How big is the al-Qaeda presence in Nigeria?
The short answer is that no one outside of government really knows, though I suspect that the French have a better idea than anybody else because of their extensive intelligence presence in West Africa. As with regard to al-Qaeda in the Sahel region, relatively little work in English has been done on the subject.
This short story, however, gives us some idea as to what they might be trying to achieve:
According to the source, he was being suspected of backing terrorism and - based on intelligence reports forwarded to the British by the Nigerian authorities - of smuggling arms.
That was why the British police made the arrest with 25 police vehicles, cordoning off the British Airways plane as it touched down in London. The police searched all his suitcases, looking for the arms.
It was learnt that the Nigerian authorities had told the London police that Alamieyeseigha is not just a major sponsor of terrorism he enjoys close links with Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda.
This was the connection Abuja reportedly made between his arrest and that of South South resource control activist, Asari Dokubo, who was incarcerated soon after the governor’s travail began.
The source explained that since no arms were found on Alamieyeseigha, the Federal Government had to justify its terrorism allegation against him by arresting Dokubo who allegedly once said Osama bin Laden is his hero.
The London police had reportedly been told that the governor and his "terrorist cell" had perfected plans to destablise Nigeria by ensuring that it is not governable and by making conditions impossible for oil production in the Niger Delta - thus threatening world supply.
Dokubo’s conversion to Islam and his religious title of "Alhaji" makes him fit the Islamic terrorist bill. But those conversant with Rivers State politics have said again and again that Dokubo’s gang was sponsored by an unnamed governor for strong arm tactics during past elections.
He came to national limelight when he fought a rival militia in gangland style, which nearly exposed the governor.
I view some of this with a good deal of skepticism, as Dokubo's political views do not necessarily mean that he's a terrorist. The al-Hajji thing is just wierd, as all that means is that he's undertaken the Hajj, one of the requirements of the Five Pillars of Islam. Then there is also the near-legendary penchant for corruption among the Nigerian authorities that needs to be factored in here, as this could certainly be politically motivated.
All the same, the issue is worth looking into and Nigeria is not a trivial part of the world - a major attack there could cause serious problems for world oil supply.
On a related note, I see Charles Taylor, who enjoys political asylum in Nigeria is still up to no good and plotting his return to power.
I've been trying to sound the alarm about AQ in the Sahel for at least a year on blogs and forums on the 'net. No one seems to give a damn.
I have taken the oppurtunity to talk to the many African immigrants who live here. Those who will talk about it say that there are men encouraging the people to bring about Sharia. They also are encouraging men to travel to fight the infidel and to fight against their Christian and pagan neighbors.
Many of the immigrants I have tried to talk to do not want to talk about this issue at all. My guess is that they think it reflects badly on their faith. Or maybe they think they will get in some kind of trouble.
The US military is, fortunately, taking the Sahel seriously. Maybe we won't have to be fighting there in 10 years.
A recent articel about US troops in Chad: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1808732,00.html