Topic: Nigerian Politics

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What is Nigeria's Boko Haram? 5 things to know

The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has generated headlines with a number of bloody attacks. Scott Baldauf breaks down the group's origins, funding, and possible ties to Al Qaeda.
In Pictures: Nigeria election turmoil
Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heading out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Read our list of ousted world leaders who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 01/13
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 01/10

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US mulls Nigeria's Boko Haram for terror watch list

The Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has killed more than 1,000 in a three-year insurgency, and may have ties with Al Qaeda. Will putting the group on a terror watch list help?
Nigeria soldiers arrest Boko Haram commander

The arrest of the Islamist sect's operational commander Suleiman Mohammed, and discovery of arms cache, is welcome news for Nigeria, which has been battling Boko Haram for three years.
Amid battles, Boko Haram offers dialogue with Nigerian president

A caller claiming to speak for the Islamist militant group Boko Haram called a local TV station on Sunday demanding 'one on one' dialogue with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Africa Monitor
Tough rhetoric on Boko Haram from the Christian Association of Nigeria

Guest blogger Alex Thurston says the harder pushback from the Christian Association of Nigeria is worrisome, because it could lead to even broader inter-religious violence in Nigeria.
Africa Monitor
Killing the messenger: Islamist insurgency widens in Nigeria

A suicide bombing at a venerable newspaper suggests that journalists could now become routinely targeted by Boko Haram, says guest blogger G. Pascal Zachary.
Church service attacked in Nigeria after Boko Haram threats

An attack on a Christian church service at a university in northern Nigeria Sunday left at least seven people dead. The Islamist group warned it would attack schools and other institutions.
Separate bomb blasts rock Nigeria's newspapers, at least six killed

While no one has taken credit for the twin blasts, the methods used in the attacks on the newspaper offices appear similar to those used by the Islamist fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.
Nigerian forces raid suspected Boko Haram bomb factory

While Nigerian security forces have succeeded in arresting senior members of Boko Haram, the Islamist militant group has shown signs of growing sophistication in its methods.
Suicide car bombing kills 38 in Nigeria on Easter Sunday

Authorities believe the attacker was trying to detonate explosives near churches holding Easter services on Sunday.
Africa Monitor
How to respond to Boko Haram’s evolving threat to Nigeria

Guest blogger G. Pascal Zachary argues that Nigeria must treat the Islamist militant group Boko Haram as a homegrown threat, fueled by decades of unaddressed regional grievances.
US must seek conservative Muslims as allies in fight against Boko Haram terror

Boko Haram, the north Nigerian extremist group, has recently escalated its terror campaign with a string of deadly strikes against government and civilian targets. To combat the rising threat, the West must embrace conservative Muslims in the region as potential allies.
Boko Haram: Fed up residents apprehend Islamists in northern Nigeria

Residents of Kano arrest two Boko Haram fighters in a sign of frustration with the group's campaign of terror in northern Nigeria.
Youth discontent drives vote to oust Senegal's president

Despite President Wade's achievements in fixing infrastructure, high unemployment and rising prices spur frustration among Senegal's youthful majority.
Boko Haram: Nigeria's Army kills nine suspects after attack

Nigerian Army kills nine suspected members of the banned Islamist militant group Boko Haram, blamed for the deaths of 1,000 in a three-year long rebellion in northern Nigeria.
Italian president: UK action 'inexplicable' on Nigerian hostage rescue bid (+video)

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano called UK action 'inexplicable' in failing to inform his government before launching a botched rescue mission with Nigerian forces that led to the deaths of British and Italian hostages held by a militant Islamist group.
Keep Calm
Nigerian government ready for talks with Islamist group Boko Haram

But after a Boko Haram campaign that killed at least 1,000, and a government crackdown that killed the Islamist group's leader, there are questions as to what the two sides can discuss.
In Nigeria, Somalia, and Afghanistan: what is a foreign fighter?

In countries where colonial borders don't reflect ethnic or family ties, it's not as easy to decide who is a foreigner. Yet Nigeria has deported 11,000 foreigners in the past six months on suspicion of Islamist sympathies.
Africa Monitor
Instability in Nigeria hurts neighboring economies

Boko Haram violence in Nigeria is negatively impacting the economy of drought-stricken neighbor, Niger, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.
Islamist attacks draw Nigeria and US military closer

Dealing with Islamist groups such as Nigeria's Boko Haram will require more than a purely military approach, although Nigeria welcomes training from the US military's Africa Command.
Nigeria's new police chief vows crackdown on corruption

Nigeria's acting inspector general Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar admits that Nigerian police have committed extrajudicial killings and run criminal rackets. That will change, he says.
Africa Monitor
Nigeria: is the recent oil violence connected to upcoming elections?

Group known for bombing oil pipelines has allegedly returned to the Niger Delta, just in time for Saturday's gubernatorial elections in President Goodluck Jonathan's home state.
With oil pipeline attack, Niger Delta rebels announce return

After a year long truce, Niger Delta rebel group MEND launched an attack on an oil pipeline. MEND's attacks come as Nigeria's military is struggling with the Islamist Boko Haram movement in the north.
Can you hear me now? Nigeria arrests Boko Haram spokesman.

Nigerian security sources say they traced the Boko Haram spokesman Abu Qa Qa by tracing his cellphone calls, a tactic also used to track down Osama Bin Laden.
Terrorism & Security
Nigeria tense after Islamists kill at least 178

A spokesman for the Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for Friday's attacks in the northern Nigeria city of Kano. 
Multiple attacks in Nigeria kill at least 143

The series of coordinated attacks were attributed to a radical Islamic group.