part of Islamic teachings. Extremism In Nigeria, Pew Research polled the views of Muslims on extremist groups. 45% favoured Hezbollah, 49% favoured Hamas and 49% favoured Al-Qaeda. Unlike other Muslim countries, Nigeria was the only country where Muslims were positive towards Al-Qaeda. Boko Haram Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation that aims to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, West Africa. Its first attack was directed towards the Bauchi prison in 2009. On the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria. Responsibility for the kidnappings was claimed by Boko Haram, an extremist terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria. 57 of the schoolgirls managed to escape over the next few months On the night of 5–6 May 2014, Boko Haram militants attacked the twin towns of Gamboru and Ngala in Borno State, Nigeria. Roughly 310 residents were killed in the 12-hour attack, and the town was largely destroyed. Organisation of Nigerian Islam Sa'adu Abubakar, the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims. Several Muslim organisations, lobbies and pressure groups exist such as Nasfat, MPAC Nigeria and the Muslim Rights Concern. See also Islam by country Religion in Nigeria Christianity in Nigeria New radical Islamic movements in Nigeria Islam in Bangladesh Islam in China Islam in Indonesia Islam in Iran Islam in Pakistan Islam in the Philippines Islam in Russia References Sources External links Islam in Nigeria: Simmering tensions BBC Facts & Figures Nigeria