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

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.