REPORTING FROM JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA -- Boko Haram, the radical Islamic group in northern Nigeria, has killed 935 people since 2009, the bulk of them in the last year, Human Rights Watch reports.
Last year Boko Haram's attacks grew more sophisticated and aggressive, with the militants launching suicide bombings and drive-by shootings that killed about 550 people, the rights group said. In the first few week of this year, Boko Haram launched 51 attacks, more than two a day on average, killing 253 people.
U.S. officials fear the group's change in tactics and increased use of suicide bombers indicates growing links and support with Al Qaeda or its affiliates on the continent.
Its most deadly attack last week in the country's second-largest city, Kano, killed 185, according to Human Rights Watch. Late Friday the militants launched suicide bombings and other attacks against the police headquarters, security headquarters, three police stations, a police barracks and other government buildings as armed Boko Haram fighters clashed with security officials.
Most of the dead were residents of the northern city; about 34 were security or government officials. Police said that they found 10 vehicles loaded with explosives after Friday's attacks.
Nigeria is divided between the mainly Muslim north and mainly Christian south. Boko Haram is fighting to impose Sharia law and Islamic education across the entire country, including in predominantly Christian areas. It has targeted Christian churchgoers and church figures in recent attacks. Read the rest on:
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