Nigeria Deploys Troops to Aid Christians, Experts Fear Civil War

January 4, 2012

The Nigerian government has deployed troops to several cities in the northern part of the country after a series of deadly attacks from the Islamist militant group Boko Haram and threats toward Christians to flee the area, the Christian Post reports. Two platoons were sent to Plateau and Borno states to combat the increasing number of Boko Haram attacks, just days after Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency there. Officials are questioning the seriousness of the ultimatum Boko Haram gave Christians on Monday to leave the area within three days; Christian leaders have encouraged Christians to remain in the area, but many fear Boko Haram plans to bring its threats to reality. "The strategy by [Boko Haram] is to simply draw the larger Muslim and Christian population into a civil war," said Shehu Sani, president of the Civil Rights Congress.