A statement today apparently from the Boko Haram militant faction has threatened further attacks on troops as well as a three day ultimatum for Nigerian Christians to leave the northern, traditionally Muslim half of the nation.
“We are giving a three-day ultimatum to the southerners living in the northern part of Nigeria to move away,” said spokesman Abul Qaqa, while warning that troops in the area where the “state of emergency” was declared would be targeted. Nigeria is said to be closing border crossings around the northeast as part of the border closing.
The statement comes after weeks of rising violence across northern Nigeria, including attacks against Christian churches on Christmas. Boko Haram claimed credit for those attacks as well.
The Nigerian government has been increasingly at a loss as to how to tackle the Boko Haram militancy, launching a massacre against the group in 2009 only to see it turn from a machete wielding group of anti-technology zealots into a full scale modern terrorist organization in response. Since then, violence hasn’t been nearly so easy, and abortive efforts to negotiate a settlement have likewise failed.
This is wrong, and I do not support the anti-Christian activities of Boko Haram. They are not acting in keeping with the teachings of Islam, and are causing suffering that need not happen.
these people are somehow telling the Nigerian people the truth the leaders are very much afraid to tell them. The truth is that Nigeria is never one and will never be. The oneness of Nigeria is in the opposite. So what is expected is to find a lasting solution to the problem: To your tent oh Israel.
Looks like diversity is not strength. I think partitioning Nigeria into two countries is the best long term solution. It happened in Sudan.
Hell….. why stop there?
Why not partition it by Linguistic Groups: aboput 10 or so. Or better yet, by Language: estimated at more than 500.
The only matter of concern is Whether Or Not and exactly How all this has impacted, impacts, and has the potential to impact Nigeria's oil production and, even more importantly, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, and Exxon-Mobil profits. Religious and tribal conflicts is but a smokescreen.
Sounds like a job for the United States AFRICA COMMAND (AFRICOM) !!!!!
(Based, in all places, in Stuttgart, Germany.) Go figure.
Bad news for Nigeria. Boko Haram (meaning "foreign education is forbidden") are insufferable nuts!