Chibok: 56 killed as Boko Haram attacks churches, other places

In spite of global outrage and condemnation over the abducti­no of more than 200 schoolgirls since April 14, Boko Haram went on the rampage yesterday in three villages in Chibok com­munity in Borno State, killing 56 people including Sunday worship­pers.


The attack took place in three major churches. Residents and se­curity sources said the insurgents locked worshippers inside a church and opened fire on them.
A resident of Chibok, who lost two relations, told Daily Sun on condi­tion of anonymity that the attackers arrived Kautikari and Kwada towns, about five kilometres from Chibok at about 8am yesterday while many worshippers were in church.

“They locked up the congrega­tion at EYN (Church of the Brethren Nigeria) at Kautikari and opened fire on the worshippers. Ten people were killed in the church and its vicinity alone,” the resident said.
The insurgents rode into the towns in two Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV), shooting sporadically and pursuing residents especially at Kwada before moving to Nguragila. Residents and a member of the vigilance group in Chibok said 38 corpses were later evacuated at Kwada, nine at Ngu­ragila and another nine at Kautikari town, bringing the total figure of casualty to 56.

“But we are still combing the three communities as we learnt some people were shot while fleeing into the bush,” the vigilance member who was among those deployed in the area to evacuate corpses, told Daily Sun. 

Maina Chibok, a resident of Chobok, said the attacks were well coordinated, adding that some of his relations at Kautikari recalled that the insurgents operated without re­sistance from 8am till 11 am, stating that smokes were billowing from the town by 10 am as the insurgents set ablaze houses and churches.

Apart from EYN that was at­tacked, COCIN Church and Deeper Life Bible Church were burnt too as worshippers scampered for safety. “Many people were shot while flee­ing from the houses and churches,” Maina said. Many of the residents, who were injured are receiving treat­ment in health centres and private clinics in the area, even as some officials were said to be making ar­rangements to transfer them.

Some residents expressed shock that soldiers did not storm the com­munities when they were alerted of the attacks. “They refused to go to Kautikari which is just about three kilometres, same way they did when Boko Haram attacked Koronginim and Ntsiha recently,” a resident claimed.
Chibok Local Government, south of Borno State, had been under siege since April 14 when Boko Haram gunmen abducted over 200 school­girls, leading to international outrage which elicited support from Western countries which offered to assist Nigeria in freeing the girls.

Sen Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assem­bly, condemned the attack, urging the Federal Government to deploy more troops in the area and work with local vigilance group to end incessant killings. He also commiser­ated with the bereaved families even as he appealed to them not to lose hope.

A youth leader in Chibok, Dr. Manaseh Allen, also urged the government to act quickly, saying the bloodbath was alarming. “I want the security agencies to double their ef­forts. If these people (Boko Haram) can come during the day and suc­ceed the way they have been, what of if they decide to come at night?,” he asked.