Nigerias security forces eventually seized the groups headquarters, capturing its fighters and killing Mr Yusuf.His body was shown on state television and the security forces declared Boko Haram finished.A state of emergency was in force in three northern Nigerian states.But its fighters regrouped under a new leader,Abubakar Shekau, and have stepped up their insurgency. In 2010, the US designated it a terrorist organisation, amid fears that it had developed links with other militant groups, such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, to wage a global jihad.Boko Harams trademark was originally the use of gunmen on motorbikes, killing police, politicians and anyone who criticizes it, including clerics from other Muslim traditions and Christian preachers.The group has also staged more audacious attacks in northern and central Nigeria, including bombing churches, bus ranks,bars, military barracks and even the police and UN headquarters in the capital, Abuja.Amid growing concern about the escalating violence, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in May 2013 in the three northern states where Boko Haram is the strongest - Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.Thousands of reinforcements have been sent to Maiduguri but the attacks continue It draws its fighters mainly from the Kanuri ethnic group,which is the largest in the three states. Most Kanuris have distinctive facial scars and when added to their heavy Hausa accents, they are easily identifiable to others Nigerians.As a result, the militants operate mainly in the north-east,where the terrain is also familiar to them.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 09:02:35 +0000
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