State of Emergency Declared in Parts of Northern Nigeria Following Attacks
Sat, 12/31/2011 - 21:54 — newsadmin
State of Emergency Declared in Parts of Northern Nigeria Following Attacks
-Masterweb Reports
President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday declared state of emergency in parts of Yobe, Plateau and Niger states, all hit by Christmas Day bombings that left over 40 people dead. Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The group whose name in Hausa language means "western education is sinful" is modeled after Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. It wants to impose sharia law across Nigeria through terror attacks in drawing attention to their demands.
Jonathan also declared state of emergency in parts of Borno, a stronghold of the dreaded Boko Haram. This brings it to a total of four states under the imposed state of emergency. International borders near the affected areas were ordered closed with immediate effect. "What began as sectarian crises in the northeastern parts of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences on our national security, Terrorism is a war against all of us, I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists." Jonathan said in his statement. He said he has directed top security officials to set up a special counterterrorism unit to fight the growing threat by Boko Haram.
In another development, an explosion near a mosque in violence-torn Maiduguri on Friday killed four and injured many. The blast went off shortly after Friday prayers as Muslim faithfuls were leaving the mosque.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Bukar told reporters: "There was confusion following the blast. When the dust settled, I saw four dead people being loaded into a vehicle along with some wounded in the blast." Another witness said: "There was a loud blast near the mosque just after the Friday prayers as people were trooping out of the mosque, everybody scampered to safety, leading to a stampede."
Many have fled Maiduguri fearing attacks by Boko Haram, Christian counter attacks and repressive military raids, with soldiers killing innocent civilians and burning their homes after bomb blasts.
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