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

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.