Deadly Boko Haram raids destroy two Nigerian villages
Deadly Boko Haram raids destroy two Nigerian villages
The Guardian, 20 Feb 2015
URL: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/20/boko-haram-raids-two-nigerian-villages
At least 30 people were killed in Boko Haram raids on two villages near the town of Chibok, in north-east Nigeria, a community leader and resident have said.
The attacks on Thursday targeted the villages of Thlaimakalama and Gatamarwa, which were torched by the rampaging militants, said Pogo Bitrus, head of the Chibok Elders Forum. “From information coming in from residents of the two villages, at least 30 people were killed in the attacks,” he said.
Luka Haruna, who lives in Chibok, nine miles away, gave an identical death toll and added: “The two villages were completely destroyed.”
Chibok gained notoriety last April when Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, causing global outrage and a social media campaign to release them. Fifty-seven managed to escape but, 10 months on, 219 are still being held.
Bitrus said the latest attacks happened at about noon local time on Thursday. The insurgents were passing through the two neighbouring villages as they fled the nearby town of Askira Uba, which they had invaded on Monday evening, he said.
Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters stormed Askira Uba, burning homes and public buildings, despite a regional campaign to crush their six-year insurgency. Residents who fled the town said they appealed to troops based in Chibok for help, and alleged that they refused to deploy.
The militants fled when soldiers were eventually sent. Some left towards Gwoza, on the border with Cameroon, and the Sambisa forest, where Boko Haram has camps. Boko Haram seized Gwoza in June last year and later declared it a part of its Islamic caliphate. The town is considered to be the group’s headquarters.
Nigeria’s military said on Thursday that fighter jets had bombarded Sambisa forest after Chad – which is involved in the regional fightback – attacked the nearby town of Dikwa.
Bitrus said: “The insurgents mowed everything in sight as they fled Askira Uba and these two villages which they passed through became targets. They opened fire on residents and set houses on fire as they drove in a huge convoy.”
See full story: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/20/boko-haram-raids-two-nigerian-villages
The attacks on Thursday targeted the villages of Thlaimakalama and Gatamarwa, which were torched by the rampaging militants, said Pogo Bitrus, head of the Chibok Elders Forum. “From information coming in from residents of the two villages, at least 30 people were killed in the attacks,” he said.
Luka Haruna, who lives in Chibok, nine miles away, gave an identical death toll and added: “The two villages were completely destroyed.”
Chibok gained notoriety last April when Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, causing global outrage and a social media campaign to release them. Fifty-seven managed to escape but, 10 months on, 219 are still being held.
Bitrus said the latest attacks happened at about noon local time on Thursday. The insurgents were passing through the two neighbouring villages as they fled the nearby town of Askira Uba, which they had invaded on Monday evening, he said.
Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters stormed Askira Uba, burning homes and public buildings, despite a regional campaign to crush their six-year insurgency. Residents who fled the town said they appealed to troops based in Chibok for help, and alleged that they refused to deploy.
The militants fled when soldiers were eventually sent. Some left towards Gwoza, on the border with Cameroon, and the Sambisa forest, where Boko Haram has camps. Boko Haram seized Gwoza in June last year and later declared it a part of its Islamic caliphate. The town is considered to be the group’s headquarters.
Nigeria’s military said on Thursday that fighter jets had bombarded Sambisa forest after Chad – which is involved in the regional fightback – attacked the nearby town of Dikwa.
Bitrus said: “The insurgents mowed everything in sight as they fled Askira Uba and these two villages which they passed through became targets. They opened fire on residents and set houses on fire as they drove in a huge convoy.”
See full story: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/20/boko-haram-raids-two-nigerian-villages