Jihadist attack leaves 59 dead in northeast Nigeria | Inquirer News

Jihadist attack leaves 59 dead in northeast Nigeria

/ 06:18 AM June 10, 2020

KANO, Nigeria — Fighters from IS-linked jihadist group on Tuesday killed 59 people in a raid on a herding village in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state, local militia a and residents told AFP.

Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) drove into remote Felo village in Gubio district around 1400GMT, shooting and crushing fleeing residents under their vehicles.

“Fifty nine bodies were recovered from the raid on the village,” anti-jihadist militia leader Babakura Kolo said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Some of them were shot and others were crushed under the wheels,” he added.

FEATURED STORIES

The attack is  believed to be a reprisal for the killing of jihadist fighters by local vigilantes protecting the villagers’ herd from theft by the militants, a local leader in the village said.

“We have lost 59 kinsmen in such a short time,” said the local leader who asked not to be named for his personal safety.

Article continues after this advertisement

The jihadists have been stealing livestock from the village, prompting residents to form a militia force to end the theft, said another militiaman Ibrahim Liman, who gave the same toll.

Article continues after this advertisement

The vigilantes have been “hunting for the insurgents” in the bushes, killing some of them in gunfights, Liman said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Gubio, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri, has been repeatedly targeted by the jihadists.

The incessant attacks prompted the authorities to send more than 100 vigilantes and local hunters to protect the town and nearby areas against incursions from ISWAP.

Article continues after this advertisement

ISWAP is a splinter faction that broke away from Boko Haram in 2016.

It has intensified attacks against the military in the last two years, repeatedly carrying out deadly strikes against soldiers.

In recent months there has been an increase in attacks on civilians blamed on the group.

The decade-long conflict has killed 36,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes in the northeast.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

TAGS: Boko Haram, Extremist, ISWAP, Nigeria, North Nigeria

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.