Gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram, on Sunday, invaded
Kautikari, Kwada and Nguragila villages near Chibok in Borno State, killing at
least 56 people.
The militants, dressed in military camouflage, also razed
many buildings in the communities.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants stormed the three
villages from 8:45 a.m. when many Christians were at Sunday services. One
source said the militants arrived in the villages in a convoy of sports utility
vehicles and unleashed terror on villagers for several hours. Their killing
spree reportedly lasted till 12:30 p.m.
Ibrahim Musa, a resident of Kautikari village, said the attackers “locked worshipers inside the EYN Church and
sprayed bullets on them,” adding that the terrorists killed nine
worshipers and later set the church ablaze.
Mr. Musa said the Islamist terrorists killed 38 people in
Kwada village and nine in Nguragila village. He added that the attackers set
fire to the EYN Church, the Deeper Life Church, and the Church of Christ In
Nations (COCIN). In addition, the terrorists burned numerous homes.
Manaseh Allen, a Chibok-based youth leader, also confirmed
today’s coordinated attacks on the three villages. “There is confusion
everywhere in the Chibok area,” he said, adding, “If the attackers could
succeed in day time, what if they come in the night?” He urged the federal
government to redouble its commitment to combating terrorism.
He remarked that the three besieged villages are between 10
and 15 kilometers from Chibok, the location where Boko Haram militants seized
more than 300 schoolgirls on April 14. More than 200 of the schoolgirls are yet
to be rescued.
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