Nigeria - Reporting from Abuja, Nigeria, and Johannesburg,— At least 18 people were killed Friday when a suicide bomber smashed a car through the gates of the U.N. headquarters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, raising fears that a homegrown Islamic militant group inspired by the Taliban is widening its attacks to include Western targets. A spokesman for Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack, the most serious by the group, which is based in Nigeria's Muslim majority north and that some believe is forging links to Al Qaeda. "More attacks are on the way, and by the will of Allah we will have unfettered access to wherever we want to attack," the spokesman, Abu Darda, said by phone. "We have more than 100 men who are willing to lay down their lives for the cause of Allah." The blast just before 11 a.m. left a gaping hole in the four-story building, which houses about 400 people working for 26 United Nations humanitarian and development agencies. It's not clear how many were present, but dozens were injured. There was concern that the number of dead could rise sharply. Witnesses said the driver rammed the lower floor of the building. They reported a huge explosion and saw bodies scattered in front of the building. Full Story>>
Suicide attack kills 18 at U.N. compound in Nigeria http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-nigeria-bombing-20110827,0,739410.story
