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Paris — Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls, is no longer a local threat but has become West Africa’s al-Qaeda, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said on Saturday.“Boko Haram is no longer a local terrorist group, it is operating clearly as an Al-Qaeda operation, it is an al-Qaeda of West Africa,” Jonathan said in Paris following a meeting of West African leaders on the issue.
“We have shown our commitment for a regional approach. Without West African countries coming together we will not be able to crush these terrorists.”
Meanwhile, a Cameroonian soldier was killed and 10 Chinese nationals were feared kidnapped after an overnight attack in northern Cameroon believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram militants from Nigeria, police said on Saturday.
“Boko Haram Islamists attacked a camp (of road workers) . . . Ten Chinese cannot be found since the attack. We think they have probably been kidnapped,” a local police chief said on condition of anonymity.
One Cameroonian soldier was killed, said the source, correcting an earlier statement which said a Chinese national died in the attack.
In a related incident the ANC Women’s League of South Africa said on Saturday Boko Haram is a group of terrorists that is not supported by any religious groups. “[Boko Haram] is vehemently opposed by all religious groupings including Islam and goes against the fundamental principles of the Islam religion by removing innocent children from their families,” the league said in a statement after a meeting in Johannesburg.
“We commit our solidarity to the women of Nigeria, both Muslims and Christians, in every effort possible for the safe return of the kidnapped schoolgirls.”
The girls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok in north-eastern Borno state on April 14 by militant group Boko Haram. Nigerian police have offered a reward of 50 million naira for a lead on their whereabouts.
According to the Associated Press, Boko Haram would reportedly sell them into slavery unless the government freed detained insurgents.
The ANCWL called on leaders and people around the world to unite in efforts to find the girls.
“We shall never sit back as spectators while our girls’ human rights are taken away,” the league said.
“We will keep the flame of awareness burning by holding various events to highlight the plight of these girls until they have been returned safely to their homes.” — Sapa
derick.khumalo