Hello 'Homeport'...
I'm shortly off to Wales for a few days but will happily comment on the bombing. While it is not in my AOI, as follows...
In a nutshell, what is going on in Nigeria (with the African extention of al-Qaeda) is typical of a movement throughout all of northern Africa. Nigeria is a country with almost a perfect 50% Moslem and 50% Christian population. It is rift with poverty, criminal politicians and a huge "have & have-nots" environment. It is ripe for the militant picking as originally targeted by bin Laden years before his death. Besides oil (and the corruption that goes along with it), there are an increasing number of "tobacco wars" a foot. The government of Goodluck Jonathan, while outspoken (in order to placate international revulsion) is almost powerless to do anything...as was his predecessor. This has been the 4th bombing in Abuja alone in the last 10 or so months - the only difference being it's world-wide implications. It has been usually more domestic as in Lagos and Jos. By destroying a seemingly neutral UN facility, Boko Haram (founded in 2003) has exercised the pure horror of successful terrorism. I'm sure they are being congratulated by their "brethren" all over the world.
There is an international movement where Moslems are concentrated to introduce Sharia law through chaos and government overthrows.
I see it getting far worse in Nigeria before it gets better. Fortunately for us, SEO and his chaps are from southern Anambra (primarily Christian/IGBO) and throw around a huge amount of "weight" and influence. They know how to placate their opponents...at least for the time being.
Until there is a more equatable distribution of wealth and greater religious pragmatism, terrorism will continue relatively unabated. The world will sooner or later become more actively involved. After all and at the end of the day when the dust settles, it's all about oil and money isn't it!
