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

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.