Nigerian Military Retake Base in Borno State
01/19/2021 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Militants from the ISWAP faction of Boko Haram attacked and took over a military base located in the town of Marte in Borno State on Friday January 15. The Nigerian military says that they have retaken the base. They conducted the operation on Sunday January 17. The military says that they were able to kill several of the militants, destroy seven of their gun trucks and chase them out of the town. They are currently pursuing the group as they flee back to their strongholds.
The retaking of this base is important to ensure the safety of the region. As Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to fight and take ground from the Nigerian government, they gain power, influence and supplies. This will only extend the fight that has been going now for nigh on 20 years. They continue to use terror to recruit new members, subjugate communities and destroy lives.
Militants in Nigeria Kill More than 1,900 People in 2020
01/14/2021 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Every year, hundreds of people are killed in violent events throughout Nigeria. This has been true since Boko Haram became one of the deadliest groups in the world in 2014 and 2015. Despite the government continuing to fight against Boko Haram, the terrorist group as well as Fulani militants, bandits, and other violent groups have been able to cause mass devastation throughout the country.
ICC was able to identify more than 1,900 civilians and government personnel that were killed by just Boko Haram and the Fulani militants. This number does not include the hundreds of militants killed or the hundreds of civilians killed by unidentified bandit groups.
01/13/2021
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Nigerian military conducted an operation to clear out what they call the Islamic State West Africa Province’s (ISWAP), second largest training camp. The camp was located in the town of Talala in Borno State. During the raid, the military says that a desperate insurgent drove a vehicle loaded with explosives into the military, killing six soldiers.
This attack may have done some damage to the strength of the insurgent group, which has controlled much of Nigeria’s Northeast over the past two decades. Despite this seemingly small victory for the military in Nigeria, there have been many loses recently as well. The Nigerian military lost 13 soldiers to an ISWAP ambush on Saturday January, 9 2021. In December, ISWAP and Boko Haram also both killed soldiers, kidnapped hundreds of people (330 Students from Kankara), executed Christians, and made threats of further violence.
12/31/2020
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Just weeks after Suspected Boko Haram militants kidnapped more than 300 students from a school in Katsina State, another 40 people have been abducted from the Wulgo Forest in Borno State. The attack took place on Thursday, December 24. During the attack, three people were killed as they tried to flee the terrorists. It is unclear what the terrorist will do with those that they captured. They may be ransomed back to family and friends. They may also be kept as slaves, sold to others, recruited to the organization or executed as a lesson to others.
This attack continues the aggression that Boko Haram has been showing recently. 2020 has been the worst year for Nigeria since the peak of Boko Haram power in 2014 and 2015. With the attack and killing of more than 70 rice farmers, the abduction of hundreds of students, the killing of more than 10 Christians on Christmas Eve, and many other attacks, Boko Haram has clearly regained
12/30/2020
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Attacks by Fulani militants against Christian communities in Kaduna state continued leading up to Christmas. At least 18 people were killed and many others abducted in the villages of Ungwan Waziri, Gwazunu, Gbaja Katarma, Galumi, Kugosi, Gora Gan, and Kujeni Tudu. These attacks all took place within a week of Christmas, with the abduction of a reverends wife on Christmas Eve.
On Dec 17, 10 people were killed, by Fulani militants in Gora Gan village of Zangon Kataf LGA. That same day, other militants also attacked the village of Kujeni Tudu, killing one older man.
On Dec 19, Rev. Luka Dani of the Evangelical Church Winning All in Galumi village was abducted. He was later released on Dec 23. It is unclear if any ransom was paid or why he was taken at this time. He has been forced to flee his home and church though.