BREAKING NEWS: Nigerian Journalist Killed by Boko Haram

According to CNN and (Reuters) - Suspected members of a radical Islamist sect shot dead a state television cameraman in Nigeria's remote northeast Saturday, union and military sources said, in what could be the first assassination of a journalist by the sect.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden," has been blamed by authorities for near daily shootings and deadly bombings around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, which sits in the far northeast corner of Africa's most populous nation on borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

The sect's attacks usually target the police, military, prominent religious figures and drinking spots but in recent weeks journalists have been threatened by the group, which says it wants sharia law more widely applied across Nigeria.

Alhaji Zakariya Isa, a journalist working for the government-owned Nigerian Television Authority, was killed by gunmen who attacked him at his home in Maiduguri.

"Zakariya was shot dead at his house in Bulunkutu Gomari by suspected Boko Haram this evening. We shall go to claim his body tomorrow for burial," said Abba Kakami, the Borno state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

"The NUJ will certainly take all the necessary steps to protect its members from further attacks."

A member of the joint military task force operating in Borno state confirmed the incident, but asked not to be named.

It was not clear if Isa had been specifically targeted by Boko Haram.

Boko Haram is growing in ambition and sophistication and authorities in Nigeria and abroad believe it has strengthening ties with al Qaeda's north African wing.

It claimed responsibility for Nigeria's first known suicide bombing in August, driving a car full of explosives into U.N. headquarters in the capital Abuja, killing 24 people.

It threatened reporters recently after the group claimed spokesmen who weren't part of the sect were being quoted in the media. The group has an ill-defined command structure and many people claim to speak on its behalf.

Posted: at 23-10-2011 01:25 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

 :'( heartless, stupid n dumassed creatures May d journalist soul R.I.P.

Posted: at 23-10-2011 06:55 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

those abducted, aberrants, abhorrence must surely pay 4 their freakin deeds. Swiky monsters.

Posted: at 23-10-2011 07:07 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Yes, this is really sad. It is obviously an attempt to frighten and intimidate other journalist.  This group wants to prevent journalist from reporting the truth. It actually has the opposite effect by confirming what we already know. Which is, these guys will attempt to murder anyone who opposes or does not side with their views.

Is this not their recruiting method? Intimidate, threaten, murder and bomb? 

Posted: at 23-10-2011 08:32 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

Amen

Posted: at 23-10-2011 09:24 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

i think is high time we bomb all those funny creatures including abokis to stop this calamity

---

Posted: at 23-10-2011 09:30 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero

God, please save us from these blood-suckers, those who find thrill in taking the lives of others. Hmmmm...

---

Posted: at 23-10-2011 10:07 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

I say put a bomb in that state!

Posted: at 23-10-2011 10:14 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie

This Useless idiots that called themselves Boko Haram are back again....

Posted: at 23-10-2011 11:51 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

This aboki people come again

Posted: at 24-10-2011 12:31 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming