'Extremists unleash war' in Nigeria

  • 10 years ago
The abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Nigeria brought Boko Haram out of the shadows and into the world's consciousness

More than six weeks after the kidnapping the country's president says the Islamist group has started a war.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NIGERIAN PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN SAYING:

"Dear compatriots, it is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terror on our shores. Our dear country Nigeria is facing a new challenge. War has been unleashed on us."

Boko Haram began as a religious movement opposed to Western culture, but has emerged as a well armed, fully fledged insurrection.

Many believe they have support from external islamist groups

Reuters estimates that since the day of the girls' abduction, Boko harm has killed at least 500 civilians.

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