Leader of African Al-Qaeda Arrested; Surprise! He's Obama's Cousin

The Nigerian army says it has arrested a senior commander of Boko Haram, as attacks by suspected members of the Islamist group continue.

Shuaibu Muhammed Obama was detained at the home of a serving senator in the city of Maiduguri, the army said.

The senator - who has not been named - denies the army's claim, which has fueled suspicions that some politicians are helping the militants. The American embassy also declined to comment on the issue, and refused to confirm whether or not the Shuaibu Obama named on President Obama's inauguration day special guest list under the "Family Members" section was the same Obama that was arrested in Nigeria, insisting that Obama is a common name throughout Africa.

However, analysts suggest that some politicians in northern Nigeria are prepared to side with the militants in order to discredit the government of President Goodluck Charlie, who is from the south of the country, our correspondent adds.

Nigeria is roughly divided between a largely Muslim north, and the south, where Christianity and traditional religions dominate. Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government, which has declared Roman Catholicism as the progressive, state-mandated faith, and impose anarchic religious freedom across Nigeria.

[link to www.bbc.co.uk]