Islamist Group Claims Responsibility for Nigeria Bombing

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June 16, 2011

Islamist Group Claims Responsibility for Nigeria Bombing

Militant Islamist group Boko Haram is claiming responsibility for a suicide

bombing outside a police headquarters in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, Thursday. At

least two people were killed and several others wounded in the blast.

Nigerian police spokesman Olusola Amore says the explosion struck the parking

lot of a police headquarters Thursday morning, killing the suspected suicide

bomber and a police traffic warden, and destroying at least 30 cars.

Amore said the explosion occurred when the traffic warden climbed into the

bomber's vehicle to direct it to the parking lot to be searched.

" The criminal elements behind this dastardly act will be fished out as the

government, the police and other security agencies will not succumb to the

demands of any criminal group or individuals, " said Amore.

The police spokesman said an investigation is underway, adding that police

suspect the radical Nigerian group Boko Haram was behind the attack.

A spokesman for Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the explosion in an

interview Thursday with VOA.

Spokesman Usman Alzawahiri says yes, the blast is their handiwork. We are behind

it, he says, and we are going to attack the entire north and other parts of the

country, including the capital, Abuja. He says Boko Haram personnel just

returned from Somalia five days ago and have been scattered around northern

parts of the country. He says they are advising everyone to be wary.

Earlier this week, the group had laid out its conditions for a ceasefire and

government-proposed peace talks.

However, Alzawahiri told VOA that for the moment, those efforts at

reconciliation had collapsed and security agencies should prepare for

intensified attacks.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility earlier this month for a series of bombings

that killed 16 people after President Goodluck 's inauguration.

The group is also blamed for the killings of Muslim and Christian religious

leaders and at least three bomb attacks this month in Borno State.

The group's name in the Hausa language means " Western education in a sin. " It

seeks to undermine state authority and calls for the stricter application of

sharia, or Islamic law, in Nigeria.