Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thousands flee Nigerian city hit by Islamist attacks

Thousands have fled the Nigerian city of Maiduguri over the past two days fearing more Islamist attacks and after soldiers were accused of shooting civilians, residents said Tuesday.

Residents piled into the backs of trucks with personal belongings stuffed in sacks or packed up cars to leave the northeastern city, which has seen the brunt of the violence blamed on the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram.

Fear has so pervaded Maiduguri that the university there ordered its doors closed indefinitely on Monday due to security concerns. The bulk of the university's 35,000 students are drawn from other areas of the country.

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