Boko Haram Kill 20 In Renewed Attack On Borno Villages

No fewer than 20 people have been reported killed in a fresh attack on some communities in troubled Borno State, north-east Nigeria, resident said.

Witnesses told Channels Television on phone that some Boko Haram militants on motorcycles, in a coordinated attack, killed over 20 residents in three communities.
A resident who pleaded anonymity listed the attacked towns to include; Gatamarwa, Lehu and Makalawa, close to Chibok town, where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014.
“These boys invaded our towns again yesterday (Thursday), shooting sporadically.
“I can confirm to you that over 20 people were killed in the separate attacks which started from Gatamarwa market, located south of Borno State,” the source said.
It was also revealed that the insurgents overran Gatamarwa market around 9am on Thursday and opened fire at traders in a crowded part of the market.
Shortly after, the insurgents proceeded to Makalawa and Lehu, shooting randomly and setting several houses ablaze.
“Many of the houses in the three villages were burnt indiscriminately by the insurgents,” he revealed.
Chibok town is not far from the Sambisa forest believed to be the hideout of the dreaded Boko Haram militants.
No authority has confirmed the attack on the three communities.
Military Undeterred
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had postponed the general elections by six weeks owing to the spate of Boko Haram attacks in the region, as the military had asked for more time to combat the insurgents and restore peace to the north-east.
The Nigerian military has since then consistently given strong assurances of securing the nation against terrorists’ attacks, during and after the general elections.
The military again on Wednesday assured Nigerians of their commitment as the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a video online, threatening to disrupt the general elections rescheduled for March 28 and April 11.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, also gave updates on the military operations against the sect in the north-east with the progress and successes recorded.
Government Committed To Ending Boko Haram
The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, also on Thursday, reassured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to ending Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east and going ahead with the 2015 general elections as re-scheduled by INEC.
The President made this promise at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, where he commissioned 4 Naval ships.
“Let me use this opportunity to promise my good country men and women that we will rout Boko Haram. Our capacity has increased sufficiently and our men are doing wonderfully well in the north,” he said.
He further noted, “We are leaving no stone unturned to equip our armed forces, not just the Navy but also the Army and Air Force will have sufficient capacity.”
The President also commended the military for their efforts at tackling the Boko Haram insurgents, saying that his administration remained fully committed to restoring peace to the crisis ridden north eastern states of the country.