by: jim kouri | published: 07 21, 2011

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A relatively unknown Islamic terrorist group in Nigeria is seeking an alliance with al-Qaeda and they're believed to be responsible for a series of bomb attacks in that African country, according to an intelligence source who spoke with the Law Enforcement Examiner.

Boko Haram (translated: "Western or non-Islamic education is a sin" is a controversial Nigerian Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah law in the northern states of Nigeria. The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".

A radical Islamist terrorist organization, Bokom Haram in the Nigerian capital of Borno were reportedly retaliating for a military crackdown on the group's headquarters. The battle between the Nigerian soldiers and the Bokom Haram has displaced thousands of villagers fleeing the violence.

According to the intelligence source, Boko Haram was formed by Muslim cleric in 2002 in Nigeria. While claiming to be a peace loving religious group, in the Summer of 2009 the radical Islamist organization launched a rebellion in the hope they would establish Sharia law and an Islamic state the northern part of Nigeria.

In the aftermath of Boko Haram's battle with the military in July 2009, over 800 were left dead, and hundreds more were wounded.

After the battle, Boko Haram's founder and leader Mohammed Yusuf and several ranking members including Yusuf's father were killed while in police custody.

Since January 2010, surviving terrorist group members have bombed targets and conducted guerilla warfare -- or hit-and-run -- operations. In one attack a police stationhouse was bombed last month. The group claimed responsibility for the bombing attack on the police force headquarters in Abuja that occurred the previous day. Officials believed that the attack was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria's history and that it specifically targeted Police Inspector-General Hafiz Ringim, according to the LEE source.

In another bombing, Boko Haram attacked a church -- the All Christian Fellowship Church -- in north Nigeria.

The Law Enforcement Examiner's intelligence source claims that Boko Haram members had received training in Somalia.

Other reports have suggested the same thing, saying Boko Haram already has links to international terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, and has the potential to link with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb which operates in nearby regions, according to Wall Street Journal.


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