WHO ARE BOKO HARAM?

Book Haram are Islamic sect based largely in the North Western part of Nigeria. Their leader was one Mallam Muhammad Yusuf, until he was killed in a questionable circumstances.

Yusuf was born in Girgir village of Yobe State. The Boko Haram group started as Sahaba group in 1995. The main leader of the group then was one Abubakar Lawan who later left for the University of Medina to study, when he left, the older clerics conceded the leadership to Yusuf, who was young and versatile man.

But immediately Yusuf took over, the doctrine of the sect changed and he abandoned the older cleric and came up with Boko Haram. At the initial stage of their growth, the sect was entrenched in Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe and Kano States, but now have covered virtually all northern states and are advancing their frontiers to other parts of the country.

Muhammad Yusuf, because of his brilliance was a favorite student of Sheik Jafar Mohammed, the highly influential and well known preacher who was shot dead in Kano by gun men while leading the dawn prayers in his mosque on the eve of 2007 general election. Yusuf later fell out with his mentor Sheik Jafar, even before his death.

On at least seven occasion, teacher and student met, sometimes one on one at other times in company of third parties, with the aim of ironing out their differences, on other occasion, several other clerics also tried to dissuade Yusuf from his rigid ways. On most of those occasion, the student gave the impression that he would mend his ways, yet no sooner did he return to his base than he reverted to his condemnations of all things western, often he went even further by more or less declaring his counselors apostates. Yusuf had severally described his groups as non-militants, but simply a group of youths who are bent on upholding the words of Allah. He warned that they will rather die than to succumb to the present corrupt system in the country. That they vowed to continue to fight the authorities and their accomplices until they succeed or die in the process.

THE NAME

Although the group has come to be popularly known as Boko Haram, it is not clear whether the group actually called itself by this name. some called them Yusufuya sect. but some called them Jamaatul Takfur Wal Hyra Ahlus Sunna, some still called them Khawaarji and some called them Jamaatu Alhlissunnah Lidda’awatiwal Jihad, which they approved oof.

Book itself is the Hausa name for western education. It was derived from the word “Boka” or sorcerer. As years rolled by, though and the educated elite took charge of things and (initially) did a good job of it. Book became a respected word in the Muslim North. The Boko school taught Islam more effectively than the local Islamiya school (Makarantar Allo) did and many Yan Boko have a deeper knowledge of Islam than most peasant have. The local Islamiyah schools production of Almajiri was also a minus for them and the armies of Boko Haram sect must have been recruited from the Almajiri. Besides the Muslim community’s initial fear that Boko could lead to wholesale proselytization did not happen.

Even though Boko improved the community’s material lot and did not lead wholesale conversion as the Muslim feared, it led to wholesale westernization and secularization, to the chagrin of traditionalist. It brought great dependence on income and the lifestyle, opulence, ego and vanity of the yan Boko alarmed traditionalist. Governance become ineffectual in Yan Boko’s hand and their white collar crime tarnished the country’s image. On collapse of societal values, thus triggering a call for a change.

ORIGIN AND VALUES

Available information indicates that the group emanated from an orthodox teaching slightly resembling that of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Their school of thought considers anything western as an aberration or completely unislamic. The group viewed the western influence on Islamic society as the basis of the religion’s weakness. Hence their declaration that western education and indeed all western institution is infidel and as such must be avoided by Muslims.

At first, both cleric and the larger community ignore the gospel as they dismissed the preacher as unknowledgeable, other see them as share age propagandist who will not get the attention of the modern Muslims but events proved all wrong as the sect began to grow from strength to strength. In Bauchi, Yobe, and Borno State, many young people dropped out of school, including university student to join them, workers including highly placed administrators and tertiary institution lecturers also joined them. That was when the clerics began to fire at them with great vehemence knowing fully well that it was no longer a tea party. But it was getting late then, as many youth have already separated from their families, while many people abandoned their jobs for the group. It was gathered that most people sold their belongings to contribute to the coffers of fighting the cause of Allah to save Islam from the clutches of western influences and domination.

THEIR BELIEF

Some of the fundamental argument of beliefs held by the group is that banking, taxation and jurisprudence in the country are completely infidel submitting to these void. The entire faith of a true Muslim, they also argue that western education was unislamic as it embodies all that Islam projected, while it propagates the negative of what Allah and his prophet had ordained.

For instance, the mixing of boys and girls under the same shade, the propagation of the theory of that men evolved from the family of monkey as well as the sun in the sky is static. According to them, all these are in conflict with the direct words of Allah who said Muslim must not mix sexes under the same umbrella and that he created men from clay as well as the sun, earth and the moon each move on its own axis.

They further argue that today’s banking system is shylock and Islam forbids interest in financial transaction, just as the laws of the land are manmade, in replacement of the ones ordained by Allah.

It was on their bid to run away from all of these vices that members of the sect decided to cluster themselves in strategic location in the outskirt of most major town of Bauchi and Yobe.

ANOTHER ANGLE TO MOHAMMED YUSUF'S EMERGENCE

As early as 2002, Yusuf was seen by many as a likely heir to the renown late Sheik Jafaar Mahmud Adam in Maiduguri on account of his brilliance and closeness to the late renowned scholar. But all that changed shortly when one Mohammed Alli (now late) approached late Yusuf with reasons to boycott democracy, civil service and western oriented schools.

Late Yusuf then disengaged his service with the Yobe State government. Then in a 2006 press release signed by the sect’s Shura (consultative) council, they stated that Islam permits them to subsist under a modern government like Nigeria but has explicitly prohibited them from joining or supporting such government in so far as their systems, structures and institutions contains elements contradictory to core Islamic principles and beliefs.

However, the late Alli argued that the sect must embark on Hijra (migration), but late Yusuf decline and Alli proceeded to Kannamma in Yobe with his faction, and one thing led to another, the group launched an insurgent attack on the police that resulted in the loss of many lives and properties in Kanamma and later in Gwuza in Borno State.

Although the insurgent, a renegade group that called itself “Taliban” led by Alli, fiercely disagreed with late Yusuf and many of the escapees later returned to Yusuf.

Unlike Alli, Yusuf went on undeterred, though he was prevented from preaching in several mosques and was denied TV/Radio appearances in the state, but he set up a preaching outlet in the front of his house at the Railway quarters and at Anguwar Doki, millionaires quarters among others. The demand for his tapes increased by the day all over the north and the proceeds there from increased tremendously. He then asked his landlord and in law, late Baba Fugu Mohammed to allow him to build a mosque who he named Ibn Taimiyya Masjid.

It was in Ibn Taimiyya Masjid that the late Yusuf together with his hard line top --- Abubakar Shekau, alias “Darul tauhid”began to build an imaginary state within a state. Together they set up laginas (department), they had a cabinet, the shura, the Hisbah, the brigades of guilds, a military wings, a large farm, an effective microfinance scheme, and late Yusuf played the role of a judge in settling disputes.

Each state had an Amir (leader) including Amirs in Chad and Niger that gave account of their stewardship to Yusuf directly.

The sect led by Yusuf, took advantage of the poor quality of our educational system, the incessant strike, cult activities, widespread malpractices and prostitution that is made worse with no offer of job after graduation to lure many youths to abandoned schools and embrace Yusuf’s new and emerging state that promises to offer them a better education.

Late Yusuf also took advantage of the irresponsible leadership of all level of government, unemployment, poverty, corruption and insecurity. And as he point out such failures, citing verses of Quran and the saying of the prophet, the youth see him as the leader that will indeed deliver them from malevolence to the promises lend.

MEMBERSHIP

In the early stage of the group, he was able to attach membership from the families of the high and mighty in Borno State. Infact, at a point, one of the sons of the former SSG in one of the State of the North East region was a member of this group. His father was from jakusko while his mother is from Barde. Many other members of prominent families from Borno and Yobe States reportedly join or later became sympathetic to his cause and supported it financially.

HIS THREATS

Sheikh Muhammed Yusuf style of preaching was reportedly inecting yet he bothered less, but nonetheless had some confrontations with the law enforcement agents. In truth, the authorities could hardly claim ignorance of the activities of Mohammed Yusuf and his men. As a matter of fact, he was arrested on several occasion by the police in Maiduguri but before the police could roll out the drums and start celebrating his capture, Yusuf would have resurface in his vast compound in Maiduguri.

There was a time when the man returned from Abuja barely five days after his arrest. Infact people from all the way from Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano came to welcome him. There was a long motorcede from the airport as thousands of his members trooped out to lead him to his house. He came back like a hero – a resident observed.

In January 2009, Yusuf was arrested and prosecuted in Abuja, but he was reportedly granted bail and subsequently returned to Maiduguri.

“Before he was killed, you should have been here on a Friday, you would think a big party was going on here. The whole area (Railway Quarters) would be lined by exotic cars as very powerful individuals went to see Yusuf. They went in cars with tinted glasses and so nobody would be able to see them. That is why many people believed that the man was being sponsored by some very powerful individuals”, said a resident.

THE FIRST ATTACK-SHOOTING OF 17 MOURNERS

The Operation Flush was a Borno State owned security outfit launched for an all war against robbers who had become very daring and were terrorizing residents, motorist and commuters plying highways. At the onset, the Operation Flush tackled robbery to a near standstill. However, with innocent people becoming the squad’s victim, it became a source of worry for the residents of the state. The security outfit became notorious for brutalizing people in Maiduguri, causing traffic disorder extorting money from people and usurping the functions of the law enforcement agencies on the state.

The shooting of 17 mourning followers of Sheik Yusuf by men of the Operation Flush raised concerns about the excesses and human rights abuse indulged by security outfit with impunity.

Investigation revealed that trouble began when the sect members were on their way to a cemetery in a procession to bury four of their members who died in a motor accident along Biu – Maiduguri road, a day earlier. Some of them who rode on motorbike were intercepted by an Operation Flush petrol team and asked why they were not wearing crash elements. The sect members did not take kindly to the enquiry which they thought was a provocation given that they were in a funeral procession. The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Christopher Dega, said the group had disagreement with members of the joint military and police petrol team known as “Operation Flush” in Maiduguri “over traffic-related violations by the procession”. He said “one thing led to another and a member of the patrol team stationed at the custom’s roundabout opened fire to save his colleagues from the mob”. The members of the group and three onlookers were crowded in the process.

Those injured were rushed to the emergency of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where they were treated and discharged.

Days later, the cleric, Sheik Yusuf, made a pronouncement through his well circulated Friday sermon in Maiduguri to retaliate the shooting of his men, boasting that his group would be prepared to confront all the security agencies in the State as well as government which he described as the enemies of Islam. Government sources claimed President Umaru Yarardua and the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Abdullahi Sakin Muktar were adequately briefed on Mohammed’s threats.

THE BAUCHI STRIKE

The Boko Haram men were largely known to have lived at Jadaman Mada and near the Airport where they have their jummat mosque. They neither buy commercial food, nor eat from dishes prepared by non members, due to its sources (Haram). Infact, they do not eat much, some of them are said to live on fruits and dates only. They normally dress in similar costumes as the Taliban of Afghanistan or Pakistan, with long sleeve robe, shortened trousers, a turban, long beard, a small coat cover the long sleeve robe, covering the abdomen (like a bullet proof jacket) and a chewing stick.

That fateful day on July 26, 2009, a small group of about 30 youths marched towards the Dutsen Tanship Police Station in Bauchi Town around 6.00am. All of them were carrying assorted weapons that include matchetes, bows and arrows, daggers and dene gun. The police seemed to be prepared as they opened fire on them as soon as they attacked. Five of them attacked were left dead instantly. Soon the police inconjunction with the military swiftly surrounded the entire house suspected to be their abode, early that morning.

Most of their belonging were taken along and displaced for official inspections. Items found include sewn military uniform, boots, live ammunition, shells, locally made explosives, lethal gun powder.

Immediately after the encounter, the houses belonging to their sect were destroyed by the authorities. Those who were neither killed nor arrested escaped into the thin air. Most of those arrested were found to be indigenes of Yobe and Borno States.

In a chat with newsmen that fateful Sunday morning, Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame said the police will further their investigations to ensure that all tose connected to the attack were arrested, while their sponsor will be brought to justice, whoever they may be in the society.

Governor Isa Yuguda told the newsmen he was satisfied with the commitment and accuracy of the security operatives. “This calls for celebration as we have succeeded in the pre-emptying them”.

He indicated that intelligence report had showed that they had prepared well to attack, but government preempt them and caused them to be on the defensive. He said that he had earlier warned his neighboring colleagues and had informed them of his intention that is why there were less civilian involvement in the conflict.

“This is not a religious violence. It is a case of military. I consider them as lunatics who should be referred to the psychiatrist. Infact their action is not religious, but a case of wanton militancy” Yuguda said.

The Assistant Inspector General (IGP) of Police, Zone 12, Mr. Moses Anegboda confirmed that 41 persons were killed in the crisis between the police and the sect. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 39 persons were members of the group while a policeman and a soldier were also killed.

He said 176 suspected members of the sect had been arrested. The police according to him were working in collaboration with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to draw up charges for the prosecution of the suspects.

“The police will continue to do 24 hours surveillance and mop-up operations on the activities of the sect across the zone”, he said.

The AIG noted that about 210 weapons were recovered from the sect with 200 detonates, two corrusters, two bags of lethat gun powders, seven bags of poltesum, one basis of nitrate used for making explosives and an AK-47.

REACTION OF SHEIK MOHAMMED YUSUF

The leader of the sect in his reaction said his group will not take kindly to the killing of dozens of its supporters in Bauchi. While speaking to journalist on the clashes, between his supporters and the police in Bauchi, said his men were ready to die to ensure the institution of a strict Islamic society.

THE YOBE CRISES

Few days later, the Bauchi conflicts between the Boko Haram sect and the security operatives spread to Yobe State. The sect members launched attack on the central police station on Potiskum on Monday and soon retreated into a hide out at Mamudo, where security agent swooped on them. Three police officers and one fire service officer died on the clash.

Briefing reporters in his office, Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, said, “At about 0800 hours, a combined team of the Police/Army launched a counter attack on the hide out of the extremist at a location opposite CGC Construction Company, near Mamudo village along Damaturu – Potiskum Road.

“The encounter with the hoodlum left thirty three (33) of the extremist dead. Six rifles, one pistol, one dene gun, three AK-47, empty magarines, thirty two (32) rounds of 7.62 mmm live ammunition and eighty one (81) of 9 live ammunitions were recovered from the suspects”.

Abba said the extremist were using a bus and a J5 vehicle with registration number XB 591 KTG and XA 888 MKA. The vehicles, he said were equally recovered by the security agents.

“Two of the suspects that escaped from the scene were arrested at Potiskum town based on information from members of the public and two other suspects were arrested in Fika”

“Information has it that the Boko Haram sect were about fifty in number when the attack was launched at their hide outs. Some of the suspects snatched a hilux vehicle belonging to Yobe State government around Mamudo and escaped into the bush.

“A man hint for the fleeing suspects has been launched by the security agents with a view to arresting the suspects”. He said.

RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNOR

Governor Ibrahim Geidem condemning the sectarian strife, describing it as an embarrassment to Islam. The governor was at the Police Command Headquarters on Gugbe Road in Damaturu. He thanked the police and other security agencies for containing the situation.

The combined team of soldiers and policemen embarked on a house to house search for this sect. The security men were said to have stormed houses occupied by the sect members, freeing hundreds of women and children. The sect believed that women and children should be kept indoors. No fewer than 2000 people were said to have fled to police station and hospitals to escape being killed.

IN KANO

The house and mosque of the sect leader in wudil, Salihu Al-min model at Sabon gari was demolished by the Kano State Police Command order. The police are however still on wudil’s trail. He went into hiding following the attack on Wudil Police Station.

The building were marked “illegal structure” before demolition. Before dawn the building was pulled down including his mosque men of Kano State Urban Development Authority was directed to destroy the structure. A government source said one unit of mobile force was drafted to Wudil before the demolition to forestall resistance from remnant of Boko Haram followers.

During the raid on Wudil’s house, explosive substances including fuel bottle, jack knife, dane gun, locally made pistol, arrows and charms were discovered.

According to the police command anti-bomb unit, a bag of yellow powdered substance discovered in the house contain 15% charcoal, 25% potassium nitrate, 20% sulphur as is highly inflammable when ignited with fire.

Arrest were made. At the Bompai Police Headquarters, in Kano, a member of the Boko Haram arrested told the journalist that he was not disturbed by this present condition.

“Allah be praised, we are simply passing a period of tribulation and I know that even if I die now, I would be hugely rewarded by Allah. They cannot stop us. We must propagate the message of Allah. Only sharia we believe and western education is a taboo”. He said as he groaned in pain.

THE MAIDUGURI MAIN BATTLE
THE BOMB BLAST

A few hours after the Borno State Police Command paraded nine followers of Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, with 74 locally made bomb shells in Biu local government area, that a locally made bomb exploded in the residence of another followers, blasting him to death, while his friend sustained severe injuries and is being hospitalized at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The follower, whose name was given as Hassan Sani Badamu from Biu was killed on (Friday July 20) night after the explosion occurred in his bedroom at his residence in Gwaindangari, behind Railway Quarters while he was with a friend, also a follower of Yusuf.

A guide book on bomb making was recovered from the blasted room. Commander of a joint military and police petrol team, tagged operation flush, Colonel Ben Ahanotu told newsmen.

Wife of the deceased, sect member, sect member, Zainab Dauda who was weeping while answering questions from newsmen narrated that she was in the kitchen preparing evening meal for her husband when she heard a loud explosion from the room and before she knew what was happening, her husband was lying in his own blood while his fraud who was inside the bedroom with the husband was rushed to the hospital by members of the operation flush who rushed to the scene.

Zainab who said she was pregnant as she held her four year old son, added that she had been advising her late husband to stay away from the sect as she had been told that the group carried weapons.

“I had always warned my husband to leave that group, I was told that they moved about with knives and because of my fear, I used to check my husband’s handbags which he used when he was going for activities of the sect, but every time, I checked, I only saw copies of Holy Quran. I didn’t even know his friend was inside his room, I was in the kitchen”, Zainab said crying.

Commander of Operation Flush, Ben Ahanotu told journalist that they received intelligence report that the men was trying to fix something in the locally made bomb along with his friends, when it exploded and killed him. He said when security men arrived at the scene, the man was found dismembered and he gave up the ghost after he was taken to hospital.

Colonel Ahanotu said that some components for making local bombs were recovered from the scene. He said security men were working round the clock to guarantee peace and security of lives and properties in the state.

On Friday afternoon, the police had paraded more members of the sect in whose possession 74 empty home made bomb shells and bomb head were found. Other items found in the possession of the nine were three swords, three bags containing gun powder, 11 motorcycles filters, one tin of plastic filter, bottle of methanol, explosive acids, seven rubbers containers of sodium chemicals, an equipment for measuring chemicals, two screw drivers, and other components for making bombs.

THE MAIDUGURI BATTLES

In Maiduguri, the sect members appeared to have grouped themselves on batches and simultaneously attacked targets around the city at about 12.30am. They ambushed at the State Police Headquarters, sparking off a shoot out that lasted for over three hours. Fifty of the sect followers were killed there and the other retreated.

In the various battles, at least eight police officers, two soldiers and three prison officers were reportedly killed, the new prison in the city was broken and prisoners freed, while homes of policemen and police stations were also set ablaze in an apparent fulfillment of the promises of retaliations, attack made by the sects leader, Sheikh Yusuf.

The sect members killed a police sergeant by the gate of the police headquarters, burnt nine residents of mobile police trainees college near the city and also killed four policemen undergoing promotional courses in the college.

They also killed the second-in-command officer of a mobile police unit whose name was given as Superintendent Usman Farouk.

Somewhere in the city, another batch of the sect members overpowered men of the Nigerian Prison and freed inmates. A team of the sect members also killed a policeman at the residence of the Commandant of the Mobile Police Training College. They also burnt Lamisula and Gamburu Police Stations in Maiduguri and vandalized properties. The sect member had a long exchange of fire with men of operation flush a combined military and police anti-robbery team.

A similar attack was reportedly launched by the sect members in Damasak Headquarters of Mobber local government area of the state and killed a policeman.

All activities were brought to standstill in Maiduguri as fewer vehicles moved around amidst intense stop and search mounted by the police and the military. Communications were disrupted and telecoms installations in Maiduguri were attacked.

Later in the day, Governor Ali Modu Sheriff declared a dusk to dawn curfew in all parts of Maiduguri and Jere, a neighbouring local government area. The governors Director of Press, Usman Chiroma, said in a statements that the curfew was from 7.00pm to 6am and will continue until security situation improves.

SECURITY RESPONSE

The next day, security forces raided the enclave of the radical Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri in an all act attempt to crush the group whose supporters ignited violence in five states in union more than zoo persons, including security personnel died.

The army moved in six light armoured war tanks and deployed hundreds of heavily armed soldiers and mobile policemen and regular policemen around Maiduguri to destroy the residents of the sect leaders, Yusuf, which also serve as the group’s headquarters.

The security forces also cordoned off Maiduguri, Galadima, Kasuwan Sharu and low cost areas, which have been under the control of the sect members since Sunday nights when the crises began.

The military action came a day after more than 150 people were killed in Borno, Yobe and Kano States in a gun battles between the sects followers and security forces.

The offensive which started in Maiduguri was led by the GOC 3rd Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, Major General Salah Maina, came on the order of President Umaru Yaradua, who said his administration would no longer tolerate any armed insurrections in any part of the country.

The military ordered resident to evacuate the affected areas and as 5.30pm, sounds of explosions were being heard and thick smoke billowing into the sky.

Security source said the leader of the sect in Kano, was killed while he was about to enter Maiduguri to bring reinforcement to his members. Streets of Maiduguri remained deserted as very few cars moved around. Residents were seen in fronts of their homes speaking in small group.

The traditional Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said over 4000 persons took refuge at different military and police quarters. Assistant Zonal Coordinator of the Agency in the North East, Apollos Jedial said of the displaced resident, 3000 persons were taking refuge at the Maimalari Barracks, 600 were at the State Police Headquarters while 19 were at the Giwa military barracks.

He said the agency ordered release of relief materials mostly food items and beddings, which he handed over to the Borno State government for distribution to the victims.

Spokesman for the Borno Police Command, Isah Azare, confirmed that 90 of the rioters as well as eight police officers, three prison officials and two soldiers had been killed in the clashes with the security forces that Monday.

PRESIDENT UMARU YAR'ADUA'S REACTIONS

Speaking to newsmen at the Nnamdi Azekiwe International Airport, shortly before he jetted out to Brazil on a free day visit, Yaradua said he had asked security agencies to deal squarely and promptly, with the leader of the Boko Haram, sect and end the crisis by yesterday evening.

THE ARREST AND DEATH OF MOHAMMED YUSUF

The battle between security forces and followers of the Boko Haram sect came to an end with the killing of the leader of the group (yesterday, Thursday July 30) few hours after he was captured in Maiduguri. The police claimed that Mallam Mohamed Yusuf whose followers battled troops and policemen for five days in many state, was reportedly killed in a shoot out with security men, but a BBC reporter in Maiduguri said Yusuf was arrested and paraded before journalist with apparent signs of injuries.

“He has been killed. You can come and see his body at the state police command headquarters, spokesmen for the Borno State Police Command, Isa Azare told Reutes news agency.

The State Police Commissioner, Christopher Dega had earlier announced the capture of Yusuf and said he was being held at Giwa Barracks. Announcing the death of the late sect leader, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 12, Mr. Moses Anagbode, said Yusuf was killed in a shoot out with security men yesterday in afternoon. Security sources told newsmen that the sect leader was arrested hiding among cattle inside his father inlaws home, situated around the sects bombed enclave, which was destroyed by the military and a counter insurgency operation.

At 8.31 last night news Agencies flashed the story of the killing of Yusuf.

A journalist said the body outside the state police headquarters had several gunshot wounds. It was learnt that before he was killed, Yusuf requested that people should pray for him to have the mercy of God.

Security source said Yusuf had tricked the military into believing he fled out to the bush after a stage on his headquarters, but he instead remained within the area taken over by security forces.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APOLOGIZES TO UN OVER KILLING

A federal government delegation was in Geneva, Switzerland to apologize to the United Nations for the alleged extrajudicial killings of Boko Haram sect leader. Head of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Roland Ewubare said in Abuja.

The delegation comprised the Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondakaa, the NHRC boss and the State House Counsel.

Speaking when he reacted visiting Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jeff Hert, the NHRC Executive Secretary, Ewubare said the Nigerian delegation told the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay that they were in Geneva to plead so that the country would not be sanctioned by the United Nations. He said Nigeria assured the United Nation that as soon as ongoing investigation is concluded, those found culpable would be punished in accordance with the law.

ALHAJI BUJI FAI KILLED, SO ALSO BABA FUGU

A two time Chairman of Kaga local government areas of Borno State and former Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Water Resources who was a member of Boko Haram was captured in his farm along Bui – Danboa Road and later killed in the early hours of the next day at the Police Headquarter, Maiduguri.

Alhaji Fai, who dumped politics to join the sect, left the services at Borno State government when he was the Commissioner for Religious Affairs and fully involved himself in the activities of the sect. It was reliably gathered that his farm was used to habour the families of the militant sect, where he was later arrested after a fierce gun battle with the security operatives.

After he was arrested, the former commissioner demanded to meet the state governor, Alhaji Modu Sherif, who was not in office, when he was taken, had tied, to the Government House. The late Buji Fai was later carried to the police headquarter where he was reportedly killed.

THE ROLE OF MOHAMMED FUGU, A MAIDUGURI BASED BUSINESS MAN IN THE EPISODE

Fugu was reportedly shot to death by the police at the police headquarters in Maiduguri. He had reportedly gone to the police headquarters to give himself up after having been told that the police were looking for him. He did not even wait for his lawyers before going to meet with the police. Since he did not have any skeleton in his cupboard, he had no reasons to fear. He was reportedly detained with his gown removed and handcuffed. It was later on the day that the family started hearing that he had been killed and his corpse deposited in the mortuary. His corpse alongside with others was reportedly dumped in a mass grave in Maiduguri.

The state government officials reportedly later stormed Railway Quarters with bulldozers and demolished Mohammed Yusuf’s house as well as Fugu’s compound. Items worth more than N160 million were reportedly destroyed in the house.

Dissatisfied with the development, the family went to court, accusing the police of extrajudicial killing of their patriarch. The court gave its judgment asking the Nigerian Police to pay the sum of N100 million to the family, but the police appealed the verdict.

BORNO PROBES SECT VIOLENCE

Governor Ali Modu Sherif of Borno State later inaugurated a 13 man administrative committee of inquiry on the Boko Haram sectarian violence or party of the state.

The committee however didn’t have representatives from the Jammatul Nasiru Islam (JNI), an umbrella body of Muslims and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Members of the committee include Past Public office holders, serving civil servants, retired police and representatives of security agencies.

Sheriff explains that inquiry would give government clear information on the mayhem and advise it on strategies to prevent re-occurrence. The committee was to submit its report within three weeks.

BOKO HARAM BOMBS POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Eight persons were feared dead and 44 others injured when a powerful bomb ripped through the car park of the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The police headquarters bomb blast, which the police described as a suicide attack, was apparently targeted at the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.

The attack came four days after Ringim announced renewed efforts by the police to eliminate the dreaded sect in Borno State, where it has been blamed for a number of killings and bomb attacks.

The IG’s convoy had driven into the force headquarters also known as Louis Edet House around 10:40am unaware that there was a Honda Civic trailing it.

The suspected bomber reportedly drove into the premises a few minutes after the IG’s four vehicle convoy entered and attempted to park close to it near the entrance of the building. According to a witness policemen, who observed the driver’s suspicious moves directed a traffic warden to escort him to the car park and search the car. The traffic warden joined the strange man in the car and as they got to the parking area, the bomb went off, causing a huge fire that wrecked 77 vehicles in the park.

Ringim was yet to enter his office located on the sixth floor of the building when the blast went off, causing panic among police personnel, visitors and contractors in the premises.

Chunk of human flesh were splattered all over the scene of the explosions and on vehicles at the car park. The impact of the blast was so massive that it shook the building, shattering its glass windows.

Policemen abandoned their duty post and fled to safety just as a truck colum of smokes billowed from burning cars. Firemen were swiftly deployed in the complex to put out the blaze.

CHRONICLE OF BOKO HARAM MENACE

26 July 2009 – First clash with security agencies in Bauchi State after an all-night attack on Dutsen-Tanshi Police. 39 members, two policemen, one soldier killed.

27 July 2009 – First attack in Yobe State during an invasion of Potiskum Divisional Headquarters, leading to the death of three policemen, one fire service officer.

29 July 2009 – Confrontation with security men at Mamudo Village, along Potiskum/Damaturu Road, Yobe. 33 Boko Haram members killed.

29 July 2009 – An all-night battle with combined security operatives at Railway Terminus, Maiduguri, Borno State. Scores killed and operational base destroyed.

8 Sept 2010 – Set ablaze Bauchi central prison and fired members of the sect who were jailed there.

28 January 2011 – Killed governorship candidate of the Borno State chapter of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio and six others at Lawan Bukar ward, Maiduguri.

2 March 2011 – Killed two policemen attached to the residence of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mustapha Sandamu at Rigasa area of Kaduna State.

30 March 2011 – Bomb explosion in Damaturu injuring a policeman.

2 April 201 – Bombed Dutsen-Tanshi police station, injured two policemen.

4 May 2011 – Shot dead a prison warder at Maiduguri Prison on Kashim Ibrahim Way

5 May 2011 – Shot Duty Officer at Maiduguri Government House, Umaru Shehu, at his Abuja Talakawa residence of Maisandami ward killing a 13-year-old boy and injured another.

9 May 2011 – Killed two Islamic clerics, Sheikh Goni Tijani and Mallam Alhaji Abur at their residences in Mairi and Bulabulum wards of Maiduguri.

9 May 2011 – Killed Bauchi State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ibrahim Dudu Gobe and injured his son, Mohammed.

13 May 2011 – Two people killed by bomb explosion at London Chinki, Maiduguri.

15 May 2011 – Planted bomb at Lagos street, Maiduguri which injured two soldiers, three policemen. A policeman was also shot dead same day in the city.

29 May 2011 – Bombed Bauchi military barrack, killing 14.

31 May 2011 – Shot dead Shehu of Borno’s brother, Alhaji Abba Anas Garba El-Kanemi.

1 June 2011 – Five people killed during attack on police stations in Maiduguri.

12 June 2011 – Four persons killed at a drinking joint in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri.

16 June 2011 – Four children killed in a bomb explosioin at Damboa town, Maiduguri.

WAYS OUT OF BOKO HARAM

1) Almajiri reform and enhanced

2) Effective poverty alleviation policies and enforcement by the government.

3) Isolate and address grievances of all interest groups as fair as possible.

4) Government regulation of preaching in religious gathering.

5) Effective job provision and sustainability by the government.

6) Enhanced criminal intelligence by the security agencies.

7) Cooperation and intelligence sharing by the different intelligence agencies.

Effective implementation of police reform policies reducing the high turn over of the inspector general of police and establishing a legal procedure to elongate or fix a tenure of say five years for them.

9) Enhance border petrol and regulations of the influx of immigrants or aliens.

10) Put in place good policies to promote effective and efficient leadership, good governance transparency and a mechanism to check, prevent and totally eliminate corruption.

11) Put in place effective mechanism for conflict mediation and resolution and also an alternative dispute resolution.

12) Enhance the citizen security agencies relationship towards maintenance of Internal Security and stability.