Boko Haram joins forces with Malian rebels

By Our Reporter 

The Boko Haram sect has joined forces with the secessionist rebel forces battling the government of Mali from the Northern part of that country, it was gathered yesterday.

 Among the rebels controlling Mali’s northern city of Gao are dozens of Nigeria’s Islamist Boko Haram group, a regional deputy told AFP yesterday. A security source confirmed the information.

“There are a good 100 Boko Haram fighters in Gao. They are Nigerians and from Niger,” said Abu Sidibe, a regional deputy. “They’re not hiding. Some are even able to speak in the local tongue, explaining that they are Boko Haram.” The information was confirmed by a Malian security source.

At least 100 Nigerian Islamic Boko Haram guerillas crossed the frontier with Mali and took control of the town of Gao, in the north of the Country, according to Abu Sidibe, local deputy-governor. 

SOURCE: The Nation, 10 April 2012. http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/