Suspected radical Muslim sect members in Nigeria charged over bombings, attacks that killed 25

It also remained unclear why prosecutors brought only conspiracy and assault charges against the eight suspects. Nigeria has new strict anti-terrorism laws that call for the death penalty in cases where attacks cause fatalities. On Tuesday, Osagie would only say the charges the suspects currently face carry a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege” in the local Hausa language, has carried out increasingly violent sectarian attacks against Nigeria’s weak central government in the last year.

Both police and the military appear unable to stop the attacks.

Nigeria, a nation of 150 million people, is split largely between a Christian south and a Muslim north. Unemployment and unceasing poverty, coming despite the nation making billions a year from oil production, have fueled resentment in recent years in the north.

Acknowledging the increasing violence, the U.S. embassy in Abuja issued a communique Tuesday to its citizens warning them to be “particularly vigilant” in Abuja as traffic congestion grows from increased military and police checkpoints. The embassy also said its staff now required advance permission to travel anywhere in northern Nigeria.

The country remains vital to U.S. oil supplies, but the crude rests in the nation’s southern delta, far from the current violence. However, the U.N. bombing showed a new level of sophistication by Boko Haram and a willingness to target foreigners.

Meanwhile, authorities suspect the sect attacked a beer parlor in the country’s northeast Monday night. Borno state police commissioner Simeone Midena told The Associated Press on Tuesday the shooting happened in Maiduguri, where the sect’s main mosque once stood. A witness said two gunmen carrying Kalashnikov rifles under their traditional robes attacked the bar.

Midena said no arrests have been made.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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