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Concern at Nigeria Islamist death | Concern at Nigeria Islamist death |
(30 minutes later) | |
Human rights campaigners have voiced concern over the death of the leader of an Islamic sect in Nigerian police custody, calling it "unlawful" killing. | |
Nigerian government officials said Mohammed Yusuf, 39, was shot while trying to escape. His capture by police had been announced just hours earlier. | Nigerian government officials said Mohammed Yusuf, 39, was shot while trying to escape. His capture by police had been announced just hours earlier. |
His group is blamed for days of unrest that has left hundreds of people dead. | His group is blamed for days of unrest that has left hundreds of people dead. |
The Boko Haram group wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and impose a strict version of Islamic law. | The Boko Haram group wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and impose a strict version of Islamic law. |
Mr Yusuf was held and later shot in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri. | Mr Yusuf was held and later shot in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri. |
Bilkisu Babangida in Maiduguri At about 4pm I was about to leave for home with the rest of the journalists. We received a phone call to return back to the government house because the man, Mohammed Yusuf had been captured. | |
So we rushed up to that place. We heard some gunshots from somewhere, then we were told that the man had been "executed" at the police headquarters, at about 7pm. | |
I saw a video and after that I rushed to the police headquarters and I saw the corpse. I even photographed the corpse of Mohammed Yusuf. | |
A BBC reporter in the city was among journalists shown two films, one apparently showing Mr Yusuf making a confession; the other showing what appeared to be his body, riddled with bullets. | A BBC reporter in the city was among journalists shown two films, one apparently showing Mr Yusuf making a confession; the other showing what appeared to be his body, riddled with bullets. |
"Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shootout while trying to escape," the regional police assistant inspector-general, Moses Anegbode, told Nigerian television. | "Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shootout while trying to escape," the regional police assistant inspector-general, Moses Anegbode, told Nigerian television. |
A spokesman for the state governor was also quoted as saying that Mr Yusuf had been trying to escape. | A spokesman for the state governor was also quoted as saying that Mr Yusuf had been trying to escape. |
One policeman told AFP news agency Mr Yusuf had "pleaded for mercy and forgiveness before he was shot." | |
Troops had stormed the stronghold of Boko Haram - sometimes referred to as Taliban - on Wednesday night, killing many of the militants and forcing others to flee. | |
Mr Yusuf was arrested on Thursday after reportedly being found hiding in a goat pen at his parents-in-law's house. | |
'Gun battles' | 'Gun battles' |
Staff at Human Rights Watch said there should be an immediate investigation into the case. | Staff at Human Rights Watch said there should be an immediate investigation into the case. |
"The extrajudicial killing of Mr Yusuf in police custody is a shocking example of the brazen contempt by the Nigerian police for the rule of law," said Human Rights Watch's Eric Guttschuss. | "The extrajudicial killing of Mr Yusuf in police custody is a shocking example of the brazen contempt by the Nigerian police for the rule of law," said Human Rights Watch's Eric Guttschuss. |
Another Human Rights Watch researcher, Corinne Dufka, told AP news agency: "The Nigerian authorities must act immediately to investigate and hold to account all those responsible for this unlawful killing and any others associated with the recent violence in northern Nigeria." | Another Human Rights Watch researcher, Corinne Dufka, told AP news agency: "The Nigerian authorities must act immediately to investigate and hold to account all those responsible for this unlawful killing and any others associated with the recent violence in northern Nigeria." |
The violence began on Sunday night in Bauchi state, before spreading to other towns and cities in the northeast of the West African nation. | The violence began on Sunday night in Bauchi state, before spreading to other towns and cities in the northeast of the West African nation. |
Nigeria's 'Taliban' enigma Eyewitness: Nigeria attacks Fear and tension after attack Nigerian attacks: Your reaction | Nigeria's 'Taliban' enigma Eyewitness: Nigeria attacks Fear and tension after attack Nigerian attacks: Your reaction |
Crowds of militants tried to storm government buildings and the city's police headquarters, but dozens of them were shot dead by security forces. | Crowds of militants tried to storm government buildings and the city's police headquarters, but dozens of them were shot dead by security forces. |
Several days of gun battles between militants and Nigerian security forces ensued, culminating in the assault on the militant's stronghold. | Several days of gun battles between militants and Nigerian security forces ensued, culminating in the assault on the militant's stronghold. |
It is thought more than 300 people have died in the violence - some estimates say 600, although there has been no official confirmation. | It is thought more than 300 people have died in the violence - some estimates say 600, although there has been no official confirmation. |
The Red Cross said about 3,500 people had fled the fighting and were being housed in their camp. | The Red Cross said about 3,500 people had fled the fighting and were being housed in their camp. |
Witnesses and human rights groups have accused the military of excessive violence in quelling the militants, but the army says it used a minimal amount of force. | Witnesses and human rights groups have accused the military of excessive violence in quelling the militants, but the army says it used a minimal amount of force. |
Police say Mr Yusuf was a preacher from Yobe state, who had four wives and 12 children. | Police say Mr Yusuf was a preacher from Yobe state, who had four wives and 12 children. |
They described him as a inspirational character. | They described him as a inspirational character. |
His sect, Boko Haram, is against Western education. It believes Nigeria's government is being corrupted by Western ideas and wants to see Islamic law imposed across Nigeria. | His sect, Boko Haram, is against Western education. It believes Nigeria's government is being corrupted by Western ideas and wants to see Islamic law imposed across Nigeria. |
Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence. | Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence. |
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 violence? Send us your comments. name="say"> | |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |