News
Nigeria arrests mercenaries in effort against Islamic Militants
A UN report on regional security released on Wednesday said there was evidence suggesting the Nigerian group had Chadian members who had received training from Al-Qaeda’s north Africa affiliate.
The African Union’s counter-terrorism chief Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira also warned on Tuesday that the Nigerian group may be trying expand its activities deep into Central Africa.
While some have been eager to emphasize Boko Haram’s external ties, others say Boko Haram is a problem born and bred in Nigeria.
Nigerian authorities have come under immense pressure over the spiralling violence blamed on the Islamists and have in the past been accused of rounding up innocent civilians in response to attacks.
“Following previous attacks by Boko Haram, the security forces have often resorted to dragnet arrests, rather than arresting people on the basis of a reasonable suspicion that they committed an offence,” Amnesty International said earlier this week.
The police faced intense criticism after suspected Boko Haram member Kabiru Sokoto, linked to a Christmas attack, escaped police custody last week in mysterious circumstances.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday fired the country’s police chief and six of his deputies.
