Boko Haram declares Caliphate in north-eastern Nigeria

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) warns of a spiral of violence in the struggle against the Islamist sect Boko Haram in Nigeria. "The civilian population in the north-east of the country is suffering from the consequences of the escalation of violence between the Islamists and police, army and paramilitary forces," reported Ulrich Delius, the STP's Africa-consultant, in Göttingen on Friday. "In newly conquered cities, Boko Haram usually introduces Sharia-law and its cruel and unjust penalties, murders Christians and burns down marketplaces and churches – whereas the security forces apparently shot 16 members of the terrorist movement who had been kept in custody. Those who are responsible for these alleged acts of retaliation must be brought to justice in order to prevent a further escalation of violence. The Nigerian laws and the international conventions on human rights must not be violated – not even in the struggle against Boko Haram!"

In July 2009, Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram's founder, was killed in custody – and the civilian population is suffering from the subsequent wave of violence until today. Several thousand civilians were killed in raids and attacks by the terrorist movement already. Last Wednesday, 16 Muslims were killed just hours after they were arrested during morning prayers in Potiskum. The revenge attack was confirmed by employees of a hospital. The victims belonged to the ethnic group of the Kanuri, just like Boko Haram's leaders. Last Friday, a civil militia ambushed and killed 41 Boko Haram fighters. The victim's severed heads were publicly displayed in order to demystify the sect.

"We are deeply concerned that Boko Haram is planning to establish a caliphate in north-eastern Nigeria," said Delius. The Islamist terror movement has already gained control of two dozen cities. James Ngilarie, Governor of Adamawa, fears that the terrorist movement will soon overrun his state. Last week, Boko Haram already managed to conquer Adamawa's second largest city, Mubi. After several Christians were killed, the surviving members of the religious community were ordered to leave the city. According to eyewitness reports, Churches were set on fire – and the Islamists renamed Mubi to "City of Islam". The city Gwoza in Borno was renamed to "House of Wisdom".

Boko Haram enforces Sharia-law and its inhuman penal provisions in all of the conquered regions. In Mubi, ten people who were accused of theft lost their hands as a consequence. Also, there have already been cases of flogging and stoning.