This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8169359.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
'Dozens die' in Nigeria clashes | 'Dozens die' in Nigeria clashes |
(20 minutes later) | |
At least 32 people have been killed in a gun battle between security forces and a radical Islamist group in north-east Nigeria, reports say. | |
Dozens of people attacked a police station in Bauchi city but were repelled, Reuters news agency said. | |
The agency quoted a police spokesman as saying the militants belonged to Boko Haram group, which seeks the imposition of sharia law across Nigeria. | The agency quoted a police spokesman as saying the militants belonged to Boko Haram group, which seeks the imposition of sharia law across Nigeria. |
Islamic law has been in effect in the state of Bauchi since 2001. | Islamic law has been in effect in the state of Bauchi since 2001. |
Dozens of people were also reported to have been injured in Sunday's clashes. | |
The police spokesman, Mohammed Barau, said the situation had been brought under control and that members of the gang were being detained. | |
One gang member, who gave his name as Abdullah, told Reuters the group had retaliated because authorities had been arresting its leaders. | |
The man was also quoted as saying that the group wanted to "clean the [Nigerian] system which is polluted by Western education and uphold sharia all over the country". | |
In February, Bauchi was the scene of clashes between Muslim and Christian communities, which left four people dead. | In February, Bauchi was the scene of clashes between Muslim and Christian communities, which left four people dead. |
Nigeria's 140 million people are split almost equally between Muslims and Christians and the two groups generally live peacefully side by side. | Nigeria's 140 million people are split almost equally between Muslims and Christians and the two groups generally live peacefully side by side. |