US Worried About Shia Conflict In Nigeria As Female Bombers Blow Themselves Up In Maiduguri

Shias protested against the military in six cities yesterday (Image credits: Ahmed Musa)

The United States says it is deeply concerned about the violent clashes between Nigerian government troops and the main Shia sect in Africa's most populous state.  While many details of the clashes which began on 12 December remain unclear, “we are dismayed to learn of multiple civilian deaths", said James Entwistle, the US ambassador to Nigeria. 

GRAPHITTI NEWS / BBC Africa Live report continues:

"It is essential that all sides refrain from actions that further destabilize the situation,” he added. 

The pro-Iranian Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) says hundreds of its members have been killed by the security forces in Zaria, its stronghold in the north of the country. 

Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau visited Zaria yesterday, after Iran's President Hassan Rouhani phoned his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, to express concern about the crackdown.

“Speaking as a friend of Nigeria, I’m sure Minister Dambazau’s trip to Zaria was the first step in the timely, transparent investigation to which I’m sure Mr President and his administration are committed,” Mr Enwistle said. 

The military says it launched an operation against IMN after its members tried to kill army chief Gen Tukur Buratai.

Mr Buhari was hosted by his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Tehran AP

Meanwhile media reports that at least six people have been killed, including five female suicide bombers after they blew themselves up at a security check point in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, emergency officials say. 

The girls were travelling in a group when they approached civilian vigilantes helping the Nigerian military fight Boko Haram.

"Two of the girls detonated their explosives instantly and the rest fled the scene," Muhammad Kanar from the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency told the BBC Hausa service.

The other three blew themselves up as they were being chased by security forces, he said.

The girls were aged between nine to 13, he added. 

One other person was killed and four wounded in the incident.

Militant Islamist group Boko Haram has been using young girls to carry out suicide attacks especially in Borno state - the birthplace of the group.

Shia Crackdown: Will New Conflict Erupt In Nigeria?

Meanwhile BBC Africa Live reports that the clashes between Nigeria's army and the country's main Muslim Shia sect raises fears that another war front could open, jeopardizing the government's fight against Sunni militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

Of concern are reports that the military carried out extra-judicial killings against members of the sect - the Islamic Movement of Nigeria - during a weekend operation in northern Zaria city. 

If this is true, it will damage President Muhammadu Buhari's credibility, and make it more difficult for the government to buy weapons needed to fight Boko Haram. 

The US has so far refused to sell arms to Nigeria because of widespread allegations of human rights abuses against the military.

Moreover, Mr Buhari recently visited Iran, the main backer of IMN, attending an international gas summit. 

The two countries pledged closer collaboration in economic development. 

Mr Buhari, a Sunni Muslim, also held talks with Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khameinei.

However, since the crackdown on IMN members, the Iranians have been putting pressure on Nigeria's government to do more to protect the Shia population. 

This is not surprising - Nigeria probably has the largest numbers of Shias in sub-Saharan Africa, and could help Iran expand its influence across the continent. 

So, if Nigeria's government does not handle the crisis well, relations between two countries could become strained.