Terrorism: Nine Dead In Rebel Attack on Chibok Community in Northeast Nigeria

Since 2009, Nigeria has struggled with terrorist attacks and high-powered kidnapping in its northeast by armed groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). More than 35,000 people have died and millions have been displaced by the violence, according to the UN Development Program.

In April 2014, Boko Haram attacked the Chibok community in Borno state, abducting more than 200 schoolgirls from the community’s school. 8 years later, another assault occurred in the Chibok community by a yet to be identified rebel group.

“They came in large number with superior firepower (and) took over the community,” said Hassan Chibok, a community leader. His report detailed how heavily armed rebels attacked Kautukari village in the Chibok area of Borno at around 7:30 pm on Tuesday, killing at least nine people. The attack happened at the same time the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was in the state to meet with survivors of violence by the armed group Boko Haram.

Troops from a nearby military base were later sent to neutralize the attack, but eyewitnesses say they did not arrive until much damage had occurred.

The Kautikari village which is 17km away from Chibok town, was previously attacked by the same rebel group back in January 2022, leaving at least seven people dead. Witnesses said the fighters set the local church ablaze, killed livestock, and razed buildings.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari said earlier this week that the war against the groups is “approaching its conclusion”, citing continued military attacks and the mass defection of thousands of the fighters, some of whom analysts say are laying down their arms because of infighting within the group.

Patsy Nwogu

Reporting on data-driven featured stories and investigations.

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