Seven people killed in northeast sect shooting
Published:Wednesday | January 18, 2012 | 12:00 AM
MAIDUGURI, (AP):
A radical Muslim sect has killed seven people in three separate attacks, authorities said yesterday, following through on threats to continue attacks in a nation overcome by unrest and divided by religion.
Two soldiers who were distributing food to soldiers on duty were shot dead yesterday, said Maiduguri police chief Simeone Midenda.
Two other people were killed Monday when gunmen invaded their homes, said military field operation officer Colonel Victor Ebhaleme. In Damaturu in nearby Yobe state, gunmen from the sect shot and killed three more people from Chad on Monday, said Yobe state police chief Tanko Lawan.
Authorities blame members of a radical Muslim sect locally known as Boko Haram for all of the attacks which occurred in areas that have seen a heightened security presence.
On December 31, President Goodluck Jonathan declared Borno, Niger, Plateau and Yobe states to be under a state of emergency, meaning authorities can make arrests without proof and conduct searches without warrants. He also ordered international borders near Borno and Yobe state to be closed.