Nigeria beefs up security ahead of Ramadan feast
ABUJA (AP) — Nigerian forces
say they are increasing security nationwide ahead Eid al-Fitr, the
Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan.
Emmanuel Okeh, a spokesman for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, said Nigeria is deploying 50,000 troops and counterterrorism units, including special forces, a nuclear, biological chemical and radioactive squad and "sniffer dogs."
He said troops will patrol gathering spots, highways and other "strategic places."
Since Wednesday at least 57 people have been killed in four separate attacks. Islamic militants Boko Haram are largely blamed for the violence, having already killed thousands of people in five years of insurgency.
Large portions of Nigeria's northeast have been under emergency rule for more than a year. But in this week's violence, all but 12 of the victims were outside the security zones.
Emmanuel Okeh, a spokesman for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, said Nigeria is deploying 50,000 troops and counterterrorism units, including special forces, a nuclear, biological chemical and radioactive squad and "sniffer dogs."
He said troops will patrol gathering spots, highways and other "strategic places."
Since Wednesday at least 57 people have been killed in four separate attacks. Islamic militants Boko Haram are largely blamed for the violence, having already killed thousands of people in five years of insurgency.
Large portions of Nigeria's northeast have been under emergency rule for more than a year. But in this week's violence, all but 12 of the victims were outside the security zones.
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