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Islamist death 'good for Nigeria' | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
A Nigerian government minister has expressed relief at the death of an Islamic sect leader, Mohammed Yusuf. | |
Yusuf's body was shown to journalists on Thursday just hours after police said they had captured him. | |
Human rights campaigners alleged he had been executed, but police said on Friday that he died in a shoot-out following days of bloody fighting. | |
Information Minister Dora Akunyili told the BBC that the government "does not condone extra-judicial killings". | |
The militant group led by Yusuf has been blamed for days of violent unrest in which hundreds of people died in clashes between his followers and security forces. | |
AT THE SCENE Bilkisu BabangidaBBC News, Maiduguri At about 1600 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 1900. | |
They kept us waiting, they kept all the newsmen away from the scene. | |
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. | 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. |
His group - known as Boko Haram or Taliban - wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and impose a strict version of Islamic law. | |
The bullet-riddled body of Mohammed Yusuf, 39, was seen hours after police announced he had been captured in the northern city of Maiduguri. | |
The BBC's Bilkisu Babangida says the city is returning to normal, with shops and banks re-opening. | |
She says many residents are happy that Mr Yusuf is dead. | |
'Shocking' | |
Information Minister Dora Akunyili told the BBC's Network Africa that she was concerned about the death and that the government would find out "exactly what happened". | |
However Mohammed Yusuf's demise was "positive" for Nigeria, she added. | |
"What is important is that he [Yusuf] has been taken out of the way, to stop him using people to cause mayhem." | |
She accused Mr Yusuf of "brainwashing" youths to cause trouble. | |
Ms Akunyili praised the security forces, saying they had managed to stop the violence spreading even further and that normality was returning to the region. | |
Human Rights Watch staff 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 Eric Guttschuss, of the New York-based rights group. | |
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." | |
'Trying to escape' | |
Troops had stormed Boko Haram's stronghold in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri on Wednesday night, killing many of the militants and forcing others to flee. | |
No surprise at Nigeria killing In pictures: Clashes aftermath Nigeria's 'Taliban' enigma Islamist death: Your reaction | |
Mr Yusuf was arrested the following day after reportedly being found hiding in a goat pen at his parents-in-law's house. | |
Later, 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 shoot-out 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." | One policeman told AFP news agency Mr Yusuf had "pleaded for mercy and forgiveness before he was shot." |
'Inspirational' | |
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. |
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. | Are you in Nigeria? Have you been affected by the violence? 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 & 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 |