Boko Haram Kills 11, Burn Church, Seize Priest On Christmas
Boko Haram jihadists killed at least eleven (11) people, burnt a church and seized a priest on Christmas Eve in Nigeria’s restive northeast.
AFP was told that on Thursday, fighters in trucks and motorcycles stormed Pemi, a predominantly Christian village in Borno State, shooting indiscriminately and setting buildings on fire.
Villagers fled into the bush and some are still said to be missing. Militia leader Abwaku Kabu said:
The terrorists killed seven people, burnt 10 homes and looted food supplies that were meant to be distributed to residents to celebrate Christmas.
The attackers also burnt a church, abducted a priest and stole medical supplies from a hospital, before setting it on fire.
Pemi is close to Chibok where 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in 2014 and held many captives for years.
Boko Haram jihadists have carried out a number of attacks in northern Nigeria where they are fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.
They promote a version of Islam that forbids Muslims from taking part in activity not derived from Islamic tradition.
Boko Haram loosely translates to mean “Western education is forbidden”.
The United Nations reports that the group has so far killed at least 36 000 people and displaced two million from their homes since the beginning of the conflict decades ago.
More: BBC News
