By Tamara Alfred
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

According to a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks, Nigeria released known terror suspects, including some affiliated with al Qaeda’s north Africa branch, as part of a program known as “Perception Management” to placate elders in the country’s Muslim north.

The release of the suspects in early 2008 coincides with the time when Nigerian authorities released the man now suspected of helping organize the August 26 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Nigeria that killed 23 people.

The cable, dated March 20, 2008, outlines how 18 terror suspects being held by the government were released in early 2008.  Twelve of the suspects became part of “Perception Management” run by the nation’s secret police.  Under the program, imams and traditional leaders in north Nigeria served largely as parole officers responsible for reforming the suspects.  However, the cable suggests pressures to save Nigeria’s international image may have influenced the decision to release the suspects.

“The court ostensibly remains under political pressure to expedite, even throw out terrorism cases to ensure Nigeria is not given the distasteful reputation of a ‘terrorist safe haven,’” said the cable signed by then-US Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders.

A high-ranking Nigerian government official told the Associated Press last week that Babagana Ismail Kwaljima, a suspected member of the radical sect Boko Haram now being held over the bombing, was released in 2007 to placate Muslim leaders.

Reports have been circulating recently of Boko Haram branching out and collaborating with al Qaeda’s affiliates.  In the past two years, the radical sect, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege” in the local Hausa language,” has met and trained with al-Qaeda affiliates outside the country and begun waging a propaganda campaign that includes conference calls with reporters.  Violence has increased recently and civilians are increasingly put in the line of fire.

Several dozen civilians were killed in June when bombs were thrown into the outdoor beer parlors that exist on the Christian-minority fringes.  Not all women are veiled and alcohol can be obtained – apparently an affront to the group’s goal of imposing strict Islamic law in the north, say Nigerian authorities.

According to a report in mid-August from Amnesty International, about 140 people have died in the violence since January, including dozens of civilians killed by the military.

The Nigerian government has responded with such a broad, harsh crackdown that many residents now see the military as more of a danger than Boko Haram.  The brutal Nigerian military tactics – shoot first, ask questions later – are creating more sympathizers for the group.

In the neighborhoods, the anger against the military is undeniable.  Nobody admitted supporting Boko Haram, but several residents said “young men” were now signing up with the group.  When asked about the army, an angry mob quickly formed.

“After looting the properties of the people, they killed innocent people,” said Yusuf Babagana, describing an army incursion after a bomb blast in the Abbangaram neighborhood in July.  “They are creating more chaos than the Boko Haram sect.  They are looting, killing, and even raping.”

Saude Maman recounted how soldiers yelled at her husband, “you are Boko Haram!” after a car bombing that resulted in the military cordoning off the district.  When her husband denied it, “they dragged him to the courtyard and shot him,” said Maman.  Fourth other women also said they lost their husbands that same night.  Amnesty International reports that at least 25 people died in that operation alone.

A businessman in Abbangaram said, “When the army men came in they just started beating everybody, and killing everybody.”  On July 23, according to Amnesty, 23 people were killed by soldiers after a blast near the palace of the sheik.

Residents were again forced to flee the streets when a bomb went off in Maiduguri alongside Baga road where Boko Haram has been accused of operating.

One resident told AFP that when the bomb went off “everybody rushed indoors to avoid harassment by soldiers who usually vent their anger on residents every time such attacks occur.  Nobody can say if there were casualties because soldiers have taken over the area, shooting in the air.”

Hundreds of troops were deployed to Maiduguri this year to help stem the unrest, but residents have accused them of shooting civilians on suspicion they conspire with the Islamists.

Despite denials by a military spokesman, wounded men are still filling the hospital.  “A soldier shot me,” Zira Koda said.  “They entered my house and shot me.  There was no reason for it.”

For more information, please see:

Huffington Post – Nigeria Terror Suspects Released Knowingly: Cable – 7 September 2011

AFP – Bomb explodes in violence-torn Nigerian city: residents – 6 September 2011

The New York Times – Islamist Group With Possible Qaeda Links Upends Nigeria – 17 August 2011