In a VOA interview President Goodluck Jonathan says the militants have a broader motive than establishing a strict Islamic state in the country’s north, linking them to al-Qaida. “The objective is to destabilize Nigeria, destabilize West Africa and target other countries. And, the activities of that group have shown very clearly that this is a group that constitutes a threat to our civilization,” said Reubin Abati, special adviser on media and publicity on President. On Tuesday, Nigerian lawmakers voted to extend a state of emergency declared last year for six months in the northeast. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan promised Tuesday that he is fully committed to winning the war on terrorism. He already sent thousands of troops to combat the militant group.
