Nigerian police detain thousands in raid

After a raid on Saturday, Nigerian police detained nearly 4,000 Muslims in an Islamic community in Northern Nigeria because the group posed a potential threat, according to Reuters.

Police Commissioner Michael Zuokumor confirmed that 3,950 people have been arrested because they posed a potential violent threat. The near 4,000 members belonged to an Islamic sectarian group called Darul Islam and were "evacuated" from a town called Mokwa. "We received a series of reports about the activities of the sect from neighboring communities, the local government and the emirate (traditional leader). Some of them were expressing apprehension concerning the activities of the group and it is our duty to ensure law and order among the citizens of the state," said Zuokumor. The police raid was based on fear that they were becoming violent. However, it remains to be seen if there will be formal charges against any of the 3,950 people. Darul Islam members were being detained inside a local school. The detention has continued into Sunday.