Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's son shot in Boko Haram attack

 The son of Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been shot and wounded in a battle with militant Islamists, the ex-leader's aide says.

Lt Col Adeboye Obasanjo was injured as the army fought to recapture the north-eastern town of Michika from Boko Haram, Muhammad Keffi told the BBC.

"Scores of insurgents" were also killed in the battle, the military said.

Last month, Boko Haram declared an Islamic state in areas it controls in north-eastern Nigeria.

Experts raised concerns that Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, could break up in a way similar to Iraq and Syria where the militant group Islamic State (IS) has declared a caliphate.

'One Nigeria'
Thousands of people are fleeing their homes in Mubi, the second largest city and commercial hub of north-eastern Adamawa state, amid fears that it could be Boko Haram's next target, reports the BBC's Bashir Sa'ad Abdullahi from the capital, Abuja.

Boko Haram insurgents have over-run Michika and Bazza, two towns close to Mubi, in recent days, he says.

The attack on a platoon headed by Col Obasanjo coincided with a ferocious air assault on the militants, Nigeria's privately owned This Day newspaper reports.

Col Obasanjo was in a stable condition in hospital, Mr Keffi told the BBC's Hausa service.

His front-line role showed the family's commitment to "one Nigeria", Mr Keffi said.

A total of two officers and three soldiers were wounded in the battle, the military said.

'Cross-border raid'
Olusegun Obasanjo fought in Nigeria's 1967-1970 civil war, when the military put down a rebellion to create the breakaway state of Biafra in the south-east.

A former military ruler in the late 1970s, he won two elections when Nigeria returned to multi-party democracy in 1999.

In May, he said President Goodluck Jonathan was "overwhelmed" by the security situation in the north-east and he should not run for another term in elections due next year.

Boko Haram's five-year insurgency is seen as the biggest threat to Nigeria's territorial integrity since the 1967-70 conflict, analysts say.

The group has changed tactics in recent months, holding on to towns in the north-east, where most people are Muslims, rather than carrying out hit-and-run attacks.

BBC

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Video - The state of Nigerian governance and Boko Haram

U.S. Air Marshal attacked with syringe at airport in Lagos, Nigeria

A U.S. air marshal was assaulted with a syringe containing an "unknown substance" at the Lagos, Nigeria, airport on Sunday, according to the FBI, which said it is investigating the incident.

The air marshal flew back to the United States after the attack and "felt fine" the entire 12-hour flight, a U.S. law enforcement official told CNN.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an on-scene screening of the victim when United Flight 143 landed in Houston early Monday morning," a statement from the FBI read.

"The victim did not exhibit any signs of illness during the flight and was transported to a hospital upon landing for further testing," the statement said, adding that "none of the testing conducted has indicated a danger to other passengers."

Investigators are looking at whether the air marshal, who did not exchange words with the attacker before the incident, was targeted because he's American. However, there is no concern at this point in the investigation that the attack is part of a bigger threat, according to the source.

CNN

Nigerian military recaptures Bama Town from Boko Haram

The Nigerian army has recaptured the strategic town of Bama in northeastern Borno state from the Islamist terror group Boko Haram and blocked its march on the state capital of Maiduguri, according to a senior Nigerian official.

The official added that the government forces are also fighting a southward advance by the group into the neighbouring state of Adamawa.

"Bama has been recaptured by the soldiers and I can confirm to you Maiduguri is safe," the official in Abuja said.

The military had conducted air strikes on the militants' positions around the town following its capture last week.

A market trader from Bama, Babagana Modu, told Reuters that the soldiers now controlled the town.

Following its capture of other towns in Borno state such as Damboa and Gwoza, the group's leader Abubakar Shekau declared the creation of a "Muslim state" in similar fashion to that of Isis' caliphate which straddles the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Last week, the Nigeria Security Network warned that an offensive on the city by the Sunni Islamist militants was imminent.

"If Maiduguri falls, it will be a symbolic and strategic victory unparalleled so far in the conflict," the group said.

"Unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis's lightning advances in Iraq."

The seizure of territory in the country's northeast marks a change in tactics by the group who, until recently, were conducting hit-and-run raids on towns and villages in the restive regions.

Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck, who is seeking re-election in February next year, has been increasingly criticised for his inaction against the terror group.

Earlier this year, the group – which wishes to expand its 'Caliphate' in north-eastern Nigeria –kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in the village of Chibok, bringing global attention to the west African nation's fight against terrorism.

Three states – Borno, Yobe and Adamawa – have been under a state of emergency since May last year.

According to Human Rights Watch, the militants have killed at least 2,053 people since the beginning of 2014.

IBT

Related story: Boko Haram seize town in Adamawa state

Boko Haram seize town in Adamawa state

Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram has captured the key north-eastern town of Michika, residents say, gaining more territory in its efforts to create an Islamic state.

People fled into bushes as gunfire rang out in the town, they added.

Boko Haram has changed tactics in recent months by holding on to territory rather than launching hit-and-run attacks.

The government called on Nigerians not to lose hope.

The military was committed to defending Nigeria's territorial integrity, it said.

Soldiers killed 50 militants during a raid on their hideout in the small north-eastern town of Kawuri at the weekend, the army said.

Last month, Boko Haram said it had established an Islamic state in areas it controls in north-eastern Nigeria.

Michika is a trading centre in Adamawa state not far from the Cameroon border.

'Fear and panic'
Concern is mounting that the group plans to target Maiduguri, capital of neighbouring Borno state, says the BBC Hausa Service's Bilikisu Babangida.

Thousands of people who have fled towns and villages captured by Boko Haram are taking refuge in the city, which has a population of about two million.

The fall of Michika will add to the fear and panic that has gripped the north-east, as it shows Boko Haram is gaining territory not only in their heartland of Borno but also in Adamawa state, our reporter says.

Amid fears that Boko Haram could advance further into Adamawa, the university in Mubi town has shut, she says.

On Thursday, the militants captured the small town of Gulak after earlier seizing Madagali, which borders Adamawa and Borno states.

Residents told the BBC that Boko Haram fighters entered Michika on Sunday in a convoy of vehicles.

A military jet circled over the town, causing the militants to hide in people's homes, they said.

There was confusion as people ran into the bush fleeing gunfire, residents added.

It was unclear who opened fire as the insurgents often wear uniforms similar to the Nigerian soldiers, they said.

Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, vowing to send more troops to crush the insurgency.

However, Boko Haram has stepped up its offensive since then.

In April, the militants captured more than 200 girls from a boarding school in the town of Chibok, also in Borno state.

Countries such as China, France, the UK and US have sent military assistance to help find the girls but they have not yet been rescued.

BBC

Related stories: Boko Haram now threatens state capital

Another Northern Nigerian town falls to Boko Haram

Dubai firm to buy $300 million stake in Nigeria cement company

Investment Corp of Dubai (ICD), the state fund which holds stakes in some of the emirate's top firms, has agreed to buy a $300 million stake in top Nigerian cement producer Dangote Cement, a spokesman for Dangote said on Monday.

Carl Franklin, Dangote's head of investor relations, did not give further details. Dangote's current market capitalisation is about $23.7 billion, meaning ICD is taking a stake of about 1.3 percent.
Dangote, owned by Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, is Nigeria's biggest company. It is expanding operations and plans to roll out cement plants across Africa.

Reuters

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