Nigeria: September 26, 2004

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Police caught and killed at as many as 30 members of the Islamic radical Al Sunna wal Jamma group. Several policemen and armed civilian volunteers were also killed. The running battle took place along the Cameroon border. The Islamic group identifies with the Afghan Taliban. The leaders of the Islamic group are largely middle class university students from northern Nigeria. The Islamic radicals do not have much popular support. It is suspected that foreign money has helped buy the groups weapons. Saudi Arabian Islamic missionaries have become increasingly common in northern Nigeria. These missionaries have plenty of cash.