34 Killed In New Attacks Near Chibok

No fewer than 34 persons were killed yesterday in three separate attacks on Borno communities in Chibok town by Boko Haram militants, a Chibok spokesman has said.

The militants raided the three villages, in Chibok Local Government area of Borno State, in a remote area near Sambisa Forest, where the Nigerian military forces claim to be carrying out an offensive against Boko Haram.

Chibok spokesman Allen Manaseh told SaharaReporters that the insurgents attacked the communities yesterday at about 4pm.  Many people were still in the bush as he spoke with our reporter, he said, adding that some were said to have arrived in Chibok town.

"Gatamwarwa, Thliamakalama where a church was razed down and Tabang, all are Chibok villages,” he explained.  “All the communities are close to Askira town which was attacked two days ago. My worry is that the insurgents are roaming freely arôund this axis and unleashed [violence on] these communities.”

He further noted that the area was vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks due to its proximity to Sambisa forest, and that Boko Haram’s major training camp is about 20 kilometres from Chibok town, where over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in April 14 last year.

Bann'a Ibrahim, a resident of Chibok, disclosed that there is no military presence in the affected communities, except in Chibok town.

“Now we are afraid,” he said.  “Two days ago, the emir’s palace [was] burnt in Askira town.  I am planning to leave because we don't know their next plans.”

It is unclear how the army, which says it will defeat the militants in time for the March 28 presidential election, is deployed throughout Borno State.  An observer told our reporter the Boko Haram attacks on the Chibok communities suggests the military is currently doing sporadic air attacks in the hope of softening up the militants, meaning that civilians are exposed to Boko Haram on the ground, as well as to “not-so-friendly” fire.