Riot police deployed in a northeast Nigeria state Wednesday against a radical Islamic group accused of attacking two police stations and taking over a public school building. One policeman died in last week’s attacks at the districts of Geidam and Kanamma in Yobe state, residents said. Sect members took arms and ammunition in the raids on the police stations. Some sect members have retreated to a primary school in Geidam, raising flags bearing the word "Afghanistan," residents said. Police spokesman Femi Oyeleye confirmed Wednesday that the government had sent about 70 riot police to Yobe state to help end the group’s takeover. "There has been a directive that action be taken to dislodge them," Oyeleye said. Police declined comment on the reported death in last week’s raids, and refused to give other details.
Residents said more than 200 people attacked the police stations. Most or all of the group’s members are Nigerians. Little is known of the sect, including its name. Zubeiru Tanko, a resident of Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, told The Associated Press that the group moved into Yobe from neighboring Borno State about four months ago. Tanko said the sect included university graduates as well as unemployed yoots youths. Members in recent weeks had distributed leaflets accusing state Gov. Abba Ibrahim of failing to adhere to Shariah, or Islamic law, he said.
| "Yeah! He ain't cut nobody's head off!" |
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has a largely Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south. A dozen northern states, including Yobe, began formally adopting Shariah three years ago.
| Things have gone downhill ever since... |
Tensions over implementation of the Islamic code are blamed for helping to fuel Muslim-Christian violence that has killed thousands since. |