The Islamist militant group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a devastating car bomb attack that killed at least 18 people at a United Nations compound in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Aug. 26. Police immediately responded by deploying bulldozers around the city to demolish all "illegal" structures, with the aim of securing better control of the streets. Several makeshift homes and shops have been destroyed.

Boko Haram is apparently collaborating with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). It has reportedly kidnapped a Briton and an Italian in northern Nigeria, and turned them over to AQIM. Statements by AQIM this year have praised Boko Haram and offered weaponry to the Nigerian militant organization. (Nigeria Daily Sun, Aug. 27; Toronto Globe & Mail, Aug. 26)

See our last post on Nigeria.

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