December 30, 2003

Some 200 Islamic militants attacked two police stations in northeastern Nigerian state of Yobe. Hundreds of civilians and police fled, but the government sent police and army reinforcements. Islamic radicals have been demanding the use of Islamic law for years, and some states in the Islamic north have complied. But enforcement has been lax. This is the first time that Islamic radicals have taken up arms and attacked the police (which are controlled by the national government.)