Gunmen suspected to be members of the Islam extremist sect Boko Haram, struck brutally in three villages in Borno State, northern Nigeria, leaving 28 people dead and several houses razed.
The gunmen attacked a community squeezed between the Cameroun borders and Chibok, site of the unprecedented mass abduction which attracted global attention to the nation. Kerenua, near the Niger border was also attacked, while the last one occurred in Kubur Viu village, a few kilometres away from Chibok.
“They killed five people. This place is right next to Chibok. The military is supposed to be protecting this area but we fear these people (Boko Haram) are coming back,” a source told journalists.
In recent times, more than ever before, the insurgents have increased the frequency of attacks in Nigeria. Last week alone, three explosions were recorded with over 200 casualties and several injured persons. One of the explosions was in Kano, while two others were in Jos.
The last bombing in Jos was on Saturday. It was targeted at an open air viewing centre, where many people were watching the final match of the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. According to witnesses, the suicide bomber did not reach the target before the bomb-laden car exploded.
On Saturday, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was in South Africa, where according to his spokespersons, there was a meeting of African leaders to discuss ways of tackling Islamist militancy, especially Boko Haram, across the continent.
Reuters reported that Nigeria and its neighbours say Boko Haram ― which has killed thousands during its five-year-old insurgency in Nigeria ― now threatens the security of the whole region.
The United States, Britain, France and China are all working to help Nigeria in the quest to rescue the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok on 14th April.
