Boko Haram’s Dangerous Expansion into Northwest Nigeria

During the past year, the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has expanded from its traditional area of operations in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State and is now capable of conducting attacks across a 900-mile breadth of northern Nigeria, including in the strategic state of Sokoto.[1] Due to Sokoto’s geographic location and religious significance—Sokoto is home to Nigeria’s highest Islamic authority, the sultan of Sokoto[2]—it is the focal point in Boko Haram’s strategy to purge northern Nigeria of its traditional Islamic leadership. Boko Haram’s primary goal is to establish Shari`a law in Nigeria by force and to “dismantle” the Nigerian government and its secular institutions.[3] Sokoto is also only 300 miles from “Azawad,” the separatist region of northern Mali that is now under the control of al-Qa`ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar Eddine and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO).[4] This makes it a natural entry point for AQIM militants to infiltrate Nigerian territory by way of Niger. In 2012, the North-West zone[5] suffered a coordinated series of Boko Haram attacks, including the first ever attacks in Sokoto on July 30. The region also witnessed AQIM-style kidnapping operations. This article analyzes Boko Haram’s attacks in Sokoto and its broader offensive in the North-West zone, how the group’s strategy toward the sultan and traditional Muslim rulers has bred dissent within its ranks, and whether AQIM has infiltrated the North-West zone through alliances with breakaway Boko Haram factions. North-West Zone Offensive Reaches Sokoto On July 30, 2012, Sokoto became the third state in Nigeria’s North-West zone to suffer from major Boko Haram attacks since January 2012. The attacks, the first carried out by Boko Haram in Sokoto, were not without warning. On January 20, 2012, approximately 100 Boko Haram fighters launched an offensive on government buildings and police stations in the North-West zone’s most populous state, Kano, killing an estimated 186 people, more than 150 of whom were civilians.[6] Afterwards, Boko Haram’s spokesman said in a phone statement that “this is an open message to the amir of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III…What happened in Kano will be inevitable in Sokoto unless you intervene and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of our members who were specifically arrested in the city of Sokoto.”[7] Several months later, Boko Haram launched major attacks in the second most populous state in the North-West zone, Kaduna, which is in the Middle Belt region where the Muslim northern and Christian southern regions of Nigeria meet.[8] On Easter, April 8, at least one suicide bomber in a vehicle detonated explosives near a church in Kaduna, killing 41 people.[9] On June 17, Boko Haram members detonated explosives near three other churches in Kaduna, including one vehicle suicide bombing, killing 19 worshippers during Sunday services.[10] On July 30, Boko Haram fulfilled its January threat and attacked Sokoto. Two suicide bombers in vehicles detonated their explosives at the office of the assistant inspector general of police at the zonal police headquarters and the Unguwar Rogo divisional police headquarters simultaneously. Later that day, while most residents in Sokoto prepared to break the Ramadan fast, Boko Haram fighters on motorcycles fired shots at the Arkila police station.[11] On the same day in Kaduna, suspected Boko Haram members on motorcycles fired gunshots at the home of Nigeria’s vice president, Namadi Sambo, in Zaria, Kaduna, killing one civilian.[12] Claiming the attacks in Sokoto, Boko Haram’s spokesman said on August 1, “We wish to extend our profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for giving us the opportunity to fulfill the promise we made [after the January 20 Kano attacks] on launching spontaneous attacks in Sokoto…We attacked Sokoto because many of our brethren have been incarcerated there.”[13] The assault on Sokoto continued on August 6, when suspected Boko Haram members on motorcycles threw grenades at the Shagari police station, which is located next door to the residence of Nigeria’s former president, Shehu Shagari.[14] The attacks in the North-West zone show that Boko Haram now operates throughout the 900-mile breadth of northern Nigeria, from Boko Haram’s original base in Borno State in the far northeast to Sokoto State in the far northwest.[15] Moreover, the dispersal of Boko Haram fighters from the northeast is likely to gain pace as a result of the security forces crackdown in Borno, Yobe, Kano and Adamawa states since September 2012, in which more than 200 fighters have been killed or arrested, including five high-ranking members.[16] Message to the Sultan As part of its “grand plans to Islamize Nigeria,” Boko Haram seeks to transfer religious authority from the sultan of Sokoto and other traditional leaders to Boko Haram’s religious leaders through a campaign of intimidation and assassination.[17] At the same time, the sultan has shamed Boko Haram for “violating the sanctity and honor of Muslims,” while calling for “peaceful coexistence” between Christians and Muslims, an “end to the bloodshed,” and for “dialogue and communication” to address Nigerian Muslims’ grievances instead of “wreaking havoc on society.”[18] Two of the closest government officials to the sultan have also attempted to lead negotiations: Sambo Dasuki, Nigeria’s national security adviser and a cousin of the sultan, who in July 2012 contacted amirs, Islamic scholars and moderate Salafists to help broker a cease-fire, and Namadi Sambo, who was the top government representative in secret negotiations held in Saudi Arabia in August 2012.[19] Yet Boko Haram’s primary leader, Abubakar Shekau, has not participated in Dasuki’s or Sambo’s negotiation attempts

APC demands consistency on Boko Haram "negotiations"

Lagos - The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the federal government to desist from allegedly issuing conflicting statements concerning the ongoing efforts to find and rescue the schools girls abducted by Boko Haram. In a statement by the its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC argued the alleged conflicting statements credited to top government officials over the conditions given by Boko Haram for releasing the girls were “totally unwarranted” and could send the wrong signal to the insurgents and hinder the efforts to ensure the safe return of the girls. The opposition party said while Interior Minister, Abba Moro, and Senate President, David Mark, said the government would not negotiate the release of the girls, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, and Special Duties Minister Taminu Turaki hinted that the FG will “do whatever it takes to free the girls, meaning that all options are on the table.” To compound matters, APC alleged, President Goodluck Jonathan was widely quoted in the local newspapers Thursday as saying the government would not release the incarcerated Boko Haram members in exchange for the girls. “'This kind of utter confusion is a window deep into the inner workings of the federal government as far as this critical issue of finding and freeing the girls is concerned, and it is unfortunate,” stated APC. “This is the kind of befuddlement that has characterized the FG's response to the Boko Haram crisis and led to a sorry pass where a nation widely acclaimed for its global peacekeeping role is now at the receiving end of global efforts to save it from itself.” There has been international outcry following the kidnap of the schoolgirls at a government school in Chibok, Borno State.

Opara wins Nigeria’s first medal in Glasgow

Nigeria began on a good note yesterday at the ongoing Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland as the country won her first medal in weightlifting. Youthful Nkechi Opara gave Nigeria her first medal when she won a bronze medal in the Women 48kg weight class. She lifted a total weight of 162kg behind the duo of India’s Sanjita Khumukcham and Mirabai Chanu Saikhom who won the gold and silver respectively at the Clyde Auditorium. Nigeria’s flagbearer Marya Usman leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow on July 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO Opara making her debute in the sport competed alongside, Khumukcham who began her weightlifting career in 2006 in Manipur, India and won her major cap at the 2011 Asian Championships in Tongling, China hauled a total lift of 173kg while Saikhom who emerged Best Lifter at the 2013 Junior National Championship in Guwahati, India lifted a total weight of 170kg to settle for the silver medal. Nigeria topped the weightlifting medal charts in 2010 edition with five gold, four silver and five bronze followed by Samoa (3, 0, 0) and India (2, 2, 4). This time also, India, with six lifters from 2010 Games, are likely to maintain that level of performance. Nigeria’s preparation was not too good as lack of funds did not allow them go for foreign training and exposure. They have, however, named a strong squad, including 2010 63kg gold winner Obioma Agatha Okoli. India had done exceedingly well in the 2013 Commonwealth Championships in Johannesburg last November. Many Indian lifters are among top three of the latest Commonwealth rankings. 2010 CWG gold medallist in men’s 69kg, K Ravi Kumar is again in the team but he is competing in 77kg this time, and is not expected to win gold in his new weight category having laid low for a long time due to injury. Khumukcham Sanjita and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu are competing tomorrow in women’s 48kg and India has the chance to win two medals from this category. This has been a strong category for India since the days of Kunjarani Devi. India had won a silver and bronze in this category in 2010. The Indian duo will have a strong competitor in Chika Amalaha of Nigeria, who had won silver in 53kg in Commonwealth Championships, but is competing in 48kg class.

watch out for the Ebola virus

"The news in town is that there is a suspected case of the Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos already. Experts are still working to establish that it is, indeed, Ebola infections. However, they are worried that the virus, which has been ravaging different regions in West Africa — including Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea — is getting closer to Nigeria. For all we know now, the deadly virus may have entered the country as persons from these regions dash in and out of the country with questionable ease. The World Health Organisation describes the EVD as a viral haemorrhagic fever and one of the most virulent viral diseases known to humankind. So far, between January and June this year, more than 500 persons have died from the disease in Africa. Ebola is regarded in the medical world as the deadliest virus on earth, not only because it has no known cure, but also because it is one of the world’s lethal infections: it could kill within hours or few days of symptom, whether an infected person gets treatment or not. The initial symptoms of the viral disease can include sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and sore throat; and it can later progress to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, internal and external bleeding. Scientists note that the fearful aspect of the disease is that it is highly infectious. It has killed both doctors and patients while they were receiving treatment. It does not respond to any vaccine. It can live in the body system of an infected person for two days to three weeks without any symptoms. It is difficult to diagnose. Experts note that by the time the symptoms start to manifest in an infected person, it is often too late to stop the spread of the virus through vital organs of the body. The best treatment affected persons get is therapy. Veterinarian virologist and President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, notes that Nigeria is at risk of an outbreak of the Ebola virus, considering its proximity to affected countries in West Africa. He says, “For it to have spread from Guinea to other places, it means that every country is at risk. As long as there is travel between countries, we are liable to exposure to whatever they carry.” We cannot afford to be nonchalant about this disease that is killing West Africans every other day. Tomori counsels residents and health care professionals to be more vigilant than ever. The scientist warns that they must increase their level of suspicion whenever a patient or an individual presents with any of the symptoms of the disease. Tomori advises that people with an unusually high fever and weakness of the muscles be quarantined till they are properly diagnosed by a physician in order to check the spread of the disease. He states, “Anybody that has yellow fever and has gone for treatment and there is no response, should quickly report to the hospital. And if anybody comes into this country from that part of West Africa, they need to be monitored for about two to three weeks if they develop fever, because this could be due to the incubation period of the disease.” Without being told, an Ebola outbreak in Nigeria with a population of 170 million people who live mostly in crowded cities would be disastrous. While we wait for the Federal Government to do the needful by ensuring that our borders do not warmly welcome those carrying this virus from affected countries, we must take precautionary measures to prevent infection should a Nigerian be infected already. Ebola Virus Disease is spread through humans; however, its main host has been found to be fruit bats and infected exotic animals such as chimpanzees, monkeys and other game meats that live with fruit bats. The World Health Organisation has sent a warning to those living in high risk areas such as West Africa not to eat bush meat for now. The WHO states that hunters and consumers of meats of monkey, chimpanzee and other exotic animals in the West African region where the disease broke out could contact the virus through infected bush meats and fruits bats. The global body also advises health workers to be at alert; wear personal protective equipment, observe universal basic precautions when attending to suspected or confirmed cases, and report to the local health authorities immediately. Since the virus is spread through fruit bats, experts recommend that one must wash fruits and also disinfect them with mild antiseptics such as vinegar before eating them. Other measures, which include washing of hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and ensuring that objects used by the sick are decontaminated and properly disposed, are also meant to reduce the risk of infection."" NB: please take these warnings to heart, as a Sierra Leonean doctor has been infected with the virus while treating patients; and three of his colleagues have died from the infection!

Gen. Buhari releases statement on today's attack, says it was an assassination attempt

General Buhari has released a statement on today's attack on his convoy in Kaduna, describing it as a clear assassination attempt. Find the statement he signed himself below....
"I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today along Ali Akilu Road, Kawo – Kaduna about2:30pmon my way to Daura.
The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car but was blocked by my escort vehicle. We reached the market area of Kawo where he took advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly denoted the bomb which destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.Continue...Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle I saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business who became victims of mass murder.
Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries – they have been treated in hospital and discharged.
Signed: General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) GCFR”

No plan to remove Ajimobi, say Oyo lawmakers

The Chairman of the Oyo State Parliamentary Caucus, Fatai Salam, said on Wednesday that there was no truth in the rumour making the rounds that 24 members of the House of Assembly had served Governor Abiola Ajimobi an impeachment notice.
He added that the governor had not committed any sin that warranted such a treatment.
Tension rose in the state early on Wednesday as the social media was awashed with the rumour while some people claimed that a Lagos-based television station had mentioned the impeachment notice in its breaking news bar.
But speaking at the Conference Hall of the Assembly Complex, on Wednesday, Salam said the assembly would continue to work in harmony for the good of the state. Ten other house members were with the caucus chairman in the hall.
“There had not been any allegation of misconduct levelled against the governor that can warrant notice of impeachment. The House is even on recess and expected to resume on August 28. This 7th Assembly since inception has been enjoying good relationship with the executive and have no plan to disrupt the existing peace in the state.
“Since this administration assumed office, we have been having good and smooth relationship with the governor. The 32 members have been having everything in a very civil and civilised way. There has never been any issue that could spark the rumours being peddled around.
“In our operations, the house has been having good relationship with the executive arm of government and the governor, and nothing that is going on can get to the level of impeaching the governor.
“I want to tell the people of Oyo State and the whole world to disregard the news that the House is planning anything against the governor of the state. One of the paramount things, which are very vital to the desire of the state House of Assembly, is to ensure peace in the state,’’ he said.
Attempt by our correspondent to get the House Minority Leader, Rafiu Adekunle, was not successful as he did not pick the call or respond to a text message sent to his mobile line.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, said the reported union between lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Accord Party, which could trigger an impeachment plot against Ajimobi, was not true, describing it as “a child’s play and mere insinuation.”’