The Nigerian army has killed the deputy leader of the Islamist group thought responsible for violence in Bauchi Town earlier this year, and for last weekend's violent attacks on Government facilities and churches in the four Northern and central Nigerian states of Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Yobe.

Bukar Shekau died along with around 100 militants as Nigerian troops overran the Boko Haram (translated as 'western education is sin') stronghold in the Railway Terminus Area of the northern city of Maiduguri.  However, residents remain confined to their homes as the army continues a mop up operation to capture fleeing militants.  These include the sect's leader, Yusuf Mohammed, who the Nigerian President has declared wanted "dead or alive". There is speculation that the militants are either attempting to flee to the Cameroon hills or to the neighbouring Republic of Chad.

In a telephone call to CSW a Maiduguri resident described a gun battle between troops and fleeing militants in his suburb that started at 10.30 this morning and ended at 12 noon: "It was very, very scary.  Gunshots were all around us.  Everyone was in their bedrooms lying on the ground.  It was terrible, but it's over now".  The resident added: "The whole world needs to know that this is happening.  We have never had it as bad as this.  We are grateful to God for sparing our lives, and we are praying it will soon be over but we don't know when. We have never seen anything like this before."

As government forces move through streets, buildings and homes searching for suspected Boko Haram supporters and engaging them in battle, several sources told CSW that many young Muslims are now shaving their beards and wearing western-style clothing. "The soldiers are making sure no-one escapes.  It is so intense; they don't arrest anymore. They just shoot them now, even at checkpoints.  No-one wants to be identified with them anymore.  With their explosives and attacks on police stations they have caused more havoc than ever before and are being disowned even by their fellow Muslims".

As well as attacking government installations, Boko Haram, which aims to cleanse Nigeria of western influences and impose Shari'a law country-wide, has also targeted Christian leaders and churches.  Local sources allege that several Christians may have been killed and many churches have been destroyed in the areas immediately surrounding the sect's Railway Terminus compound.

Due to the on-going military operation there are still no clear indications of how many people have died or been displaced in Maiduguri.  However, CSW was informed that a worker at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) claims around 1000 corpses were deposited in the hospital mortuary on Monday.  Nigerian press sources also describe the mortuary as being "full" of bodies.

Stuart Windsor, CSW's National Director said: "It is unfortunate that this incident has occurred in such a heavily populated civilian area, where the loss of innocent lives is almost unavoidable. While we commend the Government's decision to address the violence promptly on this occasion we regret that this has not always been the case, especially when victims of violence are predominantly non-Muslim. We therefore call on the Nigerian government to move swiftly whenever religious violence occurs.  It is also important to recognize that religious violence is often an indicator of a wider agenda which ultimately threatens the state itself."

Notes to the Editor:

1. Boko Haram has a presence in most states in Northern and central Nigeria. While trouble has been reported in Katsina and Sokoto States, the Governor of Kaduna State is said to have taken decisive security measures to ensure against tension in his state.
2. The government of Gombe state is also reported to have arrested seven members of Boko Haram.