30 killed in attack on Nigeria market: medic, witness

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By Aminu Abubakar (AFP) –

KANO, Nigeria — Suspected Nigerian Islamists opened fire and set off bombs at a market in the northeastern city of Maiduguri on Monday, killing at least 30 people, a medic and a witness said.

Gunmen believed to be members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram stormed the fish section of Baga market and sprayed stallholders and vendors with bullets, traders said, reporting that women and children were among the dead.

“The number of dead could not be less than 30,” a Maiduguri hospital nurse told AFP.

The military confirmed the assault on the market but denied any civilian deaths, saying security forces had killed eight assailants and safely detonated bombs planted by the attackers.

Australian police officer gains anti-terrorism expertise from Cheshire force | Macclesfield Express – menmedia.co.uk

December 14, 2011

Team Leader Nick Barrett from the Australian Federal Police (left), Inspector Graeme Trevis from the Police National Search Centre and other officers taking part in the specialist search training course

An Australian police officer joined Cheshire police for specialist training to combat terrorism.

Nick Barrett, a team leader with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), joined 25 Cheshire officers on the specialist search training course.

The exercises included combing buildings, vehicles, fields, roads and other open areas for items which could be parts of improvised explosive devices.

The AFP is planning to set up a similar course in Australia.