Fugitives from Nigeria revolt in shootout; 7 killed (failed rebellion)

Reuters ^ | MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Jan 6, 2004

[miltonim]

Seven suspected Islamic extremists, on the run after a failed rebellion in northeastern Nigeria, were killed in a gunfight on Monday, police said on Tuesday.

Authorities have been tracking suspects since hundreds of militants attacked police stations and government buildings in five towns last week. State media said they wanted to impose a Taliban-style Islamic government.

The seven fugitives had sought refuge in Sandiya, a village 100 km (60 miles) from Cameroon, police said. The deaths brought the number of confirmed killed in the week-long uprising to 16, including two policemen.

State television said 47 suspected militants were arrested in the northeastern Yobe state on Tuesday. Nigeria's 130 million population is split between Muslims and Christians. Religious and ethnic fighting has killed at least 10,000 people since 1999, when military rule ended in the world's seventh biggest oil exporter.

[gridlock]

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you because you have been recommended to me by a mutual friend as somebody who can help me with a problem. When attempting to rebel against the Nigerian government, my collegues and I were lavishly funded by certain out-of-state interests. I now need you assistance in getting this Saudi oil money out of the country...

[miltonim]

Sounds interesting. Is there some way I can help you in your project?

[gridlock]

Polly Toynbee, is that you?

[J. Semper Paratus]

Nigeria is a sad place for the Christians of the oil-rich south. The government is dominated by the Northern Islamics , and Christians for decades have been targets of killing for little or no reason at all by the Muslims. I know a member of a family that tried to help free the Christians, establishing the country of Biafra. His father, the former president of a mining company, was murdered and his business confiscated by the Islamics. He relates that when Muslims murder Christians in the north, they then won't even allow their 'infidel' bodies to be buried there... they must be transported south (decomposing usually) to the South for burial.

Nigeria is a large, bleeding example of what happens when Islamicists establish power in countries where there are other religions.

Americans... look around and see how many Mosques are here now in the USA...