March 25, 2013: The U.S. believes that Boko Haram is still moving men to and from (mostly from these days) Mali via Niger. The Boko Haram members fleeing Mali are providing trained (in Mali) men for launching more terror attacks. The U.S. is also not keeping quiet about the fact that the chronic corruption in Nigeria is the main reason for the emergence and persistence of Boko Haram. Most Nigerians accept the corruption angle but the Nigerian politicians are less enthusiastic about losing all that illegal income and prosecuting themselves.

In northern Borno state, where Boko Haram has been most active, the Islamic terrorists have destroyed all but two of the 52 Catholic churches in the state. Boko Haram has been particularly hostile to non-Moslems and southern politicians are having a difficult time restraining southern Christians from retaliating against Moslems living in the largely Christian south. This is what Boko Haram wants, as they see a general religious war as benefitting them. Most Nigerians don’t see it that way. In response to that, Boko Haram is increasingly vocal and specific about its plans to drive all Christians from Nigeria, killing those who resist. Christians are welcome to convert to Islam but going the other way will get you a death sentence from Boko Haram.

March 22, 2013: In the northeast (Adamawa state, on the Cameroon border) a group of gunmen attacked a jail (freeing 127 prisoners), a bank, a police station, and several taverns in the town Ganye, killing 25 people in the process. It’s unclear if the attackers were Boko Haram or local gangsters.  Half the population of Adamawa state is Christian and there has not been a lot of Boko Haram activity in the area, but Boko Haram is known to be operating across the border in Cameroon.

March 21, 2013: Two Boko Haram men were arrested in the southern city of Lagos. Police found the two in possession of explosives. This was followed by a police sweep that arrested over 500 foreigners (most of them from Mali and Chad). 

March 18, 2013: Boko Haram released an Internet video in which they demanded the release of all Boko Haram prisoners in Nigeria and Cameroon, otherwise they will continue holding seven French tourists (including four children) seized in Cameroon. Boko Haram also promised more attacks in Cameroon. Northern Cameroon, which is adjacent to parts of Nigeria suffering the most Boko Haram violence, is sparsely populated and there are few police.

In the north (Kano state) five bombs went off in a bus station killing 25 people.

March 16, 2013: The government insisted that no ransom be paid to Boko Haram to gain the freedom of seven French citizens being held by the terrorists.