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Nigerian militants 'under siege' Nigerian militants 'under siege'
(40 minutes later)
A group of Nigerian Islamist militants is barricaded into a small area in the city of Maiduguri after two days of violence in the country's north. A group of Nigerian Islamist militants is barricaded inside a district in the city of Maiduguri, after two days of violence in the country's north.
A BBC reporter in the city says the Islamists are shooting at anyone coming close to their stronghold.A BBC reporter in the city says the Islamists are shooting at anyone coming close to their stronghold.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua had ordered the security forces to use all necessary means to end the violence, in which at least 100 have died.President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua had ordered the security forces to use all necessary means to end the violence, in which at least 100 have died.
The militants wants Islamist rule and an end to Western education. The militants want Islamist rule and an end to Western-style education.
One group is now under siege by the security forces, in an area including a mosque and the home of their leader Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri.
Eyewitness: Nigeria attacks Nigeria's anti-education preacher Fear and tension after attack
Mr Yusuf says young people in the region are being corrupted by the West, and by Western education.
His followers are known as Boko Haram, which means "Education is prohibited".
The Nigerian military has stepped up security following the clashes.
Soldiers have set up road blocks and imposed dusk-to-dawn curfews in the worst affected areas of Yobe, Kano and Borno States.
Islamist militants staged attacks on police and government offices.
There have been reports of youths armed with machetes and guns killing police officers and civilians at random.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC that police stations had been attacked and civilians pulled from their cars and shot dead.
Gun battles
Maiduguri in Borno State, has seen the worst violence. The bodies of residents and militants have been piled outside the police station and in the streets.
A BBC reporter there counted 100 corpses.
ANALYSIS By Caroline Duffield, BBC News, NigeriaANALYSIS By Caroline Duffield, BBC News, Nigeria
Tensions are never far from the surface in northern Nigeria. Poverty and competition for scarce resources, along with ethnic, cultural and religious differences have all fuelled sudden violence.Tensions are never far from the surface in northern Nigeria. Poverty and competition for scarce resources, along with ethnic, cultural and religious differences have all fuelled sudden violence.
But the latest violence is not between communities, it involves young men from religious groups, arming themselves and attacking local police.But the latest violence is not between communities, it involves young men from religious groups, arming themselves and attacking local police.
Fringe religious groups in Nigeria have claimed links to the Taliban before - individuals have also been accused of links to al-Qaeda. But Nigeria is very different to countries like Mali or Algeria, where groups such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb operate.Fringe religious groups in Nigeria have claimed links to the Taliban before - individuals have also been accused of links to al-Qaeda. But Nigeria is very different to countries like Mali or Algeria, where groups such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb operate.
The idea of radical Islamist militants gaining a serious foothold in Nigeria is usually dismissed, because of the strength of local identities and traditions.The idea of radical Islamist militants gaining a serious foothold in Nigeria is usually dismissed, because of the strength of local identities and traditions.
Earlier, witnesses told the BBC that a battle had raged for hours in Potiskum, Yobe State, where a police station and neighbouring buildings were reportedly razed. The group now under siege by the security forces is occupying an area near Maiduguri's railway station.
There were also attacks on police in Wudil, some 20km (12 miles) from Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria. It includes shops, schools and the home of their leader Mohammed Yusuf. Also in the area are the mosque where he preaches and the headquarters of the Boko Haram, as his followers are called.
Security is said to have been particularly beefed up in Plateau State, to the south of Bauchi, where hundreds were killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians last year. Boko Haram means "education is prohibited". Mr Yusuf says young people in the region are being corrupted by the West, and by Western education.
Youths began attacking police stations in Bauchi on Sunday after some of the group's leaders were arrested. It is not known how many people are inside the barricaded area.
Correspondents say Boko Haram has aroused suspicion for its recruitment of young men, and its belief that Western education, culture and science are sinful. The BBC's Caroline Duffield in Nigeria says armoured vehicles and soldiers are pouring into the city.
Reuters news agency reports that one of the group's leaders, arrested in Kano state, said his followers were standing up for their faith. She says the militants are shooting indiscriminately at civilians and hundreds are fleeing the district.
"Even if I'm arrested, there are more to do the job," Abdulmuni Ibrahim Mohammed is quoted as saying. The Nigerian military has stepped up security in northern Nigeria following the clashes.
Soldiers set up road blocks and imposed dusk-to-dawn curfews in the worst affected areas of Yobe, Kano and Borno States.
On Tuesday, the military said it had killed three people coming into Maiduguri from Kano state. They were members of Boko Haram, the military said, and were trying to join the group in Maiduguri.
Nigeria's 'Taliban' enigma Eyewitness: Nigeria attacks Fear and tension after attack
One of those killed is believed to believed to be a senior member of Boko Haram in Kano.
In the two days of violence, the militants staged attacks on police and government offices.
There have been reports of youths armed with machetes and guns killing police officers and civilians at random.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC that police stations were attacked and civilians pulled from their cars and shot dead.
Maiduguri, in Borno State, has seen the worst violence. The bodies of residents and militants have been piled outside the police station and in the streets.
A BBC reporter there counted 100 corpses.
Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence in the country.Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence in the country.
The country's 150 million people are split almost equally between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.The country's 150 million people are split almost equally between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.
Are you in Nigeria? Have you been affected by the clashes? Send us your comments.Are you in Nigeria? Have you been affected by the clashes? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions