A United States
congressional panel said
in a report that the
Nigerian militant
Islamist sect, Boko
Haram, poses an
“emerging threat” to
the United States. The
chairman of the
Homeland Security
subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and
Intelligence, Rep. Patrick
Meehan, also said, “The
U.S. intelligence
community must not
underestimate Boko
Haram’s intent and
capability to strike U.S.
interests and most
importantly, the U.S.
homeland.
"There is little evidence
at this moment to
suggest that Boko
Haram is planning
attacks against the
homeland. However a
lack of evidence does
not mean that it cannot
happen.”
The report also pointed
out that Boko Haram
now uses tactics that
are similar to those
used by Al Qaeda. Boko
Haram has used truck
bombs, coordinated
multiple suicide attacks
to hit targets recently.
In August 2011, Boko
Haram claimed
responsibility for the
bombing of the United
Nations headquarters in
Abuja which killed more
than 20 people.