VIVAnews - Over 2500 Nigerians were trapped in a battle involving the Muslim militant group and the government troops when they were trying to leave the area of conflict in North Nigeria. Red Cross Spokesperson, Aliyu Maikanu on Wednesday, July 29, said there were more than 400 people were killed and only 150 bodies were laid at the general hospital in Maiduguri.
As quoted by CNN, Maikanu said the fight broke in the border area of the city. Only security personnel were free to wander around the area. More than 1000 militants were hiding at their stations in Maiduguri and police officers have surrounded the area.
National Police spokesperson Emmanuel Ojukwu said the police had successfully released 187 women and children who, according to the police, were taken hostage by the leader of the resistance group, Mohammed Yusuf.
The militant group does not approve the Islamic education given by the government because they consider the government has let themselves influenced by the Western values.
According to Ojukwu, the militants are targeting government’s major institutions which are the Police and Islamic clerics. An operation to fight the militants is being executed. Police officers have been placed in the entire northeast and northwest area.
Nigeria has history of religion-based violence in the middle area where Muslims majority from North Africa met the Christians from the sub-Sahara of Africa. Human Rights Watch estimates there have been more than 1000 people killed in the 2001 riot.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
