Maiduguri (Nigeria): A radical Muslim sect has killed seven people in three separate attacks, authorities said today, following through on threats to continue attacks in a nation overcome by unrest and divided by religion. Two soldiers who were distributing food to soldiers on duty were shot dead today, said Maiduguri police chief Simeone Midenda. Two other people were killed yesterday when gunmen invaded their homes, said military field operation officer Col. Victor Ebhaleme. In Damaturu in nearby Yobe state, gunmen from the sect shot and killed three more people from Chad yesterday, said Yobe state police chief Tanko Lawan.
Authorities blame members of a radical Muslim sect locally known as Boko Haram for all of the attacks which occurred in areas that have seen a heightened security presence. On Dec. 31, President Goodluck Jonathan declared Borno, Niger, Plateau and Yobe states to be under a state of emergency, meaning authorities can make arrests without proof and conduct searches without warrants. He also ordered international borders near Borno and Yobe state to be closed. In a video released last week, a leader for Boko Haram said the government run by Jonathan, a Christian from southern Nigeria, could not handle attacks by the group. "All these things you`ve been seeing happening, it`s Allah who has been doing it because you refuse to believe in him and you misuse his religion and because of that, the thing is more than you, Jonathan," Imam Abubakar Shekau said in the video.
Boko Haram has been blamed for at least 74 deaths in Nigeria since the start of this year alone and at least 510 deaths last year. (AP)
PTI