Christianity in Nigeria

Nigeria offensive on Islamists escalates in key city

Agence France-PresseMay 19, 2013 13:45

A key city in northeast Nigeria was on lockdown Sunday as the military enforced a 24-hour curfew and blocked supply routes in its sweeping campaign against Islamist insurgents. The operation against Boko Haram, the group that wants an Islamic state in northern Nigeria, is aimed at retaking territory seized by the militants and ridding the country of "terrorist activities," the miltary has said.

More aid needed to site of Nigeria bloodbath

Agence France-PresseApril 27, 2013 13:15

The population in the Nigeria town of Baga, site of the deadliest-ever episode in an Islamist insurgency, is in "terrible shock," with a woefully inadequate rescue mission unable to care for the thousands of victims, the area senator told AFP Saturday after visiting the town. "I have driven all over that place and the devastation is enormous," said Senator Maina Lawan of the Borno North constituency in northeast Nigeria.

Nigeria president on first visit to violence-wracked region

Agence France-PresseMarch 7, 2013 10:01

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in the region at the heart of a deadly Islamist insurgency Thursday for his first visit to the restive northeastern area since winning 2011 elections. Jonathan landed in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and considered the home base of Islamist extremists Boko Haram, and travelled on by helicopter to neighbouring Yobe state, also hit by repeated attacks. Security was tight, with soldiers stationed along roads and movement restricted. He is due to return to Maiduguri later Thursday for a visit that will extend into Friday.

Nigerian government welcomes Islamist ceasefire offer

Agence France-PresseFebruary 2, 2013 18:00

Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo said Saturday that his government is ready to consider a ceasefire offer by the extremist Islamist group Boko Haram. Sambo, speaking during a visit to the northeastern city of Maiduguri -- the Islamists' stronghold -- said "we welcome the ceasefire offer announced recently by the Boko Haram group and we will do everything as a government to see that we achieve a lasting peace in Nigeria." Since 2009, violence linked to Boko Haram's insurgency has claimed some 3,000 lives, including killings by the security forces.