Nigerian Violence Exploding!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Scale of Nigerian unrest emerges

Around 700 people were killed in the city at the centre of the recent wave of violence in Nigeria, according to a senior regional military official.

Col Ben Ahanotu, head of security in Maiduguri, said that mass burials had begun there.

An earlier tally of victims of the unrest, in which police battled Islamists, put the figure at 400.

Life in the affected areas is now beginning to return to normal with banks and markets reopening.

Col Ahanotu said the compound of the Islamist sect behind the violence was being used as one of the burial sites because bodies were decomposing in the heat.

He told the Associated Press news agency that officials gathering bodies had found "almost 700".

The compound used by the Boko Haram sect was destroyed by government troops and is now smouldering rubble.

More members of the sect have been arrested in house-to-house searches across northern Nigeria and the military said most would be prosecuted.

Maiduguri is the capital of Borno state but the fighting spread to cities across the north of the country and the total death toll is unknown.

A military spokesman said two of those killed were soldiers and 13 were police officers.

The number of injured, meanwhile, is still being counted. The Red Cross had earlier said about 3,500 people fled the fighting.

The violence ended on Thursday when the sect's leader, Mohamed Yusuf, was killed by police.

The controversy surrounding his death continues. The police say he was killed in a shoot-out while he was being detained. But Col Ahanotu says he captured him and handed him over alive.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

nigeria isn't in mena.......

mena includes Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, The West Bank And Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

moved from mena to Africa: Sub-Saharan (which includes nigeria - All of Africa except the five nations bordering the Mediterranean.)

Edited August 2, 2009 by charles!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

That kind of behavior seems to be regional and in a part of the country that doesn't seem to involve itself in relationships with Americans. Guess that is included in the distain of western influences. It has no affect on the parts of Nigeria I visit.

[GabiandVi 34]

The OP seems to have something against Nigeria. I don't know the history there, so I can't comment. I will say that my husband is from next door, Benin, and most Beninese I know would not enter Nigeria, but that has more to do with the corruption than violence. As for the violence, you'd have to have a more internal perspective to make a decision about visiting.

I lived in Greece during the war in Kosovo. My mother was really worried because, by American standards, I was very close to the violence. (I lived relatively near the border.) However, by European standards of distance, I might as well have been in China. The only fallout I experienced from this violence was a rise in Anti-American sentiment among Greeks who felt that it was a religious war of a pro-Catholic America against "Christians," meaning Orthodox Christian religions.

Our vision looking in can be quite skewed. I was abroad during Katrina, but I have family who were in the thick of things, and while they told me that it was worse than what the media showed, it was, at the same time, not nearly as bad. The media chooses to focus on what is most sensational. It's hard to get a good picture of reality. Only the locals can give a true picture of what is going on.

[nurse1967 287]

Just because the person posted this certainly doesn't mean they "have anything against" Nigeria. Many of us married people from parts of the world that are less than SAFE. If a personal feels safe traveling to these types of places then that's their own personal judgement. But, let's not put on blinders and pretend that there isn't tons of violence in Sub Saharan Africa.

[GabiandVi 34]

Just because the person posted this certainly doesn't mean they "have anything against" Nigeria. Many of us married people from parts of the world that are less than SAFE. If a personal feels safe traveling to these types of places then that's their own personal judgement. But, let's not put on blinders and pretend that there isn't tons of violence in Sub Saharan Africa.

What makes me feel that the OP has something against Nigeria is the subtitle, "Would this deter you from going there now?" along with several other references to Nigeria from OP on other strands in ways that did not address the topic. Maybe I'm wrong about the OP's purpose in posting this. But I'm far from pretending that there isn't tons of violence in A LOT of places around the world, including Nigeria.

As I said, my husband wouldn't step foot in Nigeria, and he lives just a few miles from the border, speaks the language, and shares the predominant culture. But he is so opposed to going there, when he was flying home from China one time, he flew Addis Ababa, Lagos, Accra, Lome. He could have gotten off in Lagos and been home at least half a day earlier and he could have avoided two more legs of the flight. It also would have cost less. However, he chose to continue on to Lome which is a bit farther from his home than Lagos, but he would have added a couple more legs to his flight to avoid going through Nigeria.

My point was that people who have loved ones in Nigeria whom they want to visit would probably get better information about the threat of violence in that particular region of the country than any news article. My comment was more about the way the West views places like Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, etc. For the most part, our opinions of those places are based solely on a few articles here and there. Maybe a single article or incident. Nigeria is a large country. I've worked with people who spent years working in Nigeria with violence occuring in the next town. They were less concerned about the violence with regard to their personal safety than they were about corruption getting out of the airport and the multiple B&Es and theft of their personal property. I've known people who've lived in Angola and in Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Kenya. I have friends from Rwanda and Burma/Myanmar. I know people who have lived, visited, and who are from unsafe places.

I've lived around the world and have witnessed first hand things that were being reported back home. What I have seen in reality is usually very different from what I've seen on the news, whether it is worse than reported or better than reported. I'm not saying that a person thinking of visiting Nigeria shouldn't be informed. I'm saying that they probably know better than we do and maybe even better than the reporters do what is going on.

[KDOR 1]

Why should anyone make the unrest in Nigeria a issue a topic??? This stuff happens everywhere be it fighting, killing, scammers, hurricane, suicide bomber, islamist, protestant,orthodox, governments and minority groups, border disputes, top secret murders, robbery, buglars, drugs it in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America.

Stop sentiments discuss general issues and address them, NO country is innocent and non can exsist in isolation, Nigeria may have its predicament and has the spotlight on it but that do not mean there is fighting all over that country or that all of the people in that Nation are bad WE are all brothers and sisters, whatever is going on in Nigeria is just in 1 state out of the 36 states in that country.

If you are going to see anyone in NIgeria enquire from them how is the situation of things there before dont rely on CNN or BBC get first hand information from the people living there.

This is just my own opinion and i stand to be corrected if anybody outhere thinks am wrong.

God Bless us all

[nurse1967 287]

I think it's naive on your behalf to imply that Nigeria is as safe as just about anywhere else. It is common knowledge that a LARGE portion of Sub Saharan Africa is very dangerous ESPECIALLY for US citizens. Just because your SO is from this country you cannot DENY the issues at hand. That would be like me saying that it is SAFE to go to all Middle Eastern countries which would be pure stupidity on my behalf.

[shashar 0]

I would love to visit Nigeria one day,my sister spent 10years of her adult life there,and there are tens of Cameroonians either on buisness,studies or whatever there.According to my sister,who now lives in the states,Nigeria ,especially Abuja is one of the most beautiful,rich cities in the world.And i agree with her,period.

I think what is happening in Nigeria,correct me if am wrong is influence by greedy Western nations ,along with our greedy african leaders,who wants to deprieve the people of their natural resource.The case with Nigeria being Oil.

Take a look around you and tell me which nation is safe and peacefull?

You want to talk about violence?Watch CNN ,,,and Leave Nigeria Alone.

Peace,Peace.

Mezoh

[shashar 0]

Why should anyone make the unrest in Nigeria a issue a topic??? This stuff happens everywhere be it fighting, killing, scammers, hurricane, suicide bomber, islamist, protestant,orthodox, governments and minority groups, border disputes, top secret murders, robbery, buglars, drugs it in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America.

Stop sentiments discuss general issues and address them, NO country is innocent and non can exsist in isolation, Nigeria may have its predicament and has the spotlight on it but that do not mean there is fighting all over that country or that all of the people in that Nation are bad WE are all brothers and sisters, whatever is going on in Nigeria is just in 1 state out of the 36 states in that country.

If you are going to see anyone in NIgeria enquire from them how is the situation of things there before dont rely on CNN or BBC get first hand information from the people living there.

This is just my own opinion and i stand to be corrected if anybody outhere thinks am wrong.

God Bless us all

Well said brother or sister ,,,Lets address the issues and stop finger pointing...

peace.

[zariagirl 0]

Why should anyone make the unrest in Nigeria a issue a topic??? This stuff happens everywhere be it fighting, killing, scammers, hurricane, suicide bomber, islamist, protestant,orthodox, governments and minority groups, border disputes, top secret murders, robbery, buglars, drugs it in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America.

Stop sentiments discuss general issues and address them, NO country is innocent and non can exsist in isolation, Nigeria may have its predicament and has the spotlight on it but that do not mean there is fighting all over that country or that all of the people in that Nation are bad WE are all brothers and sisters, whatever is going on in Nigeria is just in 1 state out of the 36 states in that country.

If you are going to see anyone in NIgeria enquire from them how is the situation of things there before dont rely on CNN or BBC get first hand information from the people living there.

This is just my own opinion and i stand to be corrected if anybody outhere thinks am wrong.

God Bless us all

Well said indeed! It is always very interesting to read certain comments made by people who have probably never been to Nigeria.

Edited August 2, 2009 by zariagirl

[GabiandVi 34]

I think it's naive on your behalf to imply that Nigeria is as safe as just about anywhere else. It is common knowledge that a LARGE portion of Sub Saharan Africa is very dangerous ESPECIALLY for US citizens. Just because your SO is from this country you cannot DENY the issues at hand. That would be like me saying that it is SAFE to go to all Middle Eastern countries which would be pure stupidity on my behalf.

I don't want you to feel that I'm attacking you. I'm not. I'm just curious. Would you avoid visiting Egypt? I know a lot of people who would think anyone who visits Egypt is taking their own lives in their hands because of the attacks on Western tourists that have occurred over recent years. I assume you know what I'm talking about. It was the only thing I heard about Egypt for about two or three years. I've never been to Egypt, but I've always wanted to visit. Would you advise me to stay away? I've thought of taking a job there. Should I be frightened to do so?

[Perseverance 1]

OK so IDK if anyone who posted here has actually been keeping track of what is going on....

The violence is not due to oil....this time. The northern part of Nigeria is made up of mostly Islamic people, so much that the northern part is governed by Sharia Law. There are "radical" Islamic people who have decided that there is too much western influence in Nigeria, so they are trying to do something about it....this is causing the violence. The violence has been contained to the northern part of Nigeria.

Am I worried to travel there..... a little...... however my husbands family is not from the north, at this time the southern part of Nigeria is fine. Violence in Nigeria is fairly common, but it does make me think twice about going there, or my husband visiting there.

There is ALWAYS violence in the delta region from what I call the "oil wars". We have regular communication with my husband's family and they are all fine. I have visited several times, ans never has a problem. I have never been afraid when I have been there.

Bottom line, do your homework, and be smart where ever you travel.

[nurse1967 287]

I think it's naive on your behalf to imply that Nigeria is as safe as just about anywhere else. It is common knowledge that a LARGE portion of Sub Saharan Africa is very dangerous ESPECIALLY for US citizens. Just because your SO is from this country you cannot DENY the issues at hand. That would be like me saying that it is SAFE to go to all Middle Eastern countries which would be pure stupidity on my behalf.

I don't want you to feel that I'm attacking you. I'm not. I'm just curious. Would you avoid visiting Egypt? I know a lot of people who would think anyone who visits Egypt is taking their own lives in their hands because of the attacks on Western tourists that have occurred over recent years. I assume you know what I'm talking about. It was the only thing I heard about Egypt for about two or three years. I've never been to Egypt, but I've always wanted to visit. Would you advise me to stay away? I've thought of taking a job there. Should I be frightened to do so?

I have been to Egypt. I am not insulted at ALL by your question. Two weeks after I left there a french school girl was killed by a bomb in the Al Khallili Bazaar. I have several pictures of my husband and myself there. I can tell you that that was the first murder of a tourist in Egypt in SEVERAL years. I am not afraid to travel to Egypt but violence is not a DAILY part of life there. Can you honestly say that Sub Saharan Africa is as safe as Egypt?? I think you should check the statistics and get back to me. I find it funny that people get so sensitive when people question their SO other's homeland.

[GabiandVi 34]

I think it's naive on your behalf to imply that Nigeria is as safe as just about anywhere else. It is common knowledge that a LARGE portion of Sub Saharan Africa is very dangerous ESPECIALLY for US citizens. Just because your SO is from this country you cannot DENY the issues at hand. That would be like me saying that it is SAFE to go to all Middle Eastern countries which would be pure stupidity on my behalf.

I don't want you to feel that I'm attacking you. I'm not. I'm just curious. Would you avoid visiting Egypt? I know a lot of people who would think anyone who visits Egypt is taking their own lives in their hands because of the attacks on Western tourists that have occurred over recent years. I assume you know what I'm talking about. It was the only thing I heard about Egypt for about two or three years. I've never been to Egypt, but I've always wanted to visit. Would you advise me to stay away? I've thought of taking a job there. Should I be frightened to do so?

I have been to Egypt. I am not insulted at ALL by your question. Two weeks after I left there a french school girl was killed by a bomb in the Al Khallili Bazaar. I have several pictures of my husband and myself there. I can tell you that that was the first murder of a tourist in Egypt in SEVERAL years. I am not afraid to travel to Egypt but violence is not a DAILY part of life there. Can you honestly say that Sub Saharan Africa is as safe as Egypt?? I think you should check the statistics and get back to me. I find it funny that people get so sensitive when people question their SO other's homeland.

I'm not being sensitive. It's not my SO's country. As I've said before, my SO has no love for Nigeria. My SO would not step foot in Nigeria. My SO's country is virtually unheard of BECAUSE it is stable and otherwise insignificant. It was heard about some last year at this time when it was one of the four countries Bush visited. He chose the four because of their stability, their progress in developing their infrastructure and and progress toward curbing corruption. He only visited Sub-Saharan countries, by the way. Even so, you could say that Benin is one of the least developed, most backwards countries in the world without offending me at all. If you did, youi'd probably be saying it because you've heard it from me. I don't have any dillusions about my SO's country and I have no dillusions about Nigeria. I, personally, will not go to Nigeria because I believe it to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. But I have no strong pull to Nigeria and, anyway, that was not my point.

Again, my point is that Africa is a BIG continent. You can visit one place in it and not be in any danger. Sub Sarahan Africa is a BIG place. You can visit one area of it and not be in any danger. Nigeria is a BIG country. You can visit one part of it and not be in any physical danger. I'll refer back to my original post. Americans, because of our mobility and our perception of distance think that if you are in the south of a country and there is violence in the north of the country, you are in immediate danger. But it isn't that way. Anyone who has traveled a good bit can tell you that. There are countries that are in absolute turmoil where you cannot rely on any governmental assistance or any infrastructure that would enable you to get out or get help. But Nigeria is not in civil war. Nigeria has pockets of violence. It is probably possible to visit Nigeria and not be affected by the type of violence that this article describes. I don't know for sure because I'm not there. I only know what the media tells me and my other point is that the media doesn't get any play if the news is good. They aren't going to publish articles about the normal lives of average Nigerians going about their business everyday unaffected by the violence elsewhere. The media sensationalizes everything. That's how they work. I've seen it first hand. My point is that the people in the country can give us a better picture of the level of danger than any of us here. And I've never met an African who does not warn Westerners away from places that most Westerners would find very tolerable but Africans consider too "African" for Westerners. This includes physical danger.

I probably wouldn't visit Egypt these days, not so much because I think there is a lot of violence there, but that the violence is not localized and it is aimed at Westerners. It is less predictible than the type of violence in Nigeria and therefore more difficult to avoid. Before I had a child, this wouldn't have bothered me. But your sense of responsibility overcomes your sense of adventure when you have children depending on you. For the same reason, I won't take a job in Indonesia, including Bali which I've always wanted to visit. For the same reason, I am more hesitant to visit Benin, not because of violence at all but because of malaria, etc., and the poor standards of medical care. For the same reason, I am diligent about locking my classroom door from the outside when I'm teaching in case some idiot, crazy student comes rampaging through my school on a shooting spree. But traveling to somewhat risky places has to be a personal decision. I don't consider my friends who work in Jakarta or in Cairo to be stupid because they choose to work there. They would consider me an alarmist, typically ignorant American for avoiding the countries.