Christian Headlines Blog Christian Blog and Commentary

Get guidance on Bible study from C.S. Lewis - Free Course!

Hundreds of Homes Destroyed in Nigeria as Boko Haram Continues Violence

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jun 05, 2014

Boko Haram militants continue to violently attack villagers on the northeastern side of Borno state. In the most recent attacks, hundreds of homes were destroyed and many civilian lives were lost.

CNN reports that Boko Haram members stormed the villages on ATVs and motorcycles. The militants opened fire on civilians and burned homes and churches.

Goshe villager Abba Goni recounted what he saw as a witness. “They laid siege on the village and opened fire with Kalashnikovs and fired RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), burning the entire village with its 300 homes and a few mosques. We lost many people including vigilantes who tried to fight off the Boko Haram attackers,” he said.

Nigerian lower parliament member Peter Biye said, “We are still trying to compile a toll of the dead as people on the ground are still counting the number of casualties.”

Some believe the militants were on a quest for revenge after some Boko Haram members died in earlier attacks in the region.

“It was a reprisal attack over the casualties Boko Haram suffered in the village in two previous attacks. We believed they came on a revenge mission,” said Bulus Yashi of the Attagara village.

 

Publication date: June 5, 2014