(Image Source: NaijaPals.com)

 

BY LAUREN ZIMA

As of Saturday, Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan had declared states of emergency in four areas of the country, and things seem to have only gotten worse. First, WJBK reports on Christmas Day bombings from a terrorist group.

“Nigeria rings in the New Year holding a mass for the victims of a Christmas Day bombing attack at a church. At least 35 people were killed during the explosion. Militant Islamic group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for this attack and other smaller attacks as well. The group wants to impose Islamic Sharia law across the country.”

The Telegraph reports Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden,” and the group already claimed at least 500 lives in 2011. The outlet said Monday Boko Haram’s spokesperson has threatened more violence.

“Boko Haram warned Christians living in the country's predominantly Muslim north that they have three days to ‘move away,’ before attacks target the community. … the group’s recent targeting of civilians and high profile targets raise concerns both about the group's interest in sparking wider religious conflict in the country and its links to other Al-Qaeda affiliates in the region.”

Nigeria’s president has vowed to, quote, “crush the insurgency” and is forming a new counter-terrorism unit. But, terrorist attacks, unfortunately, are not Nigeria’s only problem. WLIW has the BBC’s report on outcry over rising gas prices in the nation.

“There’s been widespread anger across Nigeria after fuel prices doubled the day after government subsidies were removed. Nigerian trade unions have called on people to oppose the increase. The government argues the $8 billion subsidy could be better used to alleviate poverty.”

CNBC said Monday anger over the subsidy removal has turned into protests in the country.

“Police and a small group of protesters clashed in the capital as anger over the subsidy cuts boiled over.”

CNBC reports Nigeria is Africa’s No. 1 oil producer. The Wall Street Journal says the subsidy had been in place for almost 40 years -- and was considered key by Nigeria’s population.

“Nigeria had been spending … about a quarter of all government spending … to keep petroleum products within reach of its deeply poor population of 167 million people … Many of the 70% of Nigerians who live on less than $2 a day, however, view the subsidy as the only windfall the nation's poor have enjoyed from the more-than-two-million barrels of oil the nation exports daily.”

But The Journal also reports the government’s side -- officials say much of the low-cost fuel was being sold by smugglers in other countries. And, speaking of oil -- Euronews reports a spill last month has not been cleaned up, and fuel company Shell won’t claim responsibility.

“Environmental groups say local beaches have been coated with black sludge and drinking water has been polluted. Locals say the spill is affecting their livelihoods.”
LOCAL: “The pollution is there. The problem is there. So we can not go to the river.”
“The company has denied any of the oil washed up on the coast. An investigation’s underway as to how around 40,000 barrels spilled.”

The head of administration for Nigeria’s Labour Congress suspects more uprising, saying, quote, "If this government remains in power, it will be one of the eight wonders of the world."