Date Published: 07/27/09

71 feared dead as Taliban inspired violence spread in Northern Nigeria

Musa Yar'Adua

No fewer than 71 people have been reportedly killed in the ancient city of Maiduguri, Borno State, in the ongoing killings by armed militia men believed to be muslim fundamentalist said to be inspired by the Afghan Taliban. The Fighting and killings is said to be spreading to kano State, another hot bed where islamic fundamentalist groups are alleged to have strong root.

On Sunday more than 70 fighters from the fundamentalist group armed with guns and grenades attacked a police station in Nigeria's northern Bauchi state. Reports claimed that more than 200 members of the militia group were killed by the police

Members of the group are alleged to be former students who are clamoring for sharing law to be the dorminant legal system across Nigeria.

More than 700 people died in November, 2008 in Jos, capital of Plateau state, when a political feud over a local election degenerated into bloody confrontation between Muslims and Christians.

No official words yet from the Nigerian Government as fighting continues.

More to Come