Nigerian stabs two Dutch journalists over US Jerusalem recognition
Danish journalists assaulted in Gabon in a Islamist revenge attack following America's controversial move earlier in December
A Nigerian man stabbed two Danish journalists in Gabon, allegedly saying it was a revenge attack against the United States for recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The assailant wounded the reporters for the National Geographic channel at a market popular with tourists in Libreville, the capital of the central African country, according to the Gabon defence minister, Etienne Kabinda Makaga. During the attack, the man shouted “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “God is great,” Makaga said.
Speaking Saturday on Gabonese television, Makaga said the attacker — a 53-year-old man from Niger who has lived in Gabon for the past two decades — “acted in retaliation for U.S. attacks against Muslims and America’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.”
As of Sunday afternoon, the attack had yet to be classified as an act of terrorism.
On Sunday, police in Gabon arrested dozens of people in connection with the attack. The detained men were mostly traders and sellers from West Africa who work in the market, the French news agency AFP reported. The market was shut down after the attack and did not reopen, according to AFP.
Islamist terrorism is not seen as a major problem in Gabon.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
