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Boko Haram Commits 'Deadliest' Attack Yet with 2,000 Feared Dead

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jan 12, 2015

Terror group Boko Haram has reportedly orchestrated its most devastating attack yet. According to CNN, Boko Haram militants stormed Baga and its surrounding villages in armored vehicles, opening fire on any residents in their path. 

Local officials said that the militants fired indiscriminately, leaving many dead. Reported death tolls ranged from the hundreds to 2,000; the actual death toll will be confirmed when authorities complete head counts for the attacked villages. 

The attack began Jan. 3 and continued throughout last weekend. 

A statement from Amnesty International said, "The attack on Baga and surrounding towns looks as if it could be Boko Haram's deadliest act.” 

Musa Bukar, local government chairman in Baga described the scene saying, "Dead bodies litter the bushes in the area and it is still no‎t safe to go and pick them (up) for burial. Some people who hid in their homes were burned alive."

Following the vicious attacks in Baga, Boko Haram continued its violent rampage in Borno state. The group is believed to be responsible for another attack, this time at a crowded marketplace in Maiduguri. Christian Today reports Boko Haram strapped explosives onto the body of a 10-year-old girl, which detonated at the market killing at least 19 people. 

Publication date: January 12, 2015