Curfew in Bauchi, North East Nigeria Over Religious Clash afp20090727614002 Abuja Hot fm in English 26 Jul 09

"We have received a total of 42 bodies," Awwal Isa, a nurse at Bauchi Specialists Hospital, Bauchi, told Augene France Press (AFP) on telephone.

They were victims of "fighting between security personnel and members of the Taliban," he said.

The two sides exchanged gunfire after a failed dawn attack on a police station in Dutsen Tanshin.

"Our men succeeded in repelling the dawn attack by the Taliban", Barau said, adding that it appeared the assailants "wanted to steal weapons from the police station.

"We have launched a manhunt for other members of the group that have fled", Barau added.

Director of Press Affairs to the Bauchi Governor, Mohammed Maigari Khanna and other top government functionaries were seen at the Police Command Headquarters.

They however, declined to comment on the development, saying the state was studying it and would soon issue an official statement on it.

A source told journalists that about 4.00am over 100 Boko Haram members invaded an Izala Mosques at Dutsen Tanshin and later headed for the police station in the area, attacking it with sophisticated weapons.

The Boko Haram members reportedly chased away the few policemen on duty and forced themselves into the station destroying everything in sight as they made their way towards the armoury , which they, however, failed to break into.

After a distress call by the sacked policemen to the Command Headquarters, a reinforcement of armed policemen, regular and mobile, was drafted to repeal the attack.

The ensuing crossfire escalated, leading to the sacking of residents in the nearby Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Yelwa, and Dan -danko suburbs of Bauchi.

[Description of Source: Uyo The Sensor in English -- Privately owned newspaper published thrice a week]

Nigeria: Activist Describes Alleged Execution of Islamic Sect Leader as 'Scary'

AFP20090804565007 Lagos Daily Independent Online in English 04 Aug 09

[Report by Francis Iwuchukwu: "Govt Must Probe Boko Haram Leader's Killing, Aturu Insists"]

Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, has described the alleged execution of Buji Foi, a leader of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, by the police as "a scary and embarrassing act of reckless extra-judicial killing".

He demanded that the killing "must be investigated until the animals responsible for it are fished out and dealt with promptly according to law".

Aturu made the remarks in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

"There is no doubt that Boko Haram has to be extirpated with as much force as the state can muster and I admit that there can be no kid gloves for the patently illegal and maniacal organisation that wreaked death, and mayhem on peaceful and defenceless persons in the guise of religion.

"But then even in war there are acceptable and unacceptable conducts laid down in municipal and international bills that the cold murder of Foi grisly violated.

"The killers of Foi do not belong in a decent society of rational people. That we licensed such maniacs to bear arms in the first place shows how careless we are as a people and how dangerous our security agencies are.

"How can anyone in his or her right senses kill a suspect who has been arrested in cold blood?"

Aturu urged the Federal Government to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe what he termed the illegal and heinous incident as a matter of urgency.

"We cannot permit cold-blooded murder in the guise of dealing with murderers like members of the sect. It is not an exaggeration to insist that the way and manner Foi was killed is similar to the irrational activities of the sect in all material particular.

"How are we to know if truly Foi was a sponsor or just a political opponent of some powers that be?

"How has his killing after arrest helped our intelligence of the causes of the 'religious' madness?" Aturu asked.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Independent Online in English -- Website of the privately owned independent daily; URL: http://www.independentngonline.com]

Nigeria: Political Party Seeks Inquiry Into Alleged Killing of Islamic Leader

AFP20090804568001 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 04 Aug 09

[Report by Abbas Jimoh: "DPP Calls For Inquiry"]

The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has called for inquiry to unravel the mystery surrounding the alleged killing of Boko Haram Sect leader Mohammed Yusuf by the police.

Acting Director of Media and Publicity of DPP Malam Abubakar Ateeku Yusuf told Daily Trust yesterday in Abuja that Yusuf's killing is uncalled for and a deliberate act of cover up.

"His killing should be investigated because his killing was uncalled for, unnecessary and unfortunate. How can a man who has been training people and gathering arms against the constituted authority be killed immediately by the police, after his arrest and handing over by the army to the police without investigation?" Yusuf said.

He said that the army explored their intelligence and fished out the man, knowing their duty well, without killing the man or harm him but handed him over to the police for investigation.

He said, "Are the police afraid of confessional statement by the police? Are they also afraid of the man mentioning those government and security officials behind him, supplying him with armaments? These and other questions should be investigated by Yar'adua's administration. Nigerians need to know those highly placed people behind him."

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

Nigeria Sets Up Committee To Screen Preachers After Sectarian Violence

AFP20090804646004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1113 GMT 04 Aug 09

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 4, 2009 (AFP) - State governors in northern Nigeria have set up a committee to regulate the activities of religious preachers in a bid to avoid further unrest in the mainly-Muslim region.

The Northern Governors Forum, comprising 19 governors, met in the city of Kaduna late Monday to discuss last week's uprising by an Islamist sect and a subsequent military crackdown which claimed more than 800 lives.

"This forum has resolved to constitute a preaching board that will screen and approve competent Muslim and Christian clergy for evangelical activities," Niger state governor Babanginda Aliyu said.

"Islam means peace and we will therefore not condone any group of people who hide under its canopy to foment trouble and senseless killings in its name," he told reporters.

Nigeria's 140 million population is divided between Muslims, mainly in the north, and Christians, in the south, and 12 of the 36 states adopted Sharia law in 2000.

The Boko Haram sect began a five-day uprising on July 26 over the adoption of Sharia law across the nation.

The governors condemned the uprising which they said affected five northern states, although violence had only been previously reported in four.

"The Forum condemns in totality the sectarian activities of the religious sect called Boko Haram which caused mayhem in the states of Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina and Kano," he added.

Aliyu said the governors would empower traditional chiefs in the region to effectively monitor the activities of religious groups in their areas.

Fighting in last week's uprising was fiercest in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, where the military bombarded the headquarters of Boko Haram and killed hundreds of suspected followers, along with the sect's leadership.

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

Nigerian President Orders Investigation Into Sect Leader Killing

FEA20090805880185 - OSC Feature - Daily Independent Online 04 Aug 09

[Report by Sukuji Bakoji, Baba Negedu, Paul Arhewe, Abdulkareem Haruna and Godwin Egbara: "Boko Haram: We'll Probe Crisis, Yusuf's Death  FG"]

After criticism from everywhere, Abuja has woken up to the impact of the recent mayhem in the North, with Police Affairs Minister, Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, disclosing on Monday that the government will probe the death of Muhammed Yusuf, the leader of the Jihadists who was captured alive and killed in police custody last Thursday.

Lame spoke with journalists in Bauchi, one of the theatres of the violence that also engulfed Maiduguri, Kano, and Potiskum, and took away nearly a thousand lives, with four times that number rendered homeless.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other human rights canvassers have condemned the murder of Yusuf, and that of innocent civilians in the response of troops to the orgy of violence unleashed by Boko Haram, the Islamic sect led by Yusuf, which ravaged the North from Sunday to Thursday last week.

Lame said the government is studying the situation to find out the root cause of the episode.

The initiative sounds flat, however, with the report in Daily Independent on Monday that Islamic clerics and the military said they had for years alerted the authorities about the activities of Boko Haram, without action being taken.

"We will also investigate what caused, and what level of involvement of all those who partook in the sectarian crisis, and we will ensure that areas where we find lapses are corrected - as well as find a lasting solution to these recurring problems which have been happening, especially in this part of the country, for so many years," Lame added.

"We are looking inwards into our security system to see how we can best perfect its functions, and how we can make it respond to this kind of situation effectively.

Lame asked for vigilance from communities, religious leaders, and all Nigerians, arguing that following the law is the best way to live.

"Society must partake in controlling the problems that confront the society, not necessarily the government alone. Society is the area where security is provided while the government is an agent to make sure that we keep our services as best we can, so as to ensure legal and Constitutional processes are in place and executed as best we can."

The 19 Northern states have also resolved to monitor the activities of all religious groups in the zone, in a gambit where traditional rulers will be empowered to enforce laws that regulate such groups.

The Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) issued a statement to this effect on Monday, after a meeting in Kaduna, chaired by NGF Chairman, Mu'azu Aliyu, Niger State Governor.

The statement urged the Immigration Department to be more vigilant about the influx of foreign nationals who are hardline Islamists.

It condemned the activities of Boko Haram, and directed traditional rulers to complement the efforts of institutions that register births and deaths in their domains.

The Governors also resolved that all Northern states should enact appropriate laws to curb sectarian violence.

Aliyu noted before reporters that when people are poor, they are easily manipulated, and the crisis is a wake up call to look at the gamut of problems in the North.

The Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation joined the NGF in condemning Boko Haram, whose uprising "is inconsistent with philosophy and ideologies" of Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto.

Elsewhere, Borno State Governor, Ali Sheriff, met in Maiduguri with Ulamas (Islamic clerics) on the need to establish a committee that would regulate Islamic preaching and crusades in the state.

He urged all stakeholders to brainstorm on ways to prevent the re-emergence of the likes of Yusuf "who brought us pain, suffering, and destruction last week."

He said a Bill for the establishment of the Preaching Census Board (PCB) is being sent to the state House of Assembly, and all the 27 councils in the state should provide at least three knowledgeable Islamic clerics for the PCB.

Maiduguri remained calm Monday as police conducted street patrols in armoured vehicles filled with armed personnel.

Security agents also guarded key intersections and searched passers-by.

Security Team Commander, Colonel Ben Ahanotu said: "There are lots of them (sect members) still around. But only a few of them are still dangerous."

Police Spokesperson, Isa Azaza, confirmed that 20 members of Boko Haram are in custody.

A Red Cross Official, Muhammad Barma, noted that "so far a total 780 dead bodies were picked from the streets of Maiduguri (alone) and given a mass burial at three sites in the city."

In neigbouring Adamawa, Police Public Relations Officer, Altine Daniel, said the road blocks mounted in all the 21 councils of the state will be maintained until further notice.

Police patrols and surveillance have been intensified, particularly in towns on the border with Cameroon, he added.

Click here to view a 36-second video of President Yar'Adua announcing the probe.

[Description of Source: Lagos Daily Independent Online in English -- Website of the privately owned independent daily; URL: http://www.independentngonline.com]

Nigeria: Security Agents Uncover Another Sect Opposed to Western Education

AFP20090805583001 Ibadan Nigerian Tribune Online in English 05 Aug 09

[Report by Okey Muogbo: " Another Boko Haram Sect Uncovered - As Manhunt for Boko Haram's Sponsors Continues - Kano Businessman Implicated - Yar'Adua Orders Probe Into Boko Haram Leader's Death "]

As part of the efforts to nip the activities of dangerous sects like that one led by Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the Boko Haram sect in the bud, Nigerian Tribune has been informed that security agents have uncovered another sect that is opposed to Western education and way of life.

According to the sources, the sect is based in Niger State and although it shares the same philosophy with the Yusuf's group, it was learnt that the Niger State group is not violent, "at least for now," said one of the sources.

According to the source, security agents are keeping an eye on the new group because "that was how the Yusuf's group started as a non-violent group in 1995, then under the leadership of one Abubakar Lawan.

"But as soon as the founder left for further studies, Yusuf took over and turned the group into a violent sect that shook the nation," the source added.

Meanwhile, as the crisis caused by the activities of the Boko Haram Islamic group begins to die down, security agencies are said to be closing in on sponsors of the militant religious group.

Top ranking government officials revealed, on Tuesday, that one of such sponsors (names withheld) has been identified in Kano State.

The man, described as a wealthy businessman, was said to have freely sponsored the sect members many times in the past, including sending them on training outside the country.

The sources also disclosed that there were proofs of huge financial transactions between the businessman and late Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of the Boko Haram sect.

It was also gathered that security agents had closed in on a number of highly placed members of the society in parts of the far north of Nigeria.

The sources said that the backers of the murderous sect were mostly politicians, who needed the sect members' violent disposition to achieve their political and in some cases, economic ends.

It was gathered that the sect, though an Islamic group, it was not popular among the majority of mainstream Muslim clerics and its disposition to violence made them very useful to politicians.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that apart from the sponsors, the government is still keeping watch on members of the sect across the North who have not been killed or arrested as they could regroup and launch fresh attacks because of their fanatical commitment to the ideals of the sect.

It will be recalled that reports claimed that Yusuf's group had about 1.5 million members in Nigeria.

It was believed in security circles that part of the farm was used to train and indoctrinate members of the sect locally.

The source lamented that the greatest problem facing security agents was how to get politicians in power and authority to act on security report to save the country from crises like the Boko Haram's.

Meanwhile, President Yar'Adua has vowed to probe the killing of the Boko Haram leader, Yusuf, in Maiduguri.

The president, gave the assurance in Abuja, on Tuesday, when he addressed a joint media briefing with visiting Beninoise president, Mr. Boni Yayi.

He disclosed that he had already ordered a probe into the killing after the sect leader's men were crushed by security agents and the leader allegedly arrested and killed.

The president, who was commenting for the first time on the incident, said he had directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to co-ordinate the probe into what transpired during the crises and report to him before the week ran out.

Yar'Adua said: "This is an incident that will be investigated, together with all the events that have happened. Yesterday, I directed the NSA to carry out a post-mortem with the security agencies as a first step so that we can have a full report of what happened during the crisis, including how the leader of Boko Haram was killed, the circumstances under which he was killed."

According to him, the position of the Federal Government was very clear on the issue of the rule of law, right from inception, pointing out tha t his personal belief and strong commitment to it were also known to all government functionaries.

"I have been emphasising since this administration came into power on our uncompromising stance on the rule of law and everybody in this country, and all the officials, are aware, clearly and unambiguously, of the stance of this administration on the rule of law and, indeed, my personal commitment and firm belief that it is the rule of law that will anchor good governance and progress in this country," he further stated.

He, however, insisted that his government would not rush into taking action on the matter until the result of the investigation had been known and confirmed.

"Now, it is after we get this report, which I hope before the end of the week, the NSA will make available this report. Then we will examine this report to determine what actions to take, whether we need to carry out further investigations into the entire matter, because it is really a very serious issue," he added.

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

Nigeria: President Promises Sect Leader Case To Be Investigated

AFP20090805678001 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 0753 GMT 05 Aug 09

KANO, Nigeria, Aug 5, 2009 (AFP) - The Nigerian army insisted on Wednesday that it handed over Islamist sect leader Mohammed Yusuf alive to the police last week before he was killed under controversial circumstances.

Colonel Ben Ahonotu, the commander of the operation that led to Yusuf's capture in the northeastern city of Maiduguri last Thursday, said the sect leader was interrogated by a senior military officer before the handover.

"I personally arrested Yusuf and handed him over to the police after a short questioning the same day, only to be told that he died in a shootout," Ahonotu told AFP.

"A senior military officer conducted the interrogation of Mohammed Yusuf," he said without disclosing the identity of the army officer.

Police have denied that the Boko Haram sect leader was killed while in their custody, saying he died in a crossfire with security forces while trying to escape.

Yusuf, 39, was killed after security forces crushed an uprising last week by the self-styled Taliban fundamentalist group in several northern states.

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

President Umaru Yar'Adua said Tuesday he had ordered an investigation into the uprising and the controversial killing of Yusuf, 39.

"This is an incident that will be investigated together with the overall events that have happened," he said in response to reporters' questions about his reaction to Yusuf's killing.

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay and rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on the government to investigate the security forces' role in the violence.

Pillay called "upon the government of Nigeria to fully investigate all incidents and hold those responsible to account" and to ensure "every effort should be made to avoid unlawful killings".

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

Nigeria: Afenifere Condemns Extra Judicial Killing of Boko Haram Leaders

AFP20090805614003 Abuja Cool FM in English 0545 GMT 04 Aug 09

Afenifere Renewal Group [ARG] has called for a probe into the alleged killing of Islamic sect leader, Boko Haram, Sheikh Yusuf Mohammed, by the police.

ARG National Publicity Secretary Yinka Odumakin who faulted the action of the police in what he described as extra judicial killing said even a common criminal in a democratic system deserve a due legal hearing.

Mr Odumakin told correspondent Judges Adebayo that the killing was a ploy to distract attention from sponsors and master minder of the sect.

[Description of Source: Abuja Cool FM in English - privately owned, independent radio]

Nigeria: Niger State Seeks Yar'Adua's Advice To Act Against Islamic Sect

AFP20090805578008 Abuja Daily Trust Online in English 05 Aug 09

[Unattributed report: "Niger Alerts on Dar-el-Salam Sect"]

The Niger State government has written to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua seeking advice on the actions of an Islamic sect called Dar-el-Salam which exists in the state.

According to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barrister Adamu Usman, who spoke to our reporter after a joint security meeting with six emirs in attendance, the state government is waiting for instructions from the Federal Government on the proper line of action to take. He added that the sect is a made up of Nigerians and foreigners.

He explained that the sect is at the Mokwa axis, which is one of the volatile parts of the state, saying their presence since 1992 had been a source of concern as the mode of their operation contravenes the doctrine of the rule of law.

"The Dar-el-Salam sect has over 2000 people and as a government, we are concerned more that the Boko Haram case is unfolding. So we have written to the Federal Government notifying them of our intention to look into their activities and we are waiting their response for one week before we move in", he said.

He said already, security agencies in the state had been placed constant stand by in readiness to check any form of upheaval that may degenerate into loss of lives and property in the state.

He explained that the security meeting also looked into the issue of laws guiding the Islamic preaching law of 1989 with the aim of giving it full legal strength to perform its mandate of screening activities of practicing the religion with the aim of enforcing compliance with the law.

Usman said that as part of efforts to check any possible violence from sects in the state, any preacher who operates without the approval of the law would face severe sanctions.

"The idea behind reinforcing the preaching law is to ensure that there is compliance with set standards by the state on the practise of Islam. Anyone who fails to pass through the approval of the law and proceeds to preach will be arrested", he said.

In a related event, the Niger state police command has arrested 43 people of different nationalities in the state.

According to the state Commissioner of Police Mr Mike Zuokumor the police had to make the arrest based on suspicion, stressing that they had to be interrogated to know where and what they were doing.