MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — A member of a radical Nigerian Islamist sect that attacked security forces in July, unleashing a bloodbath in which 700 people died, says he received bomb-making training in Afghanistan.
Abdul Rasheed, 23, told The Associated Press that he had been a member of the Boko Haram sect for six months and was given $500 cash by his leader to go to Afghanistan and train in bomb-making. Rasheed spoke on Wednesday at police headquarters. Boko Haram operated in northern Nigeria and Rasheed's account, which could not be immediately verified, would be the first to tie the group to Islamic insurgents in Afghanistan.
Police commissioner Ibrahim Abdu says Rasheed was arrested Tuesday with bomb-making materials, arms and ammunition while attempting to flee the country.
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In photo: Nigerian troops seen on patrol in the streets of Maiduguri, Nigeria, Monday, Aug 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Abdul Rasheed, 23, told The Associated Press that he had been a member of the Boko Haram sect for six months and was given $500 cash by his leader to go to Afghanistan and train in bomb-making. Rasheed spoke on Wednesday at police headquarters. Boko Haram operated in northern Nigeria and Rasheed's account, which could not be immediately verified, would be the first to tie the group to Islamic insurgents in Afghanistan.
Police commissioner Ibrahim Abdu says Rasheed was arrested Tuesday with bomb-making materials, arms and ammunition while attempting to flee the country.
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In photo: Nigerian troops seen on patrol in the streets of Maiduguri, Nigeria, Monday, Aug 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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