MAKURDI, Nigeria, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- More than 100 foreigners suspected of being members of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram have been arrested in Nigeria, an official said.
Benue Gov. Gabriel Suswam said the suspects, arrested in that east-central Nigeria state, were from Niger, Chad, Mali and some North African countries, The (Lagos) Guardian reported.
Attacks by Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden," have killed more than 2,000 people in northern Nigeria, Vanguard has reported.
The Guardian did not say when or where the arrests occurred or provide more details on the suspects.
Meanwhile, Islamic leaders in northern Nigeria urged Boko Haram members to end violence and begin dialogue with the federal government.
The Islamic Unity Forum, an umbrella group, called on Boko Haram members to reveal their identities and praised President Goodluck Jonathan, who has sought dialogue with the group in hopes of ending the violent attacks.
"The president has again reaffirmed his belief in dialogue as a potent weapon for halting the reign of terror unleashed on the nation by the sect," the IUF said in a communique.
The forum also urged the federal government "to speak with one voice" on Boko Haram, saying "a situation whereby the security agencies are churning out different statements regarding Boko Haram would further compound the situation."
