Nigeria’s Interior Minister Says Boko Haram is no threat

{{Nigeria’s interior minister has said the army is making progress in the war against Boko Haram militants, despite the killing of 44 people in a mosque.}}

Abba Moro dismissed the attack as “desperate” and “isolated”.

“The security agencies of Nigeria have been able to push the Boko Haram sect from their major strongholds,” he told media.

Nigeria has declared an emergency in three states after thousands of deaths in militant attacks in recent years.

Boko Haram is fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north.

The mosque attack happened during dawn prayers on Sunday, although news only emerged on Monday, as communications have been disrupted by the state of emergency.

It took place in the town of Konduga, 35km (22 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, where Boko Haram was established in 2002, launching its first attack seven years later.

Twelve further civilians were killed at Ngom village, closer to Maiduguri, reports say.

Boko Haram has not commented on the mosque attack but news of it came as a video emerged of the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, saying his followers had carried out recent attacks including some that targeted the police and the military.

{BBC}