fourtooneodds

Clashes between the army and members of the Boko Haram sect has killed 18 people in northeastern Nigeria, sources said, and military officials said Saturday.  Boko Haram, which wants to impose Islamic law in northern Nigeria, and other Islamic groups have become the biggest threat to stability in Africa's largest oil exporter, according to Reuters.

Suspected members of Boko Haram killed 11 people in an attack in the town of Damboa in Borno State, on Thursday, shooting soldiers, burning shops and killing civilians, said a military source, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to give an official statement .  "More troops have been dispatched to the area to deal with the rebels. They slipped away towards the bushes leading to Yobe and Gombe States," the source said.  Around 50 armed men in cars and motorcycles in the country stormed the town, forcing hundreds of residents to flee to hide in the surrounding area farms, local residents said.

In Gombe State, police killed seven members of Boko Haram in a gun battle two hours on Friday morning, said police spokesman told reporters Atajiri Fwaje Gombe.  President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in mid-May and launched an attack on the stronghold of the group in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the northeast.

Rebellion initially weakened but still active and there has been an increase in violence in the last month.  The main goals of Boko Haram is the security forces or government officials.  It also has conducted several attacks against Muslim and Christian pilgrims, as well as schools and markets.