into negotiations. All the top men in the country
are sleeping in the comfort of their rooms and singing the songs of dialogue when our members are being
persecuted. This is unacceptable," Qaqa said.
He gave the identity of the man that bombed the anti terrorism building in Damaturu as Mohammed
Usman alias Baana. "We see him as an exceptional martyr because he was barely four days in our group
when he pleaded that we should allow him to carry out the act," Qaqa said.

"He used a Honda CRV jeep and that was the very day that he learned how to drive. He was a successful
businessman and left behind a wife and a son," Qaqa said.

Qaqa said 26-year-old Abi Yusuf was responsible for the bombing of the JTF headquarters in Maiduguri.
"He was also a martyr whom we are going to miss a lot because of his outstanding mastery of how to
improvise explosives," Qaqa said.

[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Algiers anti-terrorism forum expresses concern over AQLIM-Boko Haram ties

GMP20111118950017 Algiers El-Watan Online in French 0001 GMT 18 Nov 11

Excerpt from report by Salima Tlemcani headlined: "The relation between AQLIM and Boko Haram puts
the world on alert", published by privately-owned Algerian newspaper El Watan website on 18 November

The forum on the fight against terrorism, which ended yesterday [17 November] in Algiers had focused
the debate on the security and political challenges of the Sahel region: the connections between the armed
groups in several countries with the flood of Libyan arms.

The mass flow of arms from Libya and the proven connection between al-Qa'idah in the Land of Islamic
Maghreb (AQLIM), the Nigerian group, Boko Haram and the Somali Shabab disturb heavily the
international community to the extent that it has become a focus of all the security services of the great
powers. Thus, experts of the working group on the Sahel, linked to the Global Forum on Fighting Against
Terrorism (FGLCT) and those of the 30 countries that had established it expressed their "concern" about
the prevailing situation in the Sahel region, especially since a portion of the Libyan weapons came into
the hands of AQLIM.

This organization, which funds its activities through ransoms (paid in exchange for the hostages' release)
has just sounded the alarm after its alliance with the group Boko Haram of Nigeria, a country that weighs
heavily on the world oil market.

In the document issued by the FGLCT, it was noted that AQLIM "attempts to exploit the structural
weaknesses of some countries in the region in order to settle up by increasing its capacity to make
hostage-taking and carrying out attacks against the countries of the area". The FGLCT believes that the
threat is now affecting several countries in the area.

It cited the first circle, which consists of Mali, Niger, Mauritania and Algeria, followed by a second wider
circle, which consists of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal, Chad, Morocco and Nigeria. This is an axis
which may extend to Yemen and then continue its way to Afghanistan. The challenge is important. This
explains the awareness of the powerful of this world. But they know that the war against terrorism can not
be won only with the gun.

It must be accompanied by a struggle against underdevelopment, poverty, exclusion and denial of rights.
For this, the founding member states of the forum called for the promotion of regional and international
cooperation and the establishment of a mechanism that would allow the experts in the field to meet and
exchange experiences and information to better address their shortcomings and strengthen their capacity
of riposte.

[Passage omitted: the participants in the meeting of the Sahel group and the topics discussed].

"Britain supports the position of Algeria on the need to criminalize the payment of ransoms and supports
it strongly in its campaign", said the major general, Robin Searby, adviser to the British prime minister
for the fight against terrorism in North Africa and the Sahel.

Speaking on the sidelines of the first day of the technical workshop of the Sahel group on the
reinforcement of the riposte capacity, the official said that his country "calls along with Algeria at the UN
to ensure that the payment of ransom will be illegal. We are working to convince other countries to
accede to this proposal".
On his participation in the workshop, the major- general said: "We took part in this meeting to analyse the
terrorist threat, which the world is facing and discuss the aspects defined by the forum related to security
borders, the financing of terrorism and judicial cooperation. We have a very good expertise in the
financing of terrorism and we are cooperating with Algeria in this area."

Asked about the weapons that had left Libya, the official acknowledged that "there is a proliferation but,
he said, we do not know the quantity. This does not mean that we do not have good information. Only
time is need so that things become clear because some of the weapons were purchased illegally by the
regime of al-Qadhafi. Such thing makes it difficult to carry out any census or inventory of the stolen
weapons."

Deepen the capacity of all states in the fight against terrorism in the civilian frame. The goal is that the
services of justice, police, customs and all those which follow up the issue of financing terrorism, border
security must involve the civil society and communities in this action.

This was stated on Wednesday [16 November] by Rezzag Bara, inter- ministerial coordinator for the fight
against terrorism and adviser to the president of the republic on the sidelines of the proceedings of the
technical workshop on the Sahel.

He added: "We have always said that the military and security aspect in the fight is very important, but it
must be accompanied by the aspect of development, governance and the civilian capabilities of the states
to better respond to the threat and its evolution".

According to Rezzag Bara, "the situation in the Sahel region has become a major concern because of the
proliferation of arms from Libya and the kidnappings of humanitarians and foreign nationals by terrorist
groups".

[Description of Source: Algiers El-Watan Online in French -- Website of privately owned daily; launched
in 1990, it is the most widely distributed French-language newspaper in Algeria; while critical of the
authorities, it used to have links to the military establishment and remains a good source for information
on security matters; URL: www.elwatan.com]
Report Says Policemen Boko Haram Members, Hence Difficulty to Stop Sect's Activities

AFP20111118619007 Lagos Newswatch in English 14 Nov 11 - 21 Nov 11 12-19

[Report by Chris Ajaero: "A thorn in the flesh of the nation"]

Boko Haram, the deadly Islamic fundamentalist group in Nigeria, strikes again in Yobe State, killing
more than 150 persons

In Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, a neighborhood called New Jerusalem is a popular abode for
Christians. Most Christians think that it a safe haven to reside because many churches are also located
there. It has the highest concentration of Christians and non-indigenes.

It was, therefore, not surprising that it was one of the targets of the Boko Haram sect when they
unleashed mayhem on Damaturu and Potiskum on Friday 4 Nov. It was one of the deadliest attacks ever
carried out by Boko Haram, the Islamic fundamentalist sect, which has become a thorn in the flesh of the
nation.

The deadly strike claimed more than 150 lives and rendered thousands of people homeless. Churches,
public buildings, commercial houses, and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. At the
New Jerusalem area in the metropolis, some of the churches razed include St. Mary's Catholic Church and
the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel.

Others are the All Saints Anglican Church, Cherubim and Seraphim Church, and the Evangelical
Church of West Africa [ECWA]. Garba Idi, the Yobe State chairman of the Christian Association of
Nigeria [CAN], confirmed that New Jerusalem which is dominated by Christians and non-indigenes was
the worst hit.
 According to him, 10 churches, 11 vehicles, a police station and seven motorcycles belonging to
residents of the area were burnt during the attack. "So many Christians were killed and as I am talking to
you now, some people are still calling us to say that they have just discovered the bodies of some of their
missing relatives who were killed in the bush. We are not too comfortable with the security arrangements
here," he said.

Newswatch, however, learnt that before members of the sect moved to New Jerusalem area, they had to
first attack the office of the Anti-Terrorist Squad [ATS] along Maiduguri road near the NNPC mega
station.

The bombing which took place at about 4.30 pm was executed by the terrorist group through a posh
Honda CRV jeep bearing explosives driven into the two-storey building used as office and barracks by
the ATS. The car bomb immediately exploded and shattered the building, killing the suicide bomber and
one Aliyu Kabir, said to be an ATS constable. Many other people staying near the building, including
children were also killed.

An eyewitness told Newswatch that when the bomb exploded, the whole area vibrated as if there was an
earthquake and that the air was covered with smoke. Houses within the vicinity were destroyed. Among
the houses affected were those of Kaigama Umar, the Yobe State commissioner for finance, and
Abdullahi Bego, the special adviser to Governor Ibrahim Geidam on press affairs and information.

The headquarters of the Yobe State Police Command was also shattered by the explosives that were
sporadically thrown into the building. The officers manning the ATS and the police headquarters were
taken by surprise and could not immediately respond to the onslaught of the Boko Haram kingpins.

Having effectively bombed the ATS and the police headquarters, the bombers then moved to the
popular New Jerusalem area. Edwin Silas, a resident of the area, said that they were traumatized by the
manner the sect killed and maimed innocent people.

He said that when bombers approached the area with their explosives, they heard them shouting "Allah
Hu Akubar" repeatedly. Within the twinkle of an eye, they started bombing the churches and killing
people.

Narrating her ordeal in the hands of the bombers, Patricia Okoli said that when the bombers came, "they
shouted Arne, Yanmiri, shege" and started shooting and burning. She said that before the police could
come, they had killed so many people. "I don’t know how I survived, but my friends were killed before
my eyes. I ran into the bush on the Bukar Abba University road and somehow I escaped," she said.
 Fidelis Analado, another victim who was receiving treatment at the General Sani Abacha Hospital in
Damaturu, sustained bullet wounds on his body while trying to escape when the bombers struck. He said
that he escaped death by the whiskers. Apart from the bullet wounds that he sustained, his assailants burnt
his house.

Another victim who identified himself as a member of the Winners Chapel said that he was among the
first persons to build a house in the New Jerusalem area of Damaturu after the missionaries had
established their churches there. Although his house and business premises were destroyed, he escaped
with his family.

He described their escape as an act of God because their neighbors were not that lucky. One of the
police officers who survived the bombings in Damaturu narrated how he escaped death by the whiskers.
The police officer, who craved anonymity because of the security implications, said that he was lucky
with one of his colleagues to be alive to tell their stories.

The police officer attached to the 'A' Division said that he was coming with his other colleagues from
the New Jerusalem area of Damaturu where they had gone to remove a bomb planted by Boko Haram
when they fell into their hands at the 'A' Division roundabout. According to him, members of the sect
pursued their anti-squad vehicle, threw explosives on it and destroyed it.

The two policemen managed to escape with bullets in their bodies. At the Specialist Hospital Damaturu
where he was receiving treatment, his bandaged left hand still had bullets still lodged in it. He claimed
that though some of the Boko Haram members, were also killed, they did not abandon even one corpse,
even at great risk to their lives.

Newswatch gathered that after the Boko Haram gunmen had killed and maimed residents of New
Jerusalem area, they went through the town, blew up two commercial banks and carted away huge sums
of money from the vault. The federal secretariat located along Gashua Road in Damaturu was burnt by
members of the sect.

They also attacked, at least, three police stations leaving them in ruins. They continued through the
night of Friday, 4 Nov and raided Potiskum, another town some 100 kilometers from Damaturu where
they killed many innocent people.

Many military and police vehicles were burnt by members of the sect and the following day being
Saturday, 5 Nov, the vehicles along with burnt corpses of their drivers were still seen in their seats.
Indeed, corpses littered all over the town and Damaturu was like a war zone.
 A day after the bloody bombing in Damaturu, Suleiman Lawal, the commissioner of police, said that 53
people lost their lives. According to him, out of the 53, 11 were policemen, two army officers, two
officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, one Immigration officer, one Customs officer and an officer of
the Nigeria Civil Defense Corps.

Three other causalities were a female member of the National Youth Service Corps identified as
Remmy Eucharia from Enugu State serving with the Yobe State Ministry of Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs and a professor with his driver who were travelling from Jos to Maiduguri.

The causality figure later increased to more than 150. However, the police commissioner said that
security agents and innocent civilians were not the only people who lost their lives. According to him,
seven of the sect members were also killed in the exchange of fire with the security agents.

As part of measures to forestall security in the state, Ibrahim Geidam, the governor, who was in Saudi
Arabia forth is year's Hajj, had through Abubakar Aliyu, his deputy, imposed curfew on Damaturu,
starting from Sunday, 7 pm to 7 am.

The state government said that the curfew would continue until normalcy was restored to the town.
However, by press time last week, Geidam was being expected back in Damaturu, from Saudi Arabia.

On his part, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed doubt if the attackers were "true Muslims" for
causing mayhem during a holy period. In a statement issued by Reuben Abati, his senior special adviser
on media, the president promised that "the security agencies were busy at work, trying to make sure the
will of the majority of the Nigerian people is not subverted by a minority group with a suicidal streak."

The massacre of innocent people in Damaturu and Potiskum has shocked many residents of the area
who hitherto considered Yobe as a peaceful state. But one person who is not surprised by the ugly
incident is an Igbo police officer who was posted to Damaturu some months ago.

Indeed, it would appear that the police officer had a premonition of disaster that awaited indigenes of
Damaturu, the Yobe State capital and Potiskum, its neighboring town. Clad in a short and T-shirt that day
in June, the man, in a discussion with some fellow young Igbo men at a motor park in Damaturu,
counselled them thus:

"What are you people still doing in this town?" he asked, in Igbo language. Using his hand for effect, he
said: "It is happening, (he pointed forward), in your front, meaning Maiduguri and in your (as he pointed
backward), back, meaning Potiskum, so, what are you still doing here?"
 The Newswatch reporter who was in their midst, could not help but laugh at the view but the two men
were not amused. They individually explained to the officer why it was not possible for them to just
suddenly abandon a place they had lived in for long.

But the police officer was not impressed as he insisted that "life or safety should come ahead of any
other consideration." For him, he had seen enough of Damaturu and was taking a leave of absence, which
explained why he was east-bound that morning after which he would decide whether to continue with
police work.

There is no doubt that the police officer was worried about the manner the Boko Haram sect, had turned
some of the major towns of Bomo and Yobe States as well as Abuja, the seat of power, into killing fields
in recent times. Exactly five months after he fled the town, the sect unleashed mayhem on Damaturu and
Potiskum.

Since the incident, many other non-indigenes of Yobe State have followed the footsteps of the
disgruntled police officer by leaving Damaturu and Potiskum in droves. Many Igbo traders and some of
their kinsmen have resolved to relocate to the Southeast or Lagos.

Their fear was heightened by the statement by Abul-Qaqa, a Boko Haram spokesman, claiming
responsibility for the bombings and vowing that "more attacks are on the way" to unleash hell on non-
Muslims in their continued bloody sectarian fight.

Even the patrol by the military and policemen on the streets of Darnaturu and Potiskum could not stop
the mass exodus of people from Yobe State last week. Hundreds of residents besieged the major motor
parks in the two towns with their families and property to relocate to either their home states or other
parts of the country they believe do not harbor members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

Okey Obiozor, an Igbo trader resident in the New Jerusalem area said that he was relocating to the
Southeast with his entire family because he no longer considers Damaturu a safe place to stay and do
business. "What will I gain if I remain in Damaturu and make all the money and then lose my life or any
of my family members?"

He said that it was clear from what happened on that Friday evening that, the Christians were the target
of the religious sect. "God saved my life and those of my family members. So, it will be foolhardy for us
to continue to stay in a town where we are not wanted," Obiozor said.
 Tony Ogah, a businessman in Damaturu, said that he had been nursing the idea of leaving the town
because of so many issues which have to do with his faith as a Christian. He said that the latest offensive
of Boko Haram in Yobe left him with no option but to leave and settle somewhere else where he would
have peace of mind.

Samuel Musa, one of those who left Damaturu last week, said that many residents had resolved to leave
because they feared that the members of the sect could strike again in spite of the show of force by
soldiers and mobile policemen."I am at the Damaturu Mass Transit Park with my family and many other
people who are leaving the town because I have lived here for about 20 years but I can't afford to stay
here any longer.

The bombing of 4 Nov is enough warning because the incident was terrible and we don't know the next
target," he said.

Security agents launched a manhunt on those who perpetrated the act shortly after. Their efforts paid off
72 hours later when the Joint Task Force arrested nine of the suspects at a secret location in Gujba in
Yobe State.

The names of seven of those arrested are: Mohammed Musa Kafinta; Abbana Madu Melle; Babakura
Madu Melle; Ba'ana Barbadus; Madu Melle; Suleiman Umar, and Mohammed Ali Waziri. The suspects
were later moved to Damaturu for interrogation.

Sources told Newswatch that task force’s preliminary interrogation of the suspects revealed that they
were among those who executed the bombings in Damaturu and Potiskum. From records, the suspects
were on the wanted list of security agencies for the series of bombings in the Northeast.

Security agencies are working on the clue that Boko Haram men, who attacked two major towns of
Yobe State, may have had external support, including the al-Qaeda. "There is also a suspicion of external
collaboration.

It seems the Boko Haram is now operating from some of the neighboring countries which have always
had links with al-Qaeda," a security source told Newswatch last week.

A few days after the mayhem in Yobe State, the United States Embassy in Nigeria said that it had
received intelligence report that the radical Islamic sect intended to attack several locations and hotels in
Abuja during the Muslim holiday.
 It said that potential targets were luxury hotels in Abuja including the Nicon Luxury, Transcorp Hilton
and the Sheraton Hotels. In an advisory posted on its website warning American citizens, it said that all
US government personnel have been instructed to avoid the locations.

The advisory reads: "Emergency Message for American Citizens (November05, 20l1).The US Mission
in Nigeria issues the following emergency message for the attention of all US citizens in Abuja, Nigeria.

Following the recent Boko Haram, aka Nigerian Taliban, attacks in Borno and Yobe State, the Embassy
had received information that the group may plan to attack several locations and hotels in Abuja, Nigeria,
during the Sallah holiday. Potential targets may include the Nicon Luxury, the Sheraton Hotel, and the
Transcorp Hilton Hotel. "

All US government personnel have been instructed to avoid these locations and previously scheduled
events have been cancelled. American citizens should expect additional police and military checkpoints,
additional security, and possible roadblocks in Abuja for the foreseeable future. "The US government has
no additional information regarding the timing of the possible attacks.

The Embassy reminds US citizens to exercise additional caution. Please maintain a high state of
vigilance and personal awareness, particularly in and around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, near
Nigerian government facilities, diplomatic missions, large gathering places, hotels, markets and malls,
and places of worship.

We advise all US citizens to review their personal security plans, remain aware of their surroundings,
including local events, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidences of targeted
violence to the Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below.

US citizens should maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance their
personal security."

The statement also advised US citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria to enroll through the State
Department's Smart Travelers Enrollment Program to make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to
contact them in case of emergency.

But in a swift reaction to the security alert issued to its citizens by the US Embassy, General Owoye
Azazi, national security adviser, dismissed it as alarmist and promised that adequate counter-measures
have been put in place by the nation's security services to secure lives and property.
 He said the US alert was eliciting unhealthy public anxiety and generating avoidable tension. According
to him, "the current threat to attack three hotels in Abuja is not news and for over three months security
services have taken pro-active measures to protect the designated critical facilities and others."

He urged members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance because
security agencies have been placed at alert.

In her reaction, Marilyn Ogar, spokesperson of the State Security Service, said that although there was
no nation in the world that does not have security challenges, the bombings in Yobe State were not
enough to say that the security agencies have been overwhelmed. "I do not see problems that are beyond
the Nigerian security agencies because we have deployed men and we all know that we have beefed up
security everywhere.

On 26 Oct, we had alerted Nigerians that text messages were going around which said that targets were
going to be burnt in Abuja and we traced the senders of the messages to a secondary school in Madara,
Niger State.

We all know that every nation wants to ensure it can take care of its citizens and if the U.S sent out any
message, it is nothing so strange, it is not because our country is disintegrating. If Canada had followed
suit, there is nothing new to it. Yes, we have challenges but the challenges cannot overwhelm us," she had
said.

Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, the governor of Niger State and chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum,
also faulted the US Embassy's warning. Aliyu, while playing host to Umar Farouk Bahago, the Emir of
Minna, who paid him Sallah homage in the government house, Minna, last week said that such warning
only gives the nation a negative image among other nations of the world.

He insisted that such warnings by foreign embassies will not help Nigeria, but would only destroy what
the country has gained in its re-branding efforts. "With such kind of comments, the image of the country
continues to be tainted," he said.

However, last Tuesday, the US insisted that the plot to bomb Abuja was real. Tina Onufei, public affairs
officer of the public affairs section of the US Consulate General in Lagos, told Newswatch that the
security alert to American citizens was based on information at its disposal.

She explained that based on the specificity and credibility of the threat, they had no choice but to give
their best counsel to their citizens. Onufei explained that the reaction by the Nigerian government
denouncing the security alert by the U.S has not any way affected the diplomatic relations between the
two countries.

Last Wednesday, the US Embassy relaxed its terror warning. The embassy explained that since it issued
the emergency warning, it had continued to monitor closely the threat posed by the sect and had noticed
increased security checks by the Nigerian government. It therefore, said that its citizens were no longer
instructed to avoid the three hotels but maintain a high level of vigilance.

Intense security surveillance continued to be mounted in strategic locations in Abuja throughout last
week after the security alert by the US embassy. The three hotels said to be prime targets of the terror
gang received an unusual presence of operatives from the army, police, and the SSS.

The security operatives were positioned in all the entrance and exit gates of the hotels, from where they
searched all vehicles and individuals carrying bags and baggage into the hotels. The operatives, who were
heavily armed with guns of various shapes and sizes, refused to entertain questions from Newswatch on
issues relating to their operations in Abuja.

There was heightened security alert in Abuja and in most public offices, people were moving about but
conscious of the security threat. Beyond the hotels, entrances and exit gates at police, SSS and army
formations in the federal territory were also heavily guarded by armed security operatives.

Major public buildings such as the International Conference Centre, Radio House, the federal
secretariat, the National Assembly and all buildings at the three arms zone, including courts at the had
security presence around them beefed up.

The situation was most pronounced at the SSS headquarters building popularly called the Yellow
House. The entire frontage of the building, facing the residence of Vice President Namadi Sambo at the
Presidential Villa, was barricaded with concrete obstacles, molded in cone shapes of about three feet high.

Only visitors, including journalists on verifiable appointments, were allowed by heavily armed men
after thorough body and bag searches into the SSS premises throughout last week. Unlike before, visitors
were not allowed to drive in or park their cars near the SSS building. The nearest vehicles were tolerated
was at Aso drive, a distance of about a quarter of a kilometer.

The bombing of im Ypbe State has elicited condemnation locally and internationally. Ayo Oritsejafor,
national president of CAN lamented the ugly situation where innocent people, who were mostly
Christians in the North, were sent to their early graves by members of the Islamic fundamentalist sect.
 "The Christian Association of Nigeria is calling on the federal government to demonstrate the political
will to deal decisively with the increasing wave of terrorism in the country. Reports reaching me from
different parts of the North have shown that several innocent lives have again been sent to their early
graves and property worth millions of naira has either been torched or vandalized in another orgy of
religious violence," Oritsejafor said.

Nkechi Mba, national president of the National Council of Women's Societies [NCWS], was worried
that women were being turned into "widows prematurely, losing their children, loved ones and valuable
property due to the violent activities of some unpatriotic Nigerians and their collaborators."

She described the killings of innocent Nigerians as barbaric and unacceptable and urged the government
to fish out perpetrators of the act. The NCWS president appealed to Boko Haram to have a rethink, saying
that the "country belongs to all of us, and divided we fall, but united we stand, and where there is no
peace, there will be no development.

The Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF], the apex socio-cultural organization of the North, also appealed
to members of the sect to stop the killings and embrace dialogue for the unity and peace of the country.

Anthony Sani, national publicity secretary of the organization advised members of the sect to forgive
the injustices they were fighting against. "It is, therefore, still the position of ACF that the sect should
embrace dialogue by shelving further violence. This would address any perceived injustice and bring
about peace for national interest and common good," Sani stated.

Ban Ki-Moon, the secretary general of the United Nations, described the attacks as "criminal and
unjustifiable." He called for "an end to all violence in the area while offering sympathy for the victims."

Pope Benedict XVI also appealed for an end to all violence, saying that it only increases problems,
sowing the seeds of hatred and division even among the faithful. He told tourists in St. Peter's Square that
he was following with apprehension the news from Nigeria.

Boko Haram which figuratively means "Western or non-Islamic education is a sin," is a Nigerian
Islamic fundamentalist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah laws in 12 northern states of Nigeria.
The group presently has an undefined structure and chain of command.
 The official name of the group is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means
"People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad." The literal translation is
"Association of Sunnis for the Propagation of Islam and for Holy War."

It became known following sectarian violence in Nigeria in 2009. But residents of Maiduguri, where it
was formed in 2002, dubbed it Boko Haram. Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this
means "Western education is forbidden."

Residents gave it the name because of its strong opposition to Western education, which it sees as
corrupting Muslims. The term Boko Haram comes from the Hausa word Boko meaning "Animist,
western or otherwise non-Islamic education" and the Arabic word Haram figuratively meaning "sin" but
literally means "forbidden."

Boko Haram opposes not only western education but also western culture and modern science. The
group came into existence in the 1960s but only started to draw attention in 2002. Mohammed Yusuf
became its leader in the same year. He then formed Boko Haram in Maiduguri and set up a religious
complex, which included a mosque and an Islamic school.

Many poor Muslim families from across Northern Nigeria, as well as neighboring countries, enrolled
their children at the school. In 2004, it moved to Kanamma, Yobe State, where it set up a base called
"Afghanistan," from where it attacked nearby police stations, killing police officers.

But Boko Haram also had a political goal which is to create an Islamic State and the school became a
recruiting ground for jihadists to fight for the state.

In July 2009, the Nigerian police started investigating the group following reports that it was arming
itself.

Several of its leaders were arrested in Bauchi, sparking deadly clashes with security forces which led to
the death of about 700 people. Yusuf was arrested and killed in Maiduguri on 30 Jul, 2009, by Nigerian
security forces after being taken into custody.

In January 2010, the group struck in the Borno State capital, killing four people in Dala Alemderi ward,
while the sect freed more than 700 inmates from a prison in Bauchi State. In December 2010, members of
the sect bombed a market and 92 of its members were arrested by the police.
 Their activities peaked on Friday, 28 Jan, 2011, when the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria
Peoples Party, was assassinated, along with his brother and four police officers. On 17 Jun, the group
attacked the Force headquarters at Louis Edet House in Abuja. About 73 vehicles were destroyed by the
bombs detonated by a suicide bomber.

Officials believed that the attack was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria's history. Nine days later, on
26 Jun, the sect bombed a beer garden in Maiduguri. The militants on motorcycles threw explosives into
the drinking spot, killing about 25 people.

On 27 Jun, another bombing in Maiduguri, attributed to the group, killed at least two girls and wounded
three officers of the Nigeria Customs Service. On 3 Jul, another bombing of a beer garden in Maiduguri
killed at least 20 people.

Again on 26 Aug, this year, the sect bombed the UN House in Abuja and foreign security agencies
probing the attack suspect that al-Qaeda probably had a hand in it. Security reports indicated that
members of the Boko Haram had received training from groups affiliated to al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and
Algeria.

It was gathered that some police officers are suspected to be members of the sect or are simply in
support of their action due to fear or ethnic affiliation hence it has been difficult for security agencies to
stop their dastardly activities.

[Description of Source: Lagos Newswatch in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Report Says Arrest Rumor Prompted Boko Haram's Yobe State Massacre
AFP20111119619002 Lagos TheNews in English 14 Nov 11 - 21 Nov 11 41-43

[Report by Ben Adaji: "The Yobe Massacre"]

A series of well coordinated attacks by the Boko Haram sect paralyze security agencies in Yobe State
and yields a harvest of deaths and destruction

For residents of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, the weekend of 4 Nov was one that is better
forgotten. But there is little chance that anyone of cognitive age will succeed in blotting out the
weekend’s events from memory.

Eid-el-Kabir, the important festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide, was two days away. Preparations
for the festival were in top gear with rams being feverishly bought for slaughter.

But on the day of the festival, Damaturu was left looking like war-time Rwanda, following a series of
bomb and gun attacks carried out by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect. Buildings stood
smoldering and grotesque wreckages of vehicles were ubiquitous. So were corpses.

The leaves of the city’s Neem trees, which provided shade from the Damaturu oppressive heat fluttered
as no one took shade under them. Residents that did not flee from the astounding carnage kept off the
streets.

The attacks, said residents, began at about 4:30 p.m. on that day and lasted till 4 am the next day. When
the guns and explosions stopped, over a hundred people had been killed. Countless were injured, while
properties worth billions of naira were destroyed.

The attacks, this magazine learnt, were sparked by a piece of information received by the Boko Haram
sect that the group’s second-in-command, Mohammed Nuhu, was arrested in Maiduguri by the men of the
Joint Task Force and detained at a police station, preparatory to his transfer to Abuja.

To stop that from happening, they mobilized their members and blocked the three major entrances to
Damaturu. A group took care of Maiduguri Road, while two others sealed off roads leading from the city
to Gashua and Gujba respectively.
 Each group was said to have been ordered to start attacking by 4.30 p.m. The first set of targets included
the state Police Command Headquarters, office of the Police Anti-Terrorism Squad as well as other
security outfits, where officers were killed aplenty.

This was evidently done to limit a fight back by the security agencies. It worked like magic. A Honda
CRV car bearing two Boko Haram suicide bombers took care of the headquarters of the Anti-Terrorism
Squad located at the 300 Housing Unit Estate.

The Second-in-command at the squad, Deputy Superintendent of Police Adamu Idi, told this magazine
that he was standing about 500 meters away when the car arrived at the headquarters and drove to the
administrative building also housing some police officers and their families.

As Idi waited for the visitors to step down from the vehicle, the bombs went off, ripping through the
building and killing a police constable, Ali Kashim, and two children of the officers occupying the
building.

Also badly damaged were 14 vehicles, including seven patrol vehicles and a bullet-proof Toyota Hilux
van. Twenty other buildings on the estate were affected.

Idi said that the attack rendered his men impotent as they had no vehicles to move. "They knew we
would have demolished them. That was why they attacked us first," he said. Just as that was going on, the
group on Maiduguri Road stormed the town and started shooting at everything above ground level.

The group on Gashua Road also moved, bombing the federal secretariat and the Nigerian Prisons
Service Headquarters on Gashua Road. At the city’s major roundabout, so many people, especially
motorists, were killed. Boko Haram members also bombed a branch of First Bank.

The batch on Gujba were said to have moved towards the state Police Command Headquarters,
reducing the main building to ruins with explosions, which burnt a large number of vehicles parked in the
compound, before advancing to the major roundabout to join the two other groups where they were
killing for fun.

Hassan Muazu, a resident, said that most of the assailants looked like they are aged between 16 and 17.
Johnson Dimkwa, who witnessed the madness at the major roundabout, said that after shooting and
killing the driver of a police patrol vehicle, Boko Haram members, whom he confirmed looked like
teenagers, sang and jubilated wildly.
 "At a point, they were shouting: ‘Where are the policemen, where are the soldiers; we want them to
come out," he said.

A food vendor said that she thought war had come. The vendor, who was on her way home from the
market when the violence began, said that she dived into a gutter and slept there till the next morning. "If
they wanted to take over the government house that night, they could easily have succeeded," said another
eyewitness at the roundabout.

When the Boko Haram members were sated, they moved to New Jerusalem, a Christian-dominated
neighborhood, where they lustily continued the bombing and shooting. Over 10 churches were bombed,
while about 40 vehicles on their premises were licked by the angry flames of the bombs.

The first church to go down was the Living Faith Church located in the New Jerusalem area. The
assailants bombed the main church building, the pastor’s office and the children’s section. The pastor of
the church, Emmanuel Ekigho, told TheNEWS that the church lost property worth N60 million.

Reverend Toma Duwara of the Brethren of Nigeria Church said that the Boko Haram members drove to
the church in a convoy of vehicles, bombed the church and burnt four vehicles. He estimated that the
incident has cost the church about N20 million.

Other churches destroyed included St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Cherubim and Seraphim Church,
ECWA Good News Church, the Anglican Church, the Assemblies of God, Global Academy Mission of
Nigeria, and the Charismatic Revival Mission.

Eucharia Joseph, a resident of New Jerusalem who lost her father, said: "We don’t know our offence;
we are just civilians. I hope this kind of disaster will never happen again."

When the demolition job in New Jerusalem was completed, the marauders returned to the centre of the
town to continue shooting fleeing residents. At the main roundabout vehicles and their occupants were
burnt.

The orgy continued all through the night, as security agencies had been effectively castrated through
attack on their offices and officers. Damaturu resembled an expansive morgue. A resident told this
magazine that he counted 133 corpses.
 A mortuary attendant at a hospital said that over 90 corpses had been claimed by their relations. A
senior Federal Road Safety Corps officer told this medium that he counted over 150 corpses at a hospital.
"The mortuary of the hospital is very small and the facilities there were overstretched. Most of the corpses
were either on the floor or outside the building.

"I saw over 150 dead bodies and dozens were in uniforms," he said. He explained that affected families,
in respect of religion and tradition, had evacuated the remains of their loved ones in order to bury them.
This, he suggested, accounted for the wildly conflicting figures for deaths.

The Red Cross officials said that 63 people were killed and six churches burnt. A Red Cross official
said that two other people were killed and five wounded in a separate attack in Potiskum, the biggest town
in the state.

An official of a federal government agency claimed that he counted 136 dead bodies. "We counted 135
male corpses and one female, while 17 males and four females were critically injured," he said.

The official said that two rifles and a refrigerator belonging to the Nigerian Immigration Service were
carted away. However, the state Police Commissioner, Suleiman Mamman, put the death toll at 53.

Among those killed, according to the police boss, were 11 policemen and two soldiers, two officers of
the Federal Road Safety Corps, one officer each of the Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian
Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service as well as seven Boko Haram suicide bombers.

The commissioner added that a professor travelling from Potiskum to Maiduguri as well as a member of
the National Youth Service Corps were also killed. Most of the police officers killed, he said, were in a
six-storey building, which was their residence. Many of them, he added, had retired from service.

The commissioner, who announced a dusk to dawn curfew, also confirmed that six places of worship
and many federal government establishments were burnt.

The deputy governor of Yobe State, Abubakar Ali, who visited the scenes of the blasts, later had a
secret meeting with the police commissioner. As at press time, the state government had not released any
statement on the tragedy.
 Journalists, who visited the morgue at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, said that they counted over
130 corpses burnt beyond recognition. Moses Daniel, a resident of Nasarawa area of the city, told this
magazine at the hospital that he had come to collect the corpse of his brother.

This magazine’s trip around Damaturu on 6 Nov showed that the city was almost completely deserted.
Even the few residents sighted were rushing out of the town with their families. When TheNEWS visited
the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, all the injured persons had been evacuated for fear of another attack.

Damaturu residents blame the free reign of terror on security agencies. "Policemen and civilians were
running for their lives while these people killed unchallenged. In fact, we have a state without a
government," said Malam Abu Gada, a civil servant.

Joseph Daudu, another resident, is of the same view. He lamented that when the operation started,
residents fled to the police command headquarters only to find policemen fleeing. "What type of police
commissioner do we have?" he asked.

This magazine gathered that before the attack, there were no police checkpoints in Damaturu. "We are
close to Maiduguri where Boko Haram bombs explode regularly, but that never moved our police
commissioner to order that vehicles coming into Damaturu be screened," said a resident, who called for
the immediate redeployment of the commissioner.

Efforts to get the commissioner to react to these accusations proved abortive as what is left of the
command headquarters was under tight security. Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN]
is counting its losses following the attacks in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The association said that six of its churches were burnt by the extremists. CAN President, Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor disclosed that at least four of its members were killed in coordinated attacks, one at a college
in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, while Mujahideen gunmen attacked a church in Kaduna, shooting
two female worshippers to death.

Lamenting that Islamic sects in the North had constantly launched assault on Christians, Oritsejafor
called on the federal government to demonstrate the political will to deal decisively with the increasing
wave of terrorism in the country, arguing that the much needed investment-friendly environment might be
a pipe dream if there is no peace in the nation.

"We just cannot continue to put our wrong foot forward all the time and expect investors to come and
invest their money in an unsafe environment," he said. The cleric said that the leadership of CAN would
soon convene an emergency meeting and come up with a more comprehensive reaction to the latest round
of violence.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch said last Tuesday that the bloody assaults on Damaturu and Potiskum
were an indefensible attack on human life. The rights group stated that since the beginning of 2011, Boko
Haram had been implicated in attacks in which more than 425 people had been killed.

It identified those killed by the sect attack to include police officers, soldiers, community leaders,
politicians, Islamic clerics, Christian pastors, and church members. According to the rights group, the
recent attacks resulted in the highest death toll in a single day since Boko Haram began its campaign of
violence in Nigeria in July 2009. "Boko Haram has once again demonstrated its utter disregard for human
life.

The authorities should act swiftly to bring to justice those responsible for these terrible crimes and for
earlier attacks that left hundreds dead," the statement quoted Corinne Dufka, Senior West Africa
Researcher at Human Rights Watch, as saying.

The statement said that the body had documented dozens of attacks by members of the Islamic sect over
the past year, including those on police stations, military facilities, prisons, banks, beer halls, and
churches."The Nigerian authorities need to ensure that all law enforcement operations in response to
Boko Haram are conducted in accordance with international human rights standards.

The most effective way to counter the abhorrent tactics employed by groups like the Boko Haram is to
scrupulously adhere to respect for human rights and the rule of law," the statement added.

On Wednesday last week, the sect showed that it would not relent in its bombing campaign when its
men attacked a police station and government office in Mainok in Damaturu destroying both buildings,
but the government denied a resident’s claim of police casualties.

Mainok is less than 80 kilometers from Damaturu. "It is true that there were attacks on a police outpost
in Mainok village," said Simeon Midenda, the Borno State Police Commissioner, but there were no
casualties because that particular outpost was shut down long ago and the policemen there were
redeployed to Maiduguri."

A resident, however, told the AFP that about 20 gunmen attacked the police station, throwing
explosives inside, before moving on to the state Federal Road Safety Corps headquarters, which was also
destroyed along with vehicles parked there. "They killed four policemen, freed suspects from cells and
carted away guns and ammunition from the police station," the resident said.
 A federal road safety commission official for Borno state confirmed that the office was hit. James
Christopher, the official in the Borno State confirmed that ‘‘our office in Mainok was attacked by gunmen
and burnt down but none of my men there was affected though one of our operation vehicles was burnt in
the attack."

But last Thursday, Ms. Maryln Ogar, spokesperson of the State Security Service, said that the security
agencies have been unfairly criticized.

Speaking on a morning program on the Lagos-based Channels Television, Ogar argued that a slice of
the blame should go to the residents, some of whom she claimed clapped for Boko Haram members as
they shot at policemen. She added that residents also have a tendency to hoard information that could help
halting such occurrences.

[Description of Source: Lagos TheNews in English - independent weekly news magazine]

Nigeria: Boko Haram Threatens More Attacks

AFP20111119642020 Lagos Vanguard in English 07 Nov 11 p 2

[Report by Rotimi Ajayi: "Expect more deadly attacks - Boko Haram"]

Islamic sect, Boko Haram has threatened to carry out more attacks, a day after a series of blasts and gun
battles claimed by the group killed more than 100 people in the country's northeast, the Nigerian Red
Cross has said. Ibrahim Bulama, an official from the humanitarian organization, said on Sunday that the
death toll is expected to rise as local clinics and hospitals tabulate the casualty figures from Friday's
attacks in Damaturu, the capital of rural Yobe state. A spokesman for the Islamist armed group, using the
name Abul-Qaqa, promised "more attacks are on the way", speaking hours after witnesses reported
"scenes of carnage."

The US Embassy in Nigeria has issued an emergency warning to its citizens living there that bomb
attacks could be possible at luxury hotels in the capital Abuja. Boko Haram, which means "Western
education is sacrilege," has claimed responsibility for previous attacks and the latest was the deadliest
since the group attacked a UN building in Abuja in August, killing at least 20 people. We will continue
attacking federal government formations until security forces stop their excesses on our members and
vulnerable civilians," Abul-Qaqa said in an interview with the Daily Trust, the newspaper of record across
Nigeria's Muslim north.

Suleimon Lawal, the police commissioner of Damaturu, told Al Jazeera a suicide bomber drove a vehicle
apparently laden with explosives into a building housing the anti-terrorist court. Lawal said the attack
killed 53 people but he did not disclose how many among the casualties were security officials."The
explosives rocked the building and there were casualties. Two of them [suicide bombers] perished in the
bomb," he said. Lawal insisted the group was not gaining an upper hand and vowed that it would be
crushed.

"My strategy is a security strategy [that] I cannot disclose on air. So as they're not [Boko Haram]
disclosing their security strategy, I don't think it is safe for me to tell the whole world what I am doing,"
he said. The violence followed a series of attacks reported in the neighboring cities of Maiduguri and
Potiskum on Friday afternoon. "There's that fear that something might possibly happen again," Ibrahim
Bulama, a spokesman for the Nigerian Red Cross, said.

Security vehicles torched

News agencies, quoting officials, said after the attack on the building, armed men went through
Damaturu, blowing up a bank and attacking at least three police stations and five churches, leaving
behind their rubble. People began hesitantly leaving their homes on 5 November morning, after seeing the
destruction left behind, which included military and police vehicles burned by the armed men, with the
burned corpses of the drivers who died still in their seats.

Boko Haram wants the strict implementation of Islamic law across the nation of more than 160 million
people, which has a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim north. Nii Akuetteh, a former executive
director of Africa Action, a Washington-based rights group, said the group appeared to be growing
strong. "The government has been saying that it will deal with them and that it will get a handle on the
problem, but it's not been able to," he told Al Jazeera.

"Previously, the attempt made was to try and fight them militarily - to send the security forces after them -
but that has created its own problem. "I know for a fact that there're Nigerian groups in and outside the
government, including the media, who are suggesting that the government should try to talk to Boko
Haram. But my own impression is that they don't seem to be particularly ready or inclined to talk."

Split into factions

The AP news agency, quoting a diplomat, said the government was facing an increasingly dangerous
threat from Boko Haram, adding that the group had split into three factions, one allied with al-Qaeda's
North Africa branch. It said one faction remains moderate and welcomes an end to the violence while
another wants a peace agreement with rewards similar to those offered to MEND, which has been fighting
for a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth. The attacks occurred just before id al-Adha, or the feast of
sacrifice, celebrated by Muslims around the world.

Police elsewhere in Nigeria had warned of violence in the run-up to the celebration in the country that has
previously been rocked by religious violence. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's Christian president who took
office amid religious and political rioting that saw at least 800 die in April, cancelled a trip to his home
state of Bayelsa for his younger brother's wedding on 7 November. His spokesman, Reuben Abati, said
the president did not consider those who launched the attacks "true Muslims," as the assault came during
a holy period. Abati also promised that "every step will be taken" to arrest those responsible - the same
pledge made again and again as Jonathan has visited other sites bombed by Boko Haram.

"The security agencies will tell you that what happens on this scale is even a fraction of what could have
happened considering the scope of the threat," Abati said. "The security agencies are busy at work trying
to make sure the will of the majority of the Nigerian people is not subverted by a minority [group] with a
suicidal streak."

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Isaac Olawale, a researcher for Oxford University Centre for Research on
Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity, says: "The present attempt to deal with the problem using
confrontational strategies will not work. There is poverty all over the country and an increased number of
Nigerians are jumping into the warm embrace of ethnic, chauvinist and religious fundamentalism. Boko
Haram expresses some of the social upheavals we are witnessing in Nigeria."
[Description of Source: Lagos Vanguard in English -- Independent widely read daily]

Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Members Reportedly Kill 5 People in Borno, Kogi

AFP20111120565001 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 19 Nov 11

[Report by Njadvara Musa and Ralph Omololu Agbana: "2 Soldiers, 3 Others Killed in Fresh Boko
Haram Attacks; Bombs Rock Bank, Police Command"]

At least, five people, including a child and two soldiers, have been killed in separate shootings and bomb
blasts suspected to have been orchestrated by the dreaded Boko Haram sect in Borno and Kogi states.

As residents of Gwange Ward of the Maiduguri metropolis were yet to come to terms with Friday's attack
on a Joint Task Force (JTF) patrol vehicle that killed a nine-year-old child and two soldiers, bomb blasts
hit a bank and area command police headquarters in Kabba, Western District of Kogi State, yesterday
leaving two police officers, an inspector and a lance corporal, dead.

The hoodlums opened attack at the police station before proceeding to the local branch of a first
generation bank situated within 200 metres to their initial target. Bombers, whose identity was yet to be
ascertained, targeted the bank.

Initially, they were thought to be members of the Boko Haram sect but a failed attempt to gain access to
the bank's vault pointed to armed robbery.

According to an eyewitness, two sets of the hoodlums, about 10 in number, attacked the two targets. On
getting to the police station, one of the teams reportedly disarmed the police on guard and headed for the
armoury where they carted away guns and ammunitions and in the process set free detainees in the station
before detonating a bomb.
Having successfully subdued the police, a second team, it was gathered, simultaneously threw a dynamite
to gain entrance into the banking hall shooting sporadically in the air. "They threw several dynamites into
the bank premises but they could not gain access into the vault before they left in annoyance", said the
witness.

Speaking with journalists, the state Police Commissioner, John Abasankanga, who paid on-the-spot
assessment to the station, said immediately he was alerted of the incident he mobilized his anti riot men
stationed in Okene to go with the APC tank to the scene.

On entry to Kabba, the police detachment met the bandits who opened fire on the rescue team and
deflated the tyres of the APC tank. The policemen swiftly responded to the exchange of gunfire with the
bandits before they managed to escape. Abakasanga said he had put his men on red alert and expressed
hope that the bandit would soon be arrested.

Reacting to the ugly incident, governor Ibrahim Idris described the incident as unacceptable, saying it was
barbaric for anybody to shed innocent blood.

The governor, who spoke through his Director- General, Press Affairs, Mr. Richard Elesho, immediately
directed the State Security Service to swing into action and unravel the identity of the bombers.

On the other hand, the Bama-Road shooting in Maiduguri occurred while the soldiers were on patrol of
the Gwange ward to protect lives and property.

A sugarcane seller in the area said the incident occurred at 7.30pm on Friday when unknown gunmen,
numbering about four, attacked a JTF vehicle.

"We saw two of the soldiers shot, while stray bullets pierced the vehicle of a resident and killed a child
sitting beside his father, before the soldiers in their patrol vehicles arrived and started raiding part of
Gwange ward for the fleeing armed sect members."

Confirming the killings yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Simeon Midenda,
said the JTF and the police commander of Gwange ward, were yet to brief him on "Friday night's attacks
and killings by suspected members of the Muslim sect, as I have just returned from Abuja for a security
conference."
[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Al-Qa'idah, Nigerian Islamist sect collude to terrorize Sahel - Burkinabe daily

AFP20111120950032 L'Observateur Paalga in French 15 Nov 11

[Corrected version: correcting subject line, metadata.]

Text of report by Boureima Diallo entitled "AQIM/Boko Haram collusion: The threat that can set all
ablaze" published by Burkina Faso's L'Observateur Paalga newspaper website on 15 November

The news has been whispered for some time now in some circles like the international press. And the
conditional was very current. But this time around, it is a terrible reality that sends cold shivers down the
spine: there is a connection between AQLIM [Al-Qa'idah Organization in the Land of the Islamic
Maghreb] and Boko Haram, an Islamist movement which operates in northern Nigeria. In any case, this is
what the Algerian deputy foreign minister, Abdelkader Messahel, said.

His statement tallies point by point with that of several Western diplomats and other security experts.
Thus, "the links between Boko Haram and other extremist organizations is of grave concern to us", the
commander of the US Army Africa [USARAF], Gen [Carter] Ham, declared last August when he visited
hydras in Nigeria which gang up to better terrorize the subregion.

Therefore, this means that the threat is gaining ground in Afghanistan and Pakistan where Al-Qa'idah
appears to be declining in form, militarily speaking, towards new sanctuaries in Africa, especially given
the situation in Libya where huge quantities of arms have been fraudulently removed from barracks and
retrieved by some fanatics. The explosion in arms trafficking in the Sahel countries, millions of tons of
arms from Libyan depots left unattended by the new authorities and NATO and the demobilization of
hundreds of Tuareg warriors who fought for [Col Mu'ammar] al-Qadhafi seem to have been a godsend for
those amateurs with feelings.

It was common knowledge that AQLIM had already contacted the Algerian GSPC [Salafi Group for Call
and Combat], the Somali Shebabs and Boko Haram - four terrorist groups which bare their teeth to the
subregion, attempting with difficulty to burst the boil. But the most worrying aspect is doubtlessly an
apparent coordination of the will to synchronize their capabilities.

The attack on the UN premises in Nigeria's Abuja on 26 August using a car-bomb technique, which
reminds us of the mode of the AQLIM operation, is considered by informed observers as the starting
point of the complicity between these terrorist organizations. This is a threat which can set the entire
subregion ablaze. Or can it well serve as a subregional response to a totally new situation? There lies the
question.

[Description of Source: Ouagadougou L'Observateur Paalga Online in French -- Website of the privately
owned, pro-government daily; URL: http://www.lobservateur.bf]

Nigerian Police Reveals Boko Haram's Political Ties

AFP20111121637003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1707 GMT 21 Nov 11

["Nigeria extremist sect has political links: police" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, Nov 21, 2011 (AFP) - Nigeria's secret police said Monday that the extremist Boko Haram sect,
blamed for scores of attacks including the August suicide bombing of UN headquarters here, has links to
local politicians.

Police said they had exposed the connections after the arrest and questioning of an alleged spokesman for
the Islamist group.

"His arrest further confirms the Service (police) position that some of the Boko Haram extremists have
political patronage and sponsorship," secret police spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said.

The statement said that the suspect named as Ali Sanda Umar Konduga confessed he "was recruited by a
political party stalwart in Maiduguri," the northeastern city where most of the attacks blamed on Boko
Haram have taken place.

Police did not identify the political party involved.

It alleged that Konduga was the Boko Haram spokesman quoted in the media under the alias Usman al-
Zawahiri.

He was arrested on November 3. Police did not say why it was only being announced now.

There has long been speculation over political links to at least certain factions of Boko Haram, which has
claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in
Abuja which killed at least 24 people.

Ogar's statement alleged Konduga was "a former political thug," referring to the practice of Nigerian
politicians of recruiting or forming local gangs to help rig elections or use as muscle.

The statement said one benefactor promised to pay him 10 million naira ($60,000, 45,000 euros) to work
for his party, but then died on his way to deliver half the sum to Konduga.

Konduga claimed a member of Nigeria's National Assembly then took over the running of his activities.
The statement also alleged Konduga was behind threatening text messages sent to election tribunal judges
and other threats made to politicians including former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

It clamed that Konduga told security agents that threat messages sent to the chairman of an election
petition tribunal in Borno state, where Maiduguri is located, "were scripted and relayed to him by the
National Assembly member."

Boko Haram launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead
and which left its mosque and headquarters in Maiduguri in ruins.

It appeared to go dormant for about a year before re-emerging with a series of hit-and-run shootings.
Bomb blasts have become frequent and increasingly sophisticated in recent months.

There has been intense speculation over whether the group has formed links with outside extremist
groups, including Al-Qaeda's north African branch.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Police See Ties Between Radical Islamic Sect, Politicians

AFP20111121678013 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1931 GMT 21 Nov 11

["Nigeria extremist sect has political links: police" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, Nov 21, 2011 (AFP) - Nigeria's secret police said Monday that the extremist Boko Haram sect,
blamed for scores of attacks including the August suicide bombing of UN headquarters here, has links to
local politicians.

Police said they had exposed the connections after the arrest and questioning of an alleged spokesman for
the Islamist group, which is believed to have various factions and aims.

There has also been intense speculation, particularly among Western nations, over whether the group has
formed links with outside extremist groups, including Al-Qaeda's north African branch.

"His arrest further confirms the Service (police) position that some of the Boko Haram extremists have
political patronage and sponsorship," secret police spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said, referring to the
arrest of the alleged spokesman.

The statement said that the suspect named as Ali Sanda Umar Konduga confessed he "was recruited by a
political party stalwart in Maiduguri," the northeastern city where most of the attacks blamed on Boko
Haram have taken place.

The police did not identify the political party involved.

They alleged that Konduga was the Boko Haram spokesman quoted in the news media under the alias
Usman al-Zawahiri.

He was arrested on November 3. Police did not explain the delay in announcing the arrest.

Speculation has been rife over political links to at least certain factions of Boko Haram, which has
claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in
Abuja which killed at least 24 people.

Such speculation has pointed to local politics in Borno state, where Maiduguri is the capital, or opposition
to President Goodluck Jonathan in the mainly Muslim north.

The alleged confessions of Konduga seemed to involve mainly local politics.

Ogar's statement alleged that Konduga was "a former political thug," referring to the practice of Nigerian
politicians of recruiting or forming local gangs to help rig elections.

The statement said one benefactor promised to pay him 10 million naira ($60,000, 45,000 euros) to work
for his party, but then died on his way to deliver half the sum to Konduga.

Konduga claimed that a member of Nigeria's National Assembly then took over the running of his
activities.

The statement also alleged that Konduga was behind threatening text messages sent to election tribunal
judges with the aim of having the government in Borno state tossed out.

Other threats were made to politicians including former president Olusegun Obasanjo, the statement said.

It claimed that Konduga told security agents that threatening messages sent to the chairman of an election
petition tribunal in Borno state "were scripted and relayed to him by the National Assembly member."

Konduga was briefly presented to journalists at secret police headquarters on Monday, as is often done
following arrests in Nigeria.

He spoke in the Hausa language common throughout Nigeria's north, but those translating his remarks
said he stated that he had been a student of former Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed
in 2009.

He was said to have admitted to having a phone conversation with a senator from the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party, but it had to do with a presidential panel set up to explore whether dialogue was
possible with Boko Haram.

According to the translation, he claimed to have previously been a spokesman for Boko Haram, but said
the sect now suspected that he may have informed on them.

Boko Haram launched an uprising in 2009 put down by a brutal military assault that left hundreds dead
and which left its mosque and headquarters in Maiduguri in ruins.
It appeared to go dormant for about a year before re-emerging with a series of hit-and-run shootings.
Bomb blasts have become frequent and increasingly sophisticated in recent months.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Security Service Arrests 'Self-Acclaimed' Spokesperson of Islamic Sect

AFP20111122598001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 22 Nov 11

[Report by Jacob Segun Olatunji and Chris Agbambu: "Modu Sheriff, Ndume, Pindar behind Boko
Haram; Sect Spokesman Opens Can of Worms; JTF Arrests 13 Over Yobe Bombings; 'How We Sent
Threat Messages to OBJ, Govs Aliyu, Lamido, Others'"]

The self-acclaimed chief spokesman of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga,
popularly known in media circles as Usman Al-Zawahiri, has been nabbed by the Department of State
Security Service (SSS), just as he opened up on those backing the sect.

Fielding questions from newsmen at the SSS headquarters in Abuja, on Monday, Umar named former
Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, the late Ambassador Sheidu Pinda and serving Senator Ali Ndume, both of
the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the real brains behind the group in Borno State.
Umar, who spoke through an interpreter, explained that members of the group had a good working
relationship with former Governor Sheriff, of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) until he fell out with
the group after sacking a member of the group from his cabinet, a commissioner, who was later murdered.

According to him, "Usman Al-Zawahiri is not my real name; it was given to me to portray me as an
extremist and as well to conceal my true identity. We were political thugs to former Governor Sheriff
until the relationship went sour. We switched over to the late Ambassador Pinda, who promised me N10
million to work for his political party, the PDP, in Borno State during the last elections.

"Unfortunately, Ambassador Pinda died on his way to make the part payment of N5million and Senator
Ali Ndume took over from where the late ambassador stopped."

Umar, who described himself as a student under the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, claimed
that Senator Ndume "scripted and relayed" to him all threat text messages he sent to prominent Nigerians.

Those prominent Nigerians, according to him, included former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo;
Justice Sabo Adamu and other judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Borno State; Governors Sule
Lamido of Jigawa State; Babangida Aliyu of Niger State; Ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Director-
General of President Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation and Senator Sanusi Dagash,
former Works and Housing Minister, among others.

He said that the threat messages were being sent to former President Olusegun Obasanjo based on the
belief that he had sympathy for the former and present governors of Borno State, while same messages
were sent to Senator Dagash when it became clear to them that he was allegedly going to sabotage the
electoral victory of the PDP in Borno State despite the fact that he was a member of the party.

He revealed that the text messages of the group, which forced the Borno State Election Petitions Tribunal
to be relocated from Maiduguri to Abuja as well as those sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, were meant to compel him (AGF) to influence the
judgment of the tribunal against the government in Borno State.

He said that the same Senator Ndume, who was a member of the Presidential Committee on the Security
in the North-East, promised to supply the telephone numbers of the members of the security committee to
the group for necessary action before he was eventually picked up by security operatives.

When questioned about the grievances of the group, Mallam Umar hinged them on what he described as
"failed promises and lack of political will on the part of the government to fulfill its numerous promises."
[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigerian Court Charges Senator Over Links With Islamist 'Spokesman'

AFP20111122309001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1527 GMT 22 Nov 11

["Nigerian senator charged over links to Islamist 'spokesman'" -- AFP Headline]

ABUJA, Nov 22, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian authorities charged a senator Tuesday over suspected links to a
man accused of being a spokesman for Islamist sect Boko Haram, blamed for attacks including the
bombing of UN headquarters here.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume was charged in magistrate's court alongside the alleged spokesman, Ali
Sanda Umar Konduga, with breaching public trust and criminal intimidation.

The charges claim that between September 15 and November 3 in the cities of Maiduguri and Abuja,
"Mohammed Ali Ndume and Ali Sanda Umar Konduga did conspire to commit" the alleged crimes.

Ndume, a senator from Borno state in the country's northeast, where most of Boko Haram's attacks have
occurred, pleaded not guilty. Konduga pleaded guilty and is to be sentenced at a later date.

The senator is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, which dominates national politics but is not in
power in Borno state.
He also served on a presidential committee that sought earlier this year to determine whether dialogue
was possible with Boko Haram.

It was unclear whether Konduga, the alleged spokesman, had reached a deal with authorities. Secret
police announced his November 3 arrest only on Monday and said he confessed to various crimes as well
as his links to politicians.

"His arrest further confirms the Service (police) position that some of the Boko Haram extremists have
political patronage and sponsorship," secret police spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said on Monday, referring
to Konduga's arrest.

Speculation has been rife over political links to at least certain factions of Boko Haram, which has
claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in
Abuja which killed at least 24 people.

Such speculation has pointed to explanations ranging from local politics in Borno state to opposition to
President Goodluck Jonathan in the mainly Muslim north.

Boko Haram is believed to have various factions with a number of different aims, and the alleged
confessions of Konduga seemed to involve mainly local politics.

Authorities claim that Konduga was the Boko Haram spokesman quoted in the news media under the
alias Usman al-Zawahiri.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Arrested Boko Haram Spokesman Names Sponsors

AFP20111123606001 Abuja Leadership in English 22 Nov 11 p 2

[Report by Bayo Oladeji, Uchenna Awom, and Chizoba Ogbeche: "Alleged Boko Haram Sponsorship:
Senator Ali Ndume Arrested"]

Senator Ali Ndume has been arrested last night following allegations that he was one of the sponsors of
the dreaded group popularly known as Boko Haram. He was fingered alongside former Nigeria’s
ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, the late Amb. Sa’idu Pindar by a kingpin of the sect, Ali Sanda
Umar Konduga, aka, Usman Al-Zawahiri who was paraded by the State Security Service [SSS] in Abuja
yesterday as being sponsors of the violent sect.

Though his arrest was not confirmed as at press time, sources said Ndume who is a People’s Democratic
Party [PDP] senator from Borno State and a former Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, was
picked up even before the suspect was paraded and made to speak to journalists at the SSS headquarters.
LEADERSHIP put several calls through to his phone for his reaction to the allegation, but could not get
the calls answered and nor did he reply the text messages sent to him. But the suspect, who spoke through
an interpreter, confessed to having been a member of the sect after graduating as a student of the late
leader of Boko Haram, Muhammad Yusuf. He also admitted being the mastermind behind the threat
messages to the judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to him, the group was totally against the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] and former
governor Ali Modu Sherrif, and wanted to ensure that the tribunal removes the present government in the
state. He said the sect had problems with the government which always made promises and policy
statements without fulfilling them hence, their reaching out to the opposition through the late Ambassador
Pindar of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]. Konduga claimed the late Pindar had informed them that
former President Olusegun Obasanjo was behind ex-governor Sherrif, and encouraged them to send the
threat test messages to him and other Northern politicians including Senator Sanusi Daggash, who he
claimed worked against the victory of the PDP in the state during the governorship election.

He claimed Senator Ndume had provided the numbers to which the test messages were sent but after his
acceptance to be on a committee set up by the administration, the sect members began to question his
loyalty and had to confront the lawmaker. The suspect further explained that the sect had been in good
terms with the former governor who appointed one of their members, Buju Foi, as commissioner for
religious affairs until he was sacked and killed under questionable circumstance. The spokesperson, who
claimed he had been suspended by the sect on the suspicion that he was a government informant,
disclosed that the sect had only one spokesperson before the death of their leader, pointing out that on
regrouping they decided on three persons to coordinate the affairs of the sect.

On whether the sect had sympathy for the PDP, he said Boko Haram was only against the ANPP but
would support any other party in Borno State because they believe the party was not capable of meeting
the yearnings of the people. Earlier, the SSS deputy director public relations, Ms. Marily Ogar, had told
journalists that the suspect was arrested through a joint security operation on 3 November, 2011, at
Gwange area, Maiduguri. "On 3 November 2011, about 2030 hours at Gwange area, Maiduguri, Borno
State, a joint security operation led to the arrest of Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, acclaimed spokesman of the
Boko Haram sect widely known in the media as Usman Al-Zawahiri. She said: "He was a political thug
operating under a group widely known as ECOMOG. His arrest further confirms the service position that
some of the Boko Haram extremists have political patronage and sponsorship."

According to her, Konduga has made valuable confession including that he was recruited by a political
party stalwart in Maiduguri, and following the compulsory registration of all SIM cards nationwide, he
was asked to steal a SIM card which he used in sending threat text messages.

Ogar disclosed that the suspect had also confessed that: "The pseudo name, Usman Al-Zawahiri was
given to him by the said politician to portray him as an extremist as well as conceal his true identity. That
one of his benefactors promised to pay him N10 million to work for his party but by stint of fate, he died
on his way to delivering the part payment. That consequent upon this, a serving member of the National
Assembly took over the running of his activities."

The SSS spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect had also confessed he was behind the threat text
messages sent to the judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Maiduguri. She added that his objective
was to ensure that the tribunal removes Governor Shettima Kassim, just as he had confessed to also being
behind other threat messages sent to Governor Sule Lamido and Babangida Aliyu; Ambassador Dalhatu
Tafida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Justice Sabo Adamu.

Ogar further stated that the suspect claimed the threat messages he sent to Justice Sabo Adamu were
scripted and relayed to him by the lawmaker and that the text led to the eventual relocation of the tribunal
from Maiduguri to Abuja. The suspect, she said, had also claimed that the legislator had promised to send
him some telephone numbers of members of the Galtimari-led committee on security in the North-East
before he was apprehended. Similarly, the number and content of the text message sent to the attorney-
general of the federation [AFG] and minister of justice, the suspect said, were also given to him by the
legislator in order to compel him [AGF] to influence the judgment of the tribunal against Governor
Shettima.

She said: "Analysis of Al-Zawahiri’s phone has confirmed constant communication between him and the
legislator," even as she reiterated the service commitment to addressing the current threats posed by the
Boko Haram sect and similar groups in the country including dimensions of political patronage and
sponsorship of such violent groups. In a related development, about 13 suspects have been arrested by the
Joint Task Force [JTF] over the Yobe State bombing in early November where over 65 people were
killed. The committee of Joint Security Information Managers made this known yesterday in Abuja just
as it revealed that 750 illegal refineries have been destroyed by the JTF in Niger Delta Region.

The spokesman of the committee, Navy Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, who briefed journalists, disclosed that
the suicide bombing that was targeted at the security personnel on November 4, 2011 was aborted as a
result of tight security in Maiduguri by the JTF and other security agencies, while all the suicide bombers
died in the failed attempt. He added that, the 13 suspects arrested were currently being held in a detention
facility within the country, while mopping up operation of illegally acquired arms, ammunition and
improvised explosive devices is ongoing and yielding positive results.

He made it clear that the state of insecurity in Borno and Yobe States as painted by some section of the
media was not the true reflection of the situation on ground, saying that normalcy had since returned to
these areas and people were going about their normal businesses. He added that though there were still
some reported cases of crimes, he said the issues were being addressed.

The spokesperson of the committee said that it was not true that two soldiers were killed in Maiduguri,
adding that the JTF did not lose any of its soldiers in the said attack, and commended the good people of
Borno State for their resilience in the face of mindless attack by terrorists and other criminal elements in
the society.

He also acknowledged that there had been remarkable improvement in the passage of information by
members of the public to the security agencies, stressing that they were confident that their collaborative
efforts in this fight would usher in sustainable peace and security in the country. Acknowledging the
commitment of the Joint Task Force [Operation Restore Hope] in the Niger Delta, and the support of
government, he said the problem of insurgency in that area had been laid to rest, adding however, that the
main issue was the economic survival of the country. Commodore Aliyu announced that in the last three
months, the JTF had continued to intensify its operations against criminals who involve in operating
illegal refineries, as well as crude oil thieves and petroleum pipeline vandals.

He disclosed that within a period of three months, the JTF arrested 85 suspects, three vessels, namely:
MV Victor I, MV Omiesam and MV Zia, while the suspects and vessels were arrested in connection with
illegal dealings in crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products of which the JTF destroyed over 750
illegal refineries. He also announced that the suspension of operations around Imo River by a major oil
producing company also drew the attention of the JTF to the area while in the ensuing operation by the
JTF, over 100 barges of various sizes and quantities of stolen and illegally refined petroleum products
were destroyed on the spot. The spokesperson added that even though no arrest was made, the JTF is
determined to sustain the ongoing operation until these crimes are drastically reduced, if not totally
eliminated.
On the Plateau situation, Commodore Aliyu noted that for the past few months, the security situation in
lateau State has been significantly calm, as law and order are gradually returning to the state as the
incidence of wanton destruction of lives and properties has been brought under firm control by the
Special Task Force on ground. He added that to further consolidate on its overall mission of bringing
about peace and security in the state, the Special Task Force, under the supervision of the Chief of
Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin has within the period organized several peace meetings
with various community leaders and heads.

Also, the special task force presence on the streets has remained conspicuous as it has maintained active
patrols throughout its area of responsibility to ensure the sustenance of peace, but added that in spite of
these efforts, there are still pockets of reported cases of armed robbery attacks, car snatching arrests and
recovery of arms and ammunitions. Answering questions on the presence of foreign security operatives
assisting their Nigerian counterparts in the war against Boko Haram, the director of defense information,
Colonel Muhammad Yerima said that the Defense Headquarters is not aware of any foreign security
operatives in Nigeria.

[Description of Source: Abuja Leadership in English - Privately owned daily]

Nigeria: Report Reveals Islamic Sect's Plans To Attack 'Some' Top Abuja Hotels

AFP20111123598003 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 23 Nov 11

[Report by Taiwo Adisa: "Revealed: How Boko Haram Plans To Attack Top Abuja Hotels; Top
Nigerians Too"]
Information at the disposal of high-level government sources has revealed the details of the plan by the
dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to penetrate the security walls and unleash bomb attacks on some top
hotels in the Federal Capital, Abuja.

A number of sources told the Nigerian Tribune that the sect, which recently changed its recruitment
policy by enlisting some undergraduates, also planned to sponsor some of the recruits on intelligence
drives in the major hotels and other targets.

Sources confirmed that the operatives of the sect are being well funded to ensure that they could afford to
lodge in some of the targeted hotels or transact business in the targeted areas.

The essence of the well oiled funding, according to sources, was to ensure that clear cut information is
gathered by the operatives to help in the actual operation.

Sources confirmed that besides hotels, the targets also included embassies and top public office holders.

The said recruits who the Boko Haram sect plans to use in such operations include those who would be
presented as clean-shaven, Western-looking folks, who would not be easily suspected even by well
trained security men.

"The operatives and intelligence men of the group would be well-funded so that they can even lodge in
the best of hotels so that they can easily gather intelligence on how to break the security barriers.

"By lodging in such hotels, they will be able to carry out surveillance on how to carry out operations.
They may carry out checks on lobby areas, the generating set rooms and other operation areas where high
capacity targets could be achieved."

It was gathered that some of the operatives being prepared for future attacks were already trained by the
Al-Qaeda in Islamic Magreb which is in alliance with the group.

A source in the know declared that a certain number of operatives had already been trained by the Al-
Qaeda in Islamic Magreb, which is also said to have secretly smuggled the trainees into Nigeria. "The
United States got hint of the training and they shared the details with the Nigerian authorities who also
stated that they are fully aware of the plot. But the Nigerian authorities were alarmed when the US later
issued a security alert on Nigeria. The Nigerians believed that they were already on top of the situation
and they took offence," a source stated.
Sources also confirmed at the weekend that a team of security experts from the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA), of the United States, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Nigeria and the United
Kingdom's MI5 had launched investigations into the new recruitment drives of the Boko Haram sect.

Sources stated that the US was providing enough assistance with a bit of the information picked from the
investigation of Farouk Abdumutallab, who is in custody in the country.

A source said that the recruitment of some well educated Nigerian youths in the Boko Haram sect project
was becoming a top concern for security operatives both within the country and outside.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigerian Troops in Shootout With Suspected Boko Haram Members

AFP20111123651003 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0937 GMT 23 Nov 11

["Nigerian Troops in Shootout With Islamists: Military" -- AFP Headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Nov 23, 2011 (AFP) - Suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist group opened
fire on troops in northeastern Nigeria, triggering a shootout, but no-one was injured, a military spokesman
said Wednesday.

The gunfight in the city of Maiduguri occurred on Tuesday, the same day a Nigerian senator was charged
over accusations related to his alleged links with a man accused of being a spokesman for Boko Haram.
"The Boko Haram gunmen laid ambush on our patrol team... and the vigilant soldiers were able to detect
them in time and engaged them in a shootout which neutralised the attack," Colonel Victor Ebhaleme told
AFP.

He said no one was hurt as the attackers were forced to abandon their car and fled to avoid arrest.

The radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of bomb and gun attacks in
Nigeria, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in the capital Abuja that killed at least
24 people.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian authorities charged Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume with breaching public trust
and criminal intimidation -- allegations related to his suspected links to Ali Sanda Umar Konduga,
accused of being a Boko Haram spokesman.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- World news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Arrested Boko Haram Spokesman Names Sponsors

FEA20111123024556 - OSC Feature - Leadership 22 Nov 11

[Report by Bayo Oladeji, Uchenna Awom, and Chizoba Ogbeche: "Alleged Boko Haram Sponsorship:
Senator Ali Ndume Arrested"]
Senator Ali Ndume has been arrested last night following allegations that he was one of the sponsors of
the dreaded group popularly known as Boko Haram. He was fingered alongside former Nigeria’s
ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, the late Amb. Sa’idu Pindar by a kingpin of the sect, Ali Sanda
Umar Konduga, aka, Usman Al-Zawahiri who was paraded by the State Security Service [SSS] in Abuja
yesterday as being sponsors of the violent sect.

Though his arrest was not confirmed as at press time, sources said Ndume who is a People’s Democratic
Party [PDP] senator from Borno State and a former Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, was
picked up even before the suspect was paraded and made to speak to journalists at the SSS headquarters.
LEADERSHIP put several calls through to his phone for his reaction to the allegation, but could not get
the calls answered and nor did he reply the text messages sent to him. But the suspect, who spoke through
an interpreter, confessed to having been a member of the sect after graduating as a student of the late
leader of Boko Haram, Muhammad Yusuf. He also admitted being the mastermind behind the threat
messages to the judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to him, the group was totally against the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] and former
governor Ali Modu Sherrif, and wanted to ensure that the tribunal removes the present government in the
state. He said the sect had problems with the government which always made promises and policy
statements without fulfilling them hence, their reaching out to the opposition through the late Ambassador
Pindar of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]. Konduga claimed the late Pindar had informed them that
former President Olusegun Obasanjo was behind ex-governor Sherrif, and encouraged them to send the
threat test messages to him and other Northern politicians including Senator Sanusi Daggash, who he
claimed worked against the victory of the PDP in the state during the governorship election.

He claimed Senator Ndume had provided the numbers to which the test messages were sent but after his
acceptance to be on a committee set up by the administration, the sect members began to question his
loyalty and had to confront the lawmaker. The suspect further explained that the sect had been in good
terms with the former governor who appointed one of their members, Buju Foi, as commissioner for
religious affairs until he was sacked and killed under questionable circumstance. The spokesperson, who
claimed he had been suspended by the sect on the suspicion that he was a government informant,
disclosed that the sect had only one spokesperson before the death of their leader, pointing out that on
regrouping they decided on three persons to coordinate the affairs of the sect.

On whether the sect had sympathy for the PDP, he said Boko Haram was only against the ANPP but
would support any other party in Borno State because they believe the party was not capable of meeting
the yearnings of the people. Earlier, the SSS deputy director public relations, Ms. Marily Ogar, had told
journalists that the suspect was arrested through a joint security operation on 3 November, 2011, at
Gwange area, Maiduguri. "On 3 November 2011, about 2030 hours at Gwange area, Maiduguri, Borno
State, a joint security operation led to the arrest of Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, acclaimed spokesman of the
Boko Haram sect widely known in the media as Usman Al-Zawahiri. She said: "He was a political thug
operating under a group widely known as ECOMOG. His arrest further confirms the service position that
some of the Boko Haram extremists have political patronage and sponsorship."
According to her, Konduga has made valuable confession including that he was recruited by a political
party stalwart in Maiduguri, and following the compulsory registration of all SIM cards nationwide, he
was asked to steal a SIM card which he used in sending threat text messages.

Ogar disclosed that the suspect had also confessed that: "The pseudo name, Usman Al-Zawahiri was
given to him by the said politician to portray him as an extremist as well as conceal his true identity. That
one of his benefactors promised to pay him N10 million to work for his party but by stint of fate, he died
on his way to delivering the part payment. That consequent upon this, a serving member of the National
Assembly took over the running of his activities."

The SSS spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect had also confessed he was behind the threat text
messages sent to the judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Maiduguri. She added that his objective
was to ensure that the tribunal removes Governor Shettima Kassim, just as he had confessed to also being
behind other threat messages sent to Governor Sule Lamido and Babangida Aliyu; Ambassador Dalhatu
Tafida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Justice Sabo Adamu.

Ogar further stated that the suspect claimed the threat messages he sent to Justice Sabo Adamu were
scripted and relayed to him by the lawmaker and that the text led to the eventual relocation of the tribunal
from Maiduguri to Abuja. The suspect, she said, had also claimed that the legislator had promised to send
him some telephone numbers of members of the Galtimari-led committee on security in the North-East
before he was apprehended. Similarly, the number and content of the text message sent to the attorney-
general of the federation [AFG] and minister of justice, the suspect said, were also given to him by the
legislator in order to compel him [AGF] to influence the judgment of the tribunal against Governor
Shettima.

She said: "Analysis of Al-Zawahiri’s phone has confirmed constant communication between him and the
legislator," even as she reiterated the service commitment to addressing the current threats posed by the
Boko Haram sect and similar groups in the country including dimensions of political patronage and
sponsorship of such violent groups. In a related development, about 13 suspects have been arrested by the
Joint Task Force [JTF] over the Yobe State bombing in early November where over 65 people were
killed. The committee of Joint Security Information Managers made this known yesterday in Abuja just
as it revealed that 750 illegal refineries have been destroyed by the JTF in Niger Delta Region.

The spokesman of the committee, Navy Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, who briefed journalists, disclosed that
the suicide bombing that was targeted at the security personnel on November 4, 2011 was aborted as a
result of tight security in Maiduguri by the JTF and other security agencies, while all the suicide bombers
died in the failed attempt. He added that, the 13 suspects arrested were currently being held in a detention
facility within the country, while mopping up operation of illegally acquired arms, ammunition and
improvised explosive devices is ongoing and yielding positive results.
He made it clear that the state of insecurity in Borno and Yobe States as painted by some section of the
media was not the true reflection of the situation on ground, saying that normalcy had since returned to
these areas and people were going about their normal businesses. He added that though there were still
some reported cases of crimes, he said the issues were being addressed.

The spokesperson of the committee said that it was not true that two soldiers were killed in Maiduguri,
adding that the JTF did not lose any of its soldiers in the said attack, and commended the good people of
Borno State for their resilience in the face of mindless attack by terrorists and other criminal elements in
the society.

He also acknowledged that there had been remarkable improvement in the passage of information by
members of the public to the security agencies, stressing that they were confident that their collaborative
efforts in this fight would usher in sustainable peace and security in the country. Acknowledging the
commitment of the Joint Task Force [Operation Restore Hope] in the Niger Delta, and the support of
government, he said the problem of insurgency in that area had been laid to rest, adding however, that the
main issue was the economic survival of the country. Commodore Aliyu announced that in the last three
months, the JTF had continued to intensify its operations against criminals who involve in operating
illegal refineries, as well as crude oil thieves and petroleum pipeline vandals.

He disclosed that within a period of three months, the JTF arrested 85 suspects, three vessels, namely:
MV Victor I, MV Omiesam and MV Zia, while the suspects and vessels were arrested in connection with
illegal dealings in crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products of which the JTF destroyed over 750
illegal refineries. He also announced that the suspension of operations around Imo River by a major oil
producing company also drew the attention of the JTF to the area while in the ensuing operation by the
JTF, over 100 barges of various sizes and quantities of stolen and illegally refined petroleum products
were destroyed on the spot. The spokesperson added that even though no arrest was made, the JTF is
determined to sustain the ongoing operation until these crimes are drastically reduced, if not totally
eliminated.

On the Plateau situation, Commodore Aliyu noted that for the past few months, the security situation in
lateau State has been significantly calm, as law and order are gradually returning to the state as the
incidence of wanton destruction of lives and properties has been brought under firm control by the
Special Task Force on ground. He added that to further consolidate on its overall mission of bringing
about peace and security in the state, the Special Task Force, under the supervision of the Chief of
Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin has within the period organized several peace meetings
with various community leaders and heads.

Also, the special task force presence on the streets has remained conspicuous as it has maintained active
patrols throughout its area of responsibility to ensure the sustenance of peace, but added that in spite of
these efforts, there are still pockets of reported cases of armed robbery attacks, car snatching arrests and
recovery of arms and ammunitions. Answering questions on the presence of foreign security operatives
assisting their Nigerian counterparts in the war against Boko Haram, the director of defense information,
Colonel Muhammad Yerima said that the Defense Headquarters is not aware of any foreign security
operatives in Nigeria.

[Description of Source: Abuja Leadership in English - Privately owned daily]

Nigeria: Boko Haram 'Spokesman' Claims Al-Qa'ida Links

AFP20111124646026 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1347 GMT 24 Nov 11

["Boko Haram 'spokesman' claims Al-Qaeda links"]

KANO, Nigeria, Nov 24, 2011 (AFP) - A purported spokesman for Islamist sect Boko Haram claimed on
Thursday that the group, blamed for attacks including the suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Nigeria,
has links with Al-Qaeda.

"It is true we have links with Al-Qaeda," the man identifying himself as Abul Qaqa told reporters in a
phone conference in the Hausa language spoken throughout Nigeria's mainly Muslim north. "They assist
us and we assist them."

Abul Qaqa has claimed to speak on behalf of Boko Haram on a number of previous occasions. He did not
provide further details on the supposed link.

There has long been speculation, particularly among Western nations, over whether Boko Haram has
formed links with outside extremist groups, including Al-Qaeda's north African branch.
Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks in Nigeria, including the August suicide bombing of UN
headquarters in the capital Abuja that killed at least 24 people.

The group is believed to have a number of factions with varying aims. Nigeria's secret police alleged this
week that some Boko Haram members have links to politicians following the arrest of another alleged
spokesman for the group.

Abul Qaqa refuted the secret police claims during the phone conference.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigeria: Islamic Sect Pledges To Attack Offices of Political Parties Nationwide

AFP20111125565001 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 24 Nov 11

[Report by Lemmy Ughegbe, Njadvara Musa and Isa Abdulsalami: "20 Die in Fresh Plateau Crisis; Boko
Haram Disowns Ndume, Sheriff, Konduga, Threatens More Attacks"]

Fresh violence in Plateau State yesterday led to the death of 20 people and the destruction of property as
Berom natives and Fulani herdsmen clashed at the Barkin Ladi Local Council of the state.

And from the fundamentalist Islamic sect Boko Haram came yesterday what was far from a whimper of a
cringing, defeated foe. It was rather an expression of a steely resolve yesterday as the sect vowed to attack
the offices of political parties nationwide.
In the sect's first public statement since the court convicted its alleged spokesman, Ali Sanda Umar
Konduga, it denied any links with politicians and disowned Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, former
Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and Konduga.

The conviction of Konduga on Tuesday was expected to weaken the sect. But from indications yesterday,
that expectation is far-fetched.

Speaking in a phone interview with reporters yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press
centre in Maiduguri, a spokesman of the sect, Abu Darda said: "What we have been reading on the pages
of newspapers, are not true, because the State Security Service (SSS) is employing Ali Sanda Umar
Konduga to smear the image and reputation of the sect by associating its activities and members with
politicians and parties in the country."

He said that the association of the sect with politicians and political parties was against Islam and the full
implementation of the Sharia legal system in the 12 states in the North.

He said that to prevent further association of the sect with politicians and their parties, the sect would
attack all political party's buildings at the federal and ward levels in the North. It further warned that
failure to revoke the agreements on renting out such offices could lead to the possible assassination of
their owners by the sect before the end of this week.

The Special Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on Media, Mr. Pam Ayuba said that one Inspector of
Police who was dressing for work at Barkin Ladi Police Division was shot dead in his house. A councilor,
Pam Choji Pam, lost four children and his car to the violence.

Since the security agencies could not just shoot at people at random especially when the two warring
sides refused to sheathe their swords, the Special Task Force (STF) immediately imposed a 24-hour
curfew on Barkin Ladi until further notice.

A brief statement by the STF spokesman, Captain Charles Ekeocha, said the measure had become
necessary in order to forestall further destruction of lives and property. "Lives have been lost. Houses
have been burnt. The casualty figure and the number of burnt houses are not yet known. Residents of
Barkin Ladi, by this curfew, are advised to remain indoors as STF has taken this measure to prevent
further loss of lives and property," he said.

Yesterday's attack was a fall-out of the Sunday attack where about seven people were killed in Razat
village of the same Barkin Ladi. There has been tension since that incident.
According to a resident in Barkin Ladi, "I saw armed civilians in the morning who mobilised themselves
and stormed the town. They started burning houses and killing people they met on the road. I don't know
who the people are. But right now, Fulani people are mobilising themselves towards Gashish and Kurra
Falls villages in Barkin Ladi. One Islamiyya school in Barkin Ladi, which belongs to the Hausa/Fulani,
was burnt while about three churches were also burnt."

The Commander of the STF, Maj.-Gen. Olayinka Oshinowo, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel
Dipo Ayeni and other security chiefs have shifted their offices to Barkin Ladi. Cars and pedestrians going
to the town were all turned back because of the curfew.

It was also gathered that the government's project, African Training Centre (ATC) was nearly burnt by the
hoodlums but were prevented while a mobile policeman was allegedly wounded in the encounter.

An eyewitness said that since Sunday, there had been an upsurge of indiscriminate stabbing of people l
eading to heightened tension. People were witnessing casualties being carried to the hospital, prompting
questions as to where the dead were coming from.

According to the eyewitness, "on Wednesday, two people who rode on a motorcycle on Barkin Ladi Road
shot at three passers-by, killing two and wounding one while a stray bullet hit a man who went to charge
his cell phone nearby."

Although the STF spokesman said that there was an uncountable number of burnt houses, the casualties
were not as many as burnt houses. The Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Apev
Jacob said that he did not have the details about what happened in Barkin Ladi because he had not been
briefed.

But Ayeni said that "there is an emergency."

Briefing journalists yesterday evening, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, said that
casualty figures were still being collated and would be made known at the end. He added that 60 arrested
hoodlums had been brought to Jos, pointing out that the cause of the attack was still being investigated.

He disclosed that the Police Inspector who was killed was Dalyop Pinda.
Meanwhile, the trial of Shuaibu Abubakar and five others accused of complicity in the bombing of the
Suleja Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been adjourned till today.

At the resumed trial, a former suspected member of Boko Haram, Ahmed Hassan Ezimakor, revealed
how he assisted six members of the sect to procure detonators and cables allegedly used for the bombing
of INEC and the All Christians Fellowship Mission also in Suleja, Niger State.

Another witness, Mohammed Dalhatu also known as Zimbo also testified before Justice Bilkisu Aliyu
that he procured the detonators and delivered them to Malam Shuaibu Abubakar who is the first accused
person.

Under cross-examination, Malam Dalhatu, however, told the court that he did not know the purpose for
which the detonators and cables were bought by Abubakar and the five other accused persons.

Eleven people, mostly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members died in the bomb explosion at
INEC's Suleja office on April 8, 2011.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

French Commentary Notes AQIM's 'Inexorable Expansion' in Sahel Region

EUP20111125029012 Paris Le Figaro in French 25 Nov 11

[Commentary by Thierry Oberle: "The Inexorable Expansion of Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic
Maghreb"]
The kidnapping of two French nationals at a location near the area where Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the
Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is active has brought back to the forefront a terrorist organization that seems to
have experienced a period of hibernation during the Libyan revolution. No action against Westerners had
been reported since the capture in January of two young French nationals at a bar in Niamey, Niger. That
kidnapping ended in the hostages' death during an assault carried out by French special forces to prevent
the kidnappers from reaching their safe haven in Mali.

AQIM, which has several hundred combatants grouped into katibas (columns,) however pursued a
discreet but very real expansion in the Sahel during the fighting between Al-Qadhafi supporters and the
rebels of the TNC [Transitional National Council]. Its leaders have tried to do develop their strategic
depth debts by forging alliances in black Africa. Ties have been established with the extremists of the
Boko Haram Islamist sect, present in northern Nigeria, where recurrent clashes take place between
Muslims and Christians. Corridors have been established to Somalia, which is prey to civil war, and to
Senegal to facilitate the cocaine trade, one of AQIM's sources of revenue.

The war in Libya has been a most welcome a windfall with a view to strengthening its military
capabilities and establishing political contacts. The looting of the former regime's weapon stockpiles has
created prospects of an attack on an airliner above an airport in the region. A large quantity of portable
ground-to-air Sam 7 missiles has disappeared. These weapons apparently sell for 500 euros each on the
black market. The disappearance of stocks of explosives, and particularly Semtex, could also facilitate
attacks on French interests. "The acquisition of armaments in Libya is entirely normal," Mokhtar
Belmokhtar, one of the leaders of AQIM's Sahel branch recently confirmed to a Mauritanian news
agency.

Half-terrorists, half-bandits

Thanks to ransom payments, these jihadis, half-terrorists, half-bandits, have several tens of millions of
euros to finance their arsenal. This money is also used to buy complicity among the population but also
among officials. "In Mali, anything can be bought -- even a barracks-full of soldiers," according to one
Sahel businessman. Groups travel in small convoys of vehicles across a territory larger than France. The
Tessalit plateau in northern Mali is their currently impregnable stronghold. They have recently installed
fixed armed bases there. But the combatants can travel freely from Chad to Mauritania, without
hindrance.

In September 2010 seven people were kidnapped at Arlit, Areva's uranium extraction facility in northern
Niger. Since then four French hostages -- Daniel Larribe, Thierry Dol, Pierre Legrand, and Mark Ferret --
have been held in the foothills of the Sahara. These prisoners are the subject of discreet negotiations. On
Tuesday a former French soldier involved in these negotiations was shot in the shoulder in mysterious
circumstances. AQIM is demanding, apart from the departure of French troops from Afghanistan, the
release of armed Islamists in several countries and a ransom of 90 million euros. Yesterday's kidnapping
could further complicate the equation.
[Description of Source: Paris Le Figaro in French -- leading center-right daily]

Nigeria: Politicians Flee From Borno State Following Islamic Sect' Threat

AFP20111126565003 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 26 Nov 11

[Report by James Bwala: "Boko Haram: Politicians Flee, Party Offices Deserted; Customs Impound
Military Uniforms at Airport"]

Most politicians have fled their party offices in Borno State following a threat by members of the Islamic
sect, Boko Haram, to attack all political party offices from national to states levels in the country.

Majority of the party offices in the state capital, Maiduguri, were deserted on Friday.

Saturday Tribune correspondent, who went round the offices, noted that the All Nigeria Peoples Party
(ANPP) secretariat along Polo Road and former Governor Sheriff Campaign Office along Kumshe, which
had always been a beehive of activities, had been deserted.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Wulari and the Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC) office at Kofa Biyu where party supporters always converged on, witnessed an unusual calm
except for the few old women selling groundnuts.

Some of them declined comments when our correspondent visited the place, while one lady simply told
Saturday Tribune that, "You know why there are no people, because you are a journalist. What do you
want us to tell you again? Everybody is aware of the reason. So, there is nothing to say."
A stalwart of ANPP in Maiduguri, who did not want his name in print, told Saturday Tribune that "You
are in this state, you know that no political activity is going on. Therefore, it is usual that you cannot find
anybody in the party offices now. When there is a political activity going on in the state, politicians and
party supporters would have to be in the party offices, what you observed is not as a result of the threat,
but a normal trend in political life circle."

But asked on whether the threat by Boko Haram meant anything to them, he said, "Let me tell you the
truth, these our brothers, never mince words. So, if for anything, to comply is the beginning of wisdom,
because nobody can tell anybody that is living in Borno State today what these people are capable of
doing. We live in fear everyday because of their activities," he claimed.

It will be recalled that during a phone interview with journalists in Maiduguri, the spokesman of the sect,
Abu Qaqa, said that whoever tried to stand on their way would surely die.

He also said that the sect had on their death list: President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David
Mark and former Information and Communications Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, amongst others.

Meanwhile, our correspondent also observed that some buildings in Bullumkuttu, Dala Alemderi,
Kumshe, Gwange within the Maiduguri metropolis, which carried political party colours are beginning to
wear a new look, as their owners had ordered re-painting of the properties in compliance with the warning
by the sect on Thursday.

Many houses, where party flags were seen before the warning had gone down at half-mast or completely
removed from poles.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]
Nigeria: Report Analyses Confession of Spokesman of Islamic Sect

AFP20111126565008 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 25 Nov 11

[Report by Emmanuel Enyinnaya Appolos: "Boko Haram:And the Plot Begins To Unfold"]

Emmanuel Enyinnaya Appolos, in this report, x-rays the confession of the spokesman of the Boko Haram
that Senator Ali Ndume is one of the financiers of the Islamic terrorist group. He also ties the confession
to the comment of President Goodluck Jonathan that the government knows those behind the bombings
that have claimed hundreds of innocent souls in the Northern part of the country.

"Let me use this occasion to reassure Nigerians and members of the international community that we now
have strong leads as to those involved in this terror war on Nigeria and Nigerians. I have directed security
operatives to go after them no matter where they may be hiding.

"Also, I am using this opportunity to warn that those who choose to hide under our new freedom to
perpetuate evil against our people shall have no hiding place.

"As President and Chief Security Officer of the nation, I will employ every means and instruments at my
disposal to secure this nation against forces of evil which seek to divide and sabotage our country.

"There shall be no sacred cows in our efforts to expose, contain and defeat this network of terror. I have
directed the review of our national security architecture to lay greater emphasis on intelligence and
citizens' participation in security surveillance."

Those were the words of President Goodluck Jonathan, when he visited the premises of the United
Nations (UN) building in Abuja, after it was bombed by members of the Northern-based Islamic group,
known as Boko Haram.

Although Jonathan never told Nigerians those behind the Boko Haram and its terrorism activities, which
he (Jonathan) said he knows, months after, the spokesman of the group, Ali Sada Umar Konduga, has
named one person as an alleged sponsor of the gang. He is Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who is
representing Borno South Senatorial District in the Senate.
Konduga, who is also known as Usman Al-Zawahiri, was paraded before the press in Abuja, last Monday,
by the Department of State Security Service. He alleged that Ndume is not justly only one of the
financiers of the Boko Haram, but that the Senator masterminded and scripted the threatening text
messages he (Konduga) sent to some prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun
Obasanjo, among others.

After Konduga's confession, Ndume was immediately arrested by the operatives of the SSS and was
charged to court on a one-count of felony the next day.

Now, the question is: With the latest development from Konduga's confession, and the earlier statement
by Jonathan that the government knows those behind the killings of innocent people by Boko Haram, how
ready is the Federal Government under the watch of Jonathan in the fight against terrorism?

Known or unknown to Jonathan that Ndume is part of the Boko Haram as alleged, he appointed him into
the Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East zone, headed by Ambassador
Usman Gaji Galtimari. After the assignment, Ndume even granted interviews, urging the President to
wake up in the fight against terrorists.

Ndume was docked at an Abuja Magistrate's Court last Tuesday, and charged with felony, but he pleaded
not guilty to the charge. He was remanded in the SSS custody until December 6, when the matter is
expected to come up for hearing again.

At the hearing of the matter, the prosecutor, C.I. Osagie, told the court that the accused persons conspired
to commit felony, breach of official trust, criminal intimidation by anonymous communication by sending
test messages to some senior public officials including the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)
contrary to Section 79, 98 and 398 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

The second accused person (Konduga), who spoke through an interpreter, Mustapha Shehu Ismail,
pleaded guilty to the one-count charge and asked the court for leniency as the offence has already been
committed.

He told the court that he had sent test messages to Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Jigawa State
Governor Sule Lamido, Senator Sanusi Daggash, Ambassador Seriki Tafida and the Chairman of the
Borno State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, Justice Sabo Adamu.

The first accused person, Ndume, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him and asked for the
permission of the court to have access to his lawyers and medication, a request that was granted by Chief
Magistrate Oyewumi.
The court, however, convicted the second accused.

While convicting him, Chief Magistrate Oyewumi said: "In view of the plea of guilty by the second
accused person and having failed to show why he should not be convicted, he is hereby convicted for the
offence of criminal intimidation contrary to Section 398 of the CPC."

In granting the request by the prosecution that the sentencing be stayed since investigation was almost
completed and that the accused person be remanded in the custody of the SSS the court said "the accused
are hereby remanded in the custody of the SSS with an unhindered access to their lawyers and doctor.
Matter is adjourned till December 6 for hearing."

The bid by counsel to Ndume, C.I. Nnaemeka, to secure his bail, failed as the court insisted that a formal
application for bail be filed.

Boko Haram had disclosed that it has been able to sustain its activities because it has the financial
backing of prominent politicians from Borno State and other states in the North.

Konduga had in his confessional statement disclosed that the group started as a collection of political
thugs during the regime of former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, but fell out with the governor
when one of their major sponsors, who was a commissioner under Sheriff was dropped from the state
cabinet and later killed by security operatives in a crackdown on the sect members.

According to him, the death of the commissioner was responsible for the opposition of the group against
Sheriff which culminated in the decision to support any other political party against Sheriff.

The war against Sheriff, he said, was the reason for the escalation of blood-shed in the state.

His confession corroborated the claim made by the SSS that a former Ambassador Pinda, who is now late,
became the main financier of the group, when it fell out with Sheriff, as the group was hijacked by
opponents of Sheriff, and used to cause crisis in the state while the battle to unseat Sheriff lasted

The Boko Haram spokesman revealed that the late Ambassador took over the running of the group after it
fell out with Sheriff.
According to Konduga, Pinda died while on his way to the sect's hideout to deliver the sum of N5 million
as part payment of a N10 million running expenses for the group which was contacted to work for his
(Pinda) political party.

According to the SSS, it was after the death of Pinda that Ndume took over the running of the group's
activities.

Although Konduga in his confessional statements before newsmen however, refused to state
categorically, if Ndume was a financier of the group, he admitted that they have a good relationship with
him.

He said his text message communication with Senator Ali Ndume was to ask him why he accepted
membership of the Federal Government committee on the security situation in the North East.

According to him, the escalation of the activity of the Boko Haram in Borno State was to stop the All
Nigerian Peoples Party from winning elections.

He also admitted that a threat text message was sent to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the
ground of his relationship with former governor of Borno State.

He admitted that text messages were sent to everybody that had a hand in the emergence of ANPP in
Borno State and to the Electoral Tribunal.

Also, threat text messages were sent to Senator Daggash, a former Minister of Works for sabotaging the
efforts of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from winning election in Borno State, Al-Zawahiri said.

He, however, corroborated the claim by the SSS that text messages w ere drafted for them with which
they threatened important personalities in the country like former Obasanjo and a host of others.

He also admitted that text messages scripted for him was used on many occasion to threaten the Judges of
the Election Petition Tribunal in Maiduguri with a view to getting the tribunal scared and eventually get it
to sack the present government in Borno State.
According to the SSS, Ndume was responsible for the threat messages sent to the Attorney General and
Minister of Justice by the group, in order to compel him (AGF) to influence the judgement of the tribunal
against the government of Borno State.

The SSS spokesperson, Marylin Ogar, in her statement, said before Konduga was brought before the
press for cross examination, that "analysis of Umar Konduga's (aka Al-Zawahiri) phone has confirmed
constant communication between him and the legislator (Ndume)."

According to her, highlights of some of his (Konduga's) admissions are: "That he was recruited by a
political party stalwart in Maiduguri, Borno State; that following the compulsory registration of all SIM
cards nationwide, he was asked to steal a SIM card which he used in sending threat text messages; and
also that the pseudo name, Usman Al-Zawahiri, was given to him by the said politician to portray him as
an extremists as well as conceal his true identity.

"That one of his benefactors promised to pay him ten million naira (N10million) to work for his party but
by stint of fate, he died on his way to deliver the part payment of five million naira (N5 million) to him;

"That consequent upon this, subject claimed a serving member of the National Assembly took over the
running of his activities;

"That he was behind the threat messages sent to the Judges of the Election Tribunal in Maiduguri. His
objective was to ensure that the Tribunal sacks the present government in Borno State.

"That he was also behind other threat messages sent to Governor Sule Lamido, Governor Babangida
Aliyu, Amb. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Justice Sabo Adamu, Chairman of the
Election Petition Tribunal in Borno State.

"That most of the threat text messages he sent to Justice Sabo Adamu, were scripted and relayed to him
by the National Assembly member.

"That, the threat text messages eventually led to the relocation of the election petition tribunal from
Maiduguri to Abuja.

"Also that the same legislator promised to send him some telephone numbers of members of the Galtimari
committee on Security in the North East before he was arrested; and that the telephone number and
content of the text message sent to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice were also given to him by
the legislator in order to compel him (AGF) to influence the judgment of the tribunal against the
Government in Borno State."

It would re recalled that in press interview he granted shortly after the Galtimari committee had submitted
its report to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ndume said that he was in touch with members of the Boko
Haram.

"Let me say that so many members of the Boko Haram come from my local government. One of the local
governments that is worst affected is my own, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. And even
in Maiduguri, the area they had conflict with the military is called Kalari, Gozari, London Ciki. The
majority of the people there are my people. And this is something that affects me, to some extent, directly
or indirectly. So, we tried to reach out to them, and the room for dialogue is there. They are not even
talking about negotiation. We are talking about dialogue first, to know what the problem is and how we
can get to the second stage of negotiation.

"They (Boko Haram) are conscious of their own security situation. They don't just talk to people anyhow.
I think they have confidence in me. That is why some of them showed up. And we talked." Ndume said.

Ndume, in the interview, said there was no formal interaction between the Presidential c ommittee and
Boko Haram, because the terms of reference of the committee, which initially included the issue of
dialogue, was later removed.

But Ndume said: "as a member of the committee and as a Senator from Borno State where the center of
the controversy is, we established contact with members of the so-called Boko Haram, and they expressed
their willingness to dialogue, although most of them were not very keen or desperate about it. I personally
established contacts with some of them. That was the beginning."

Ndume added that what informed the committee's recommendation is based on the information that we
received from them (Boko Haram).

"They (Boko Haram) want our committee to be expanded or another committee should entirely be
constituted on the issue of dialogue and that it should include these respected traditional and religious
leaders.

"This issue of insecurity in the country or the issue of Boko Haram is more complicated than you think.
There are now three aspects to Boko Haram issues. There is the original Boko Haram. There is the
political Boko Haram. There is the criminal Boko Haram.
"Those who engage in criminality are the criminal Boko Haram. Those who issue political statements are
the political Boko Haram. Those who are the original Boko Haram are those are the followers of
Muhammad Yusuf, headed now by Abubakar Shikkau. He was the second in command."

After the arrest of Ndume by the SSS, a media report that quoted an undisclosed SSS source said: "Based
on the confession of some Boko Haram suspects in custody, we have interrogated Ndume and he has
made a statement accordingly.

"With this development, we hope that Nigerians will appreciate that security agencies are doing our best
to tackle terrorism."

Meanwhile, the Senate insisted that Ndume will face the law.

According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe,
"Senate is well aware and has gotten the same information other Nigerians have gotten about an alleged
claim by a member of the Boko Haram sect concerning a member of the Senate and a member of the
National Assembly.

"The Senate wishes to say clearly that it has always been in the forefront of urging the security agents to
do the necessary job to make Nigeria safe for each and every one of us. Senate wishes to urge the security
agencies to continue their investigations because they have told us that investigations are continuing. At
the end of their investigation, they should come out with their report, if anybody is indicted, they should
go ahead and follow the dictates of the rule of law as enunciated in our Constitution."

With the latest development, Ndume becomes the first high profile figure to be arraigned in connection
with the violence that has taken hold of the Northern part of the country.

After much vilification, the security agencies appear to have woken up to the reality of stemming the tidal
wave of violence and give Jonathan a breather as the president. But, what many Nigerian are asking is: "Is
the President now ready to face the monster, called Boko Haram?" For long, Nigerians have waited with
bated breath at the seeming lack of readiness on the part of the President and his security agencies to
tackle the menace.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]
Nigeria: Islamic Sect Reportedly Attacks Northeast Town in Yobe State

AFP20111127565002 New York Sahara Reporters in English 27 Nov 11

[Unattributed report: "Boko Haram Attacks Geidam Township in Yobe State"]

The islamist militant sect, Boko Haram, today staged a dramatic attack in the northeastern town of
Gaidam in Yobe state. Our sources described the attacks which was still ongoing as at the time of this
report as similar to those of Damaturu three weeks ago.

Those attacks killed over 100 residents as Boko Haram engaged in a campaign of bombing and direct
attacks against christians groups and security agencies, particularly the police.

It could not be immediately confirmed if residents were killed in today's attack in Geidam.

[Description of Source: New York Sahara Reporters in English -- Nigerian Diaspora human rights-
oriented news website; URL: http://www.saharareporters.com]
Al Jazeera.net: Multiple Explosions Hit Nigerian City

GMP20111127966067 Doha Al Jazeera.net in English 1015 GMT 27 Nov 11

["Multiple Explosions Hit Nigerian City" -- Al Jazeera net Headline]

[ Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention ]

(Al Jazeera net) -

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram have bombed a police station, a bank and a beer
parlour in Nigeria's northeastern Yobe state, reports say.

The gunmen, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, bombed the bank and threw explosives into a police station
and a beer parlour in Geidam town late on Saturday, they said.

Gaidam is the hometown of Ibrahim Gaidam, the Yobe state governor. Sulaiman Lawal, state police
commissioner, confirmed the city came under attack, but declined to offer any further details.

Idrissa Galda, member of a local vigilante group, said the attackers kept firing indiscriminately and
residents remained indoors. Details of casualties were still unclear.

"Many people have been trapped in the attacks but it is difficult to say how many have been affected,"
Galda said.

Another resident, Umar Maina, said the attackers engaged the police in a shootout.

"There were three explosions in all, followed by incessant gunshots," Maina said.
Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for multiple suicide, gun and bomb attacks earlier this month in
Damaturu targeting police formations and churches killing 150 people.

The group also claimed responsibility for the August attack on the UN building in Abuja which claimed
24 lives.

[Description of Source: Doha Al Jazeera.net in English -- Website of the Al Jazeera English TV,
international English-language news service of Al-Jazirah, independent television station financed by the
Qatari Government; URL: http://english.aljazeera.net ]

Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram Attack Targets Police Station, Bank, Bar

AFP20111127587033 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1414 GMT 27 Nov 11

["Three Nigerian Policemen Shot in Sect Attacks: Source" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Nov 27, 2011 (AFP) - Three policemen were shot and injured when suspected members
of Islamist sect Boko Haram attacked a police station, a bank and a beer parlour in Nigeria's Yobe state, a
security official said Sunday.

The gunmen threw explosives into a police station and an abandoned beer parlour in the town of Geidam,
160 kilometres (100 miles) from the state capital Damaturu, residents had said.

The attackers, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, also bombed a bank near the police station and carted away
money from its vault.

Six churches, a shopping complex owned by a Christian and 11 cars parked therein were also destroyed
by the assailants, he stated.
During the police station attack the assailants freed detained suspects and set the ;remises ablaze, making
off with arms and ammunition, a senior official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in
Geidam town.

A resident who stumbled while fleeing the scene of the attacks on Saturday also sustained injury, the
source said, adding that the four injured people were being treated on Sunday at the town's government
hospital.

"Three policemen sustained gunshot wounds and a civilian resident also sustained injuries when he
tumbled as he was scampering to safety," the official told AFP via telephone from Geidam.

Geidam is the home town of the Yobe state governo Ibrahim Gaidam.

Seven other shops were also broken into and looted, the source said.

"It was a miracle that no deaths were recorded given the scale of desstruction resulting from the attacks,"
said the official.

Police authorities on Sunday declined to comment on the incident.

The Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for multiple gun, bomb and suicide attacks this month in
Damatur, targeting police and churches and killing 150 people.

The group also claimed responsibility for the August attack on the UN building in Abuja which claimed
24 lives.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Kill Protocol Officer in Borno State

AFP20111128565023 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 0400 GMT 28 Nov 11

[Report by Nazifi Dawud Khalid: "Gunmen Kill Protocol Officer, Herbalist in Maiduguri"]

Some unidentified gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have again shot and
killed a protocol officer, Kala Boro who was working at the Borno state Government House while he was
on his way to his house at the Gwange ward of Maiduguri metropolis at around 9:30pm yesterday.

The gunmen were also said to have killed one Malam Garba Abdullahi, an herbalist in the same attacks.

A resident of the area, Bello Kukawa told Daily Trust that: "The gunmen trailed Kala Boro on his way to
his home and fired several shots at him in his car, killing him at once. After that they proceeded to the
house of an herbalist and also shot him many times in the chest."

Residents were said to have scampered into their homes after hearing sporadic gunshots after which the
operatives of the Joint Task Force quickly deployed to the area and launched a house to house search for
the assailants.

The Borno state Police Commissioner, Mr. Simon Midenda who confirmed the attacks said that the
attackers were three in number and had Kalashnikov rifles with which they perpetrated the crime.

"The killing of the protocol officer brings to three, the assassinated officers who were attached to the
Maiduguri Government House, while a herbalist was equally killed by the sect last March in the series of
killings by the Boko Haram Sect", he said.

The Commissioner urged residents to remain calm saying that security has already been strengthened in
the area and that the police are on the tail of the assailants.
[Description of Source: Abuja Daily Trust Online in English -- Website of the independent pro-North
daily; URL: http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php]

Nigeria's Boko Haram Sect Claims Weekend Bombings

AFP20111128637018 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1334 GMT 28 Nov 11

["Nigeria's Boko Haram claim weekend bombings: 'spokesman'" -- AFP headline]

KANO, Nigeria, Nov 28, 2011 (AFP) - Nigeria's Islamist Boko Haram sect was responsible for a string of
weekend bombings targeting government buildings and churches in Geidam in the northeast, its purported
spokesman said Monday.

Abul Qaqa, who claims to speak for Boko Haram, said in an emailed statement that the sect carried out
Saturday's attacks to protest the "continued arrests" of its members.

"We are responsible for the attacks in Gaidam and such attacks will continue as long as our members
arrested by the Nigerian authorities remain in detention," he said.

Witnesses said sect members armed with Kalashnikov rifles hurled explosives at Geidam police station,
freed suspects and stole arms.

The gunmen then rampaged through town attacking six churches, a high court, a shopping complex, a
local government secretariat, and robbed a bank.
They also bombed an abandoned beer parlour and looted shops, according to a Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence official in the town.

At least three policemen and a civilian were injured in the attacks, according to a security source.

Geidam is the hometown of the Yobe state governor Ibrahim Geidam, and is close to the border with
Nigeria's northern neighbour, Niger.

Earlier this month the sect launched multiple suicide and bomb attacks on police stations and churches in
Yobe's state capital Damaturu, killing at least 150 people.

Police have not given the total number of suspects arrested in connection with recent attacks in Yobe.

"Until all our members in detention are released and the Yobe state government stops intimidating and
harassing our members we will continue carrying out attacks in the state," warned Qaqa.

Yobe is also the home state of slain sect leader Mohammed Yusuf, killed during a Boko Haram armed
uprising in 2009.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]

Nigerian Government Raises Alarm Over Influx of Arms, Ammunition From Libya

AFP20111130598001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 30 Nov 11

[Report by Chris Agbambu: "Gaddafi's Men Moving Arms Into Nigeria -FG; State Police'll Bring
Anarchy -DIG"]

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, raised the alarm on the influx of arms and ammunition from Libya
into Nigeria.

The Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, who disclosed this on Tuesday, while on a maiden
visit to the Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce headquarters, said that security reports revealed that some
of the dissidents of the slain former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, were moving with heavy
equipment and arms into the northern part of the country.

"We are very much aware of the movement of arms and explosives that were stolen from Libya. And I
discussed with the Minister of Defence from Niger recently and he confirmed to me that arms were
coming in. Recently, about 10 trucks entered from Libya and they had to fight them. They killed six
people and seized all the 10 trucks and all of them were loaded with weapons."

He said that anxiety was being expressed on the issue of security of the country's borders, as fears had
heightened about arms coming from Niger and lack of military representation in that country.

Subsequently, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has directed the deputy
concierge to move to Niger, while the government is to set a process in motion to ensure that the
government approves the establishment of Defence attaché for Niger.

The minister disclosed that the fears were genuine but that they were up and doing. "We are doing
something about it; we are working to set up a memorandum of understanding with Niger. And the EU
has just approached that they would also like to work with us. They have fears also of disruption in our
sub-region, if these weapons are allowed to proliferate without challenge. And Mali, Central African
Republic, Mauritania Niger are all coming together to set a joint operation to fight movement of these
weapons."

He said that the government was doing a lot in this area and that with the support of the armed forces
which are the field operators, and with their dedication, "we are going to face the situation and we will not
allow it to deteriorate the security situation in our sub-region."

Dr Bello charged the armed forces and other security agencies to really look inwards; "to look at
ourselves, our attitudes, our methods of operation so that we devise means and ways of combating these
new challenges, as he also promised to involve the military in internal security operations by bringing
them into greater contact with the civil population.

He appealed to senior military officers to consider the civil populace as their friends, brothers and sisters,
saying that to a great extent, they relied on them to get some of the information that they used to plan
their operations.

According to him, when coming in contact, senior officers should talk to their men to be extraordinarily
civil, because military training was geared towards threatening the enemy.

"When you are fighting a war, every citizen of your enemy country is considered an enemy, but internal
security operation is different and we have to re-orient our people to think and behave accordingly," he
said.

Also, he added that it was the aim of the government to transform the Armed Forces by ensuring that they
are always properly equipped and trained.

He said training institutions in the country were of high quality, as evidenced by constant request they
received from other countries, even from outside Africa.

The minister said they had set in motion a process for amending the conditions of service for the Armed
Forces to increase the age of retirement for various positions.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop for the clamour for state police by some states of the federation, the
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for South-South, Mr Mustafa Yesufu, has said such a
development is unnecessary, as it would promote chaos and anarchy in the society.

The DIG, who stated this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Tuesday, while on a working visit to
the state police command, said the pre sent structure of the police force was suitable for the country.

According to him, "Nigeria as a nation has not developed into having state police, those who are calling
for the establishment of state police are simply inviting chaos and anarchy."
Explaining further, Yesufu said state governors were the chief security officers of their individual states,
even as they had given enough support to their state police commands with the provision of security
apparatus like security vans, weapons and financial assistance.

He said allowing state police would mean state government having control over security agencies in their
domains, which, he said, would result in mismanagement. "

On the activities of Boko Haram sect, Yesufu said such a crime was relatively new in the system, adding
that the steps to stem their activities required a collective effort and should not be left to the security
agencies alone.

He, however, called on the members of the public to be vigilant, saying that "note those that buy
ammunition, explosives from you, report strange and funny characters around you. The situation requires
team work and not to be left in the hands of the police alone."

In his welcome address, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, said the command had
concluded arrangements to establish a quick response squad in the state, to ensure that proactive measures
were taken to fight crime with all vigour available to the command, to make the state safe for prospective
investors and the general citizenry.

[Description of Source: Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
daily; URL: http://www.tribune.com.ng]

Nigeria: Adamawa Police Dismiss 2 Officers for Alleged Links With Islamic Sect

AFP20111130598003 Lagos The Guardian Online in English 2300 GMT 29 Nov 11

[Report by Njadvara Musa and Emmanuel Tarfa: "Police Sack Officers for Alleged Links With Bandits;
Assure on Safety in Borno"]

For their alleged role in aiding Boko Haram members and other bandits by supplying arms, two serving
police officers in Adamawa State, Daniel Eliphas and Abubakar Hali, have been dismissed from the
Force.

The move came as the police command in Borno State yesterday assured on the safety of lives and
property, including offices of the various political parties.

The police assurance came after recent threat by the Boko Haram sect to set ablaze the offices.

The police officers who were accused of supplying arms to bandits would also be charged to court for
allegedly stealing of arms belonging to the Adamawa State Police Command.

The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba who stated this yesterday in Yola told
journalists that a retired armourer in the command, Abuna Mainasara and one Stephen Tizhe were also in
police custody and would soon be charged to court in connection with the looting of the armoury.

Shinaba confirmed that some AK-47 riffles, several rounds of life ammunition and magazines stolen from
the armoury were recently discovered from the arrested men.

The police boss who refuted allegations that the armoury was looted by armed robbers, said: "The stealing
was rather carried out by the new Sergeant posted to the armoury who was requested to continue the deal
after the retired armourer left office".

The Police Commissioner stated that investigations were still on to enable them arrest those who bought
some of the stolen arms and ammunition from the armourer and his two Inspector business partners.

In a statement signed by the Borno State Police Commissioner, Simeon Midenda yesterday and made
available to The Guardian in Maiduguri he said:

"Law abiding citizens are hereby advised not to panic on receiving such threats from the sect. But report
to the police immediately without any delay,"
He also assured that prompt action would be taken irrespective of where the threat emanated from.

[Description of Source: Lagos The Guardian Online in English -- Website of the widely read independent
daily, aimed at up-market readership; URL: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/]

Nigerian Police Arrest Scam Gangs Seeking To Profit From Islamist Fears

AFP20111130309006 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1857 GMT 30 Nov 11

["Nigerian scams seek to profit from Islamist fears: police" -- AFP headline]

ABUJA, Nov 30, 2011 (AFP) - Nigerian authorities have arrested members of criminals gangs that
profited from fears of Islamist attacks through scams that involved sending threatening text messages,
secret police said on Wednesday.

Authorities said they had arrested members of four different gangs involved in the scams, which included
sms messages sent to victims informing them they would be assassinated unless they transferred money to
a certain bank account.

Other messages said money must be donated "for the propagation of Islam" or the victims "risk being
bombed", secret police spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said in a statement which named seven suspects.

The arrests come amid a wave of bomb blasts and shootings blamed on the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko
Haram, including the August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in the capital Abuja which killed at
least 24 people.
Prominent politicians and community leaders as well as soldiers and police officers in the country's
northeast, where most of the violence has occurred, have been targeted in assassinations.

Ogar, describing the activities of one of the gangs, said "their sole intent was to instill fear and cause
panic with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public".

Providing an example of a text message, she said: "Someone wants me to assassinate you, but I will spare
your life if you pay a ransom to my Intercontinental Bank account."

"Many highly placed Nigerians have been victims of the syndicate," she said.

Another gang was operated by someone claiming to be the "secretary of Boko Haram", she said. Threats
were sent to a range of politicians, including a senator, according to Ogar.

"He threatened them to donate money for the propagation of Islam or risk being bombed," she said.

"He received various sums of money ranging from 30,000 naira ($186, 138 euros) to 100,000 naira
through a Union Bank account."

She also claimed secret police had arrested the person responsible for threats that led the US embassy to
issue a controversial warning in early November of potential attacks on hotels and other locations in
Abuja.

But an email message allegedly from the suspect that Ogar quoted from was vague and seemed at odds
with the specific and credible threat a US diplomat said had led to the warning.

[Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent
French news agency Agence France Presse]
Nigeria: Northern Group Calls Activities of Islamic Sect as 'National Malaise'

AFP20111201598014 Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English 2300 GMT 30 Nov 11

[Report by Godwin Isenyo: "Why We Can't Tame Boko Haram, by Northern Leaders"]

The pan-Northern socio-political group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday said it lacks the
capacity to tame the dreaded Boko Haram "because their activities are beyond us".

The ACF also told President Goodluck Jonathan not to be sentimental in his handling of security isssues
in the country.

According to the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, "the ACF cannot handle Boko Haram
because it is beyond us, it is a national malaise."

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, Sani noted that the activities of the sect were beyond that
which the ACF could handle just as he admitted that "it has been difficult to make any headway in
reaching a truce with members of the Muslim group because, you are dealing with boys who are ready to
kill themselves."

"The ACF does not receive allocations from government to tackle Boko Haram. We can only make
recommendations and put pressure on government to take action.

"Insecurity in Nigeria is not restricted to the North and people in terrorism are not sponsored because they
are ready to kill themselves.

"So, there is nothing the ACF can do because it is not a regional problem and people should also talk to
the boys and not to continue to blame Northern elders," Sani said.
Speaking further, Sani said that Nigerians should blame themselves for the perceived failures of the
President because "Nigerians voted for him during the April general elections".

"Jonathan became President following the outcome of the elections, so, if he fails or succeeds, it will be
as a result of the voting and not because of any Boko Haram or insecurity in the North.

"It is common place knowledge that our nation is facing difficult times characterised by the spate of
kidnappings, militant activism, ethno-religious crises and recent high incidences of bombings by Boko
Haram," Sani said.

[Description of Source: Isheri Nigerian Compass Online in English -- Website of the privately owned
newspaper close to former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; URL: http://www.compassnewspaper.com]