Nigeria forces storm sect mosque

30 July 2009

Nigerian security forces have stormed a mosque where militants from an Islamic sect blamed for days of deadly violence have been hiding out.
Reports say scores of fighters were killed in the assault, which came after a third night of gun battles in the northern city of Maiduguri.
Many of the militants have now fled, attacking police stations on their way.
The group, known as Boko Haram, wants to overthrow the government and impose a strict version of Islamic law
The assault by the security forces came after 1,000 extra soldiers were drafted into the city.
Army commander Major General Saleh Maina told the Associated Press that the deputy leader of the sect was killed in the bombardment, which continued on Wednesday
But he said Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the group also known as "Taliban", escaped along with about 300 followers.
An AP reporter who watched the storming of the mosque counted about 50 bodies inside the building and another 50 in the courtyard.
'All necessary action'
Army spokesman Chris Olukolade told the BBC's Network Africa programme that law and order had now been restored in Maiduguri.
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"The enclave of the people causing the problem has been brought under better control and in a short while we believe that everyone will be able to go about his normal duties in that area," he said. source: bbc.com

Posted by News Point at 4:43 AM  
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