Deadly attacks continue in Borno

At least 11 civilians were killed Monday night when suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched yet another attack in Borno State, overrunning the third village in as many days.In the latest violence, the insurgents raided Jakana, 33 kilometres west of the state capital Maiduguri.They threw petrol-bombs into buildings, setting off fire that destroyed many homes and […]

At least 11 civilians were killed Monday night when suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched yet another attack in Borno State, overrunning the third village in as many days.
In the latest violence, the insurgents raided Jakana, 33 kilometres west of the state capital Maiduguri.
They threw petrol-bombs into buildings, setting off fire that destroyed many homes and business premises.
This was the third village to be overrun in the state since Saturday night, with a total death toll of at least 85 people.
A separate bombing attack in Maiduguri left 51 others dead on Saturday.
In the Jakana violence, many insurgents were also killed by troops, though their fellow gunmen took away the corpses, residents said.
This was the first time in the three most recent village attacks when soldiers were reported to have engaged the insurgents. Troops fled the previous violence in Mainok on Saturday and in Mafa on Sunday.
Information from the Jakana attack remained sketchy as at yesterday but fleeing residents, travellers and security sources said damage was done to the village and that the insurgents also suffered serious casualties.
“After the attack in Mainok, there was a report that the terrorists had concluded plans to attack Jakana as such we prepared,” a farmer, Jamri Babagana, who was seen at Tashan Joni in Maiduguri, told Daily Trust.
He said most women and children in the village were relocated to safer locations while agile men stayed behind and awake.
“Strong youths stayed closer to the troops on ground and as expected, the terrorists came calling around 10pm,” he said.
Another resident who does not want his name mentioned said, “When they came through the southern part of Jakana, they started hurling petrol bombs into our houses and shops …they also shot at many people.”
He said there was reinforcement of troops from Maiduguri around 11pm.
“The soldiers that came consolidated the efforts of those on ground who were closely working with youth vigilantes,” he said.
“Yes, the attackers burnt our houses but they also suffered serious casualty and were finally pursued by troops.”
There was no statement on the attack from military authorities in Maiduguri, who have so far remained silent on the latest string of village raids.
Speaking on the latest violence, Senator Ahmed Zannah, who represents Borno Central, told journalists in Maiduguri that 11 people were killed in Jakana.
“The villagers were aware of the planned attack and therefore women and children fled. When the insurgents went to the village, they met the elderly and therefore set the houses ablaze. Luckily enough, troops were also alert and therefore confronted them,” he said.
Jakana is a farming community inhabited by peasant farmers who also sell petroleum products in jerry cans by the highway.
There was report of a separate attack on some villages in Baga of Kukawa local government area but no details could be obtained yesterday. People in the area are rarely reached by telephone because most cell phone masts have been destroyed.
The nearness of Jakana to Maiduguri raised concerns that the attackers may be advancing towards the state capital, from where the insurgents were flushed out last year.
Other adjoining settlements hit in the recent wave of attacks are in Jere, Konduga, Maiduguri Metropolitan, Damboa, Gubio and Monguno local government areas.
The attack on Jakana had forced people in Auno, another village located 15 kilometres to Maiduguri, to flee their homes.
Thousands are also fleeing other villages, including Magumeri, following rumours that Boko Haram insurgents were headed there.
Amnesty: Over 600 killed since Jan
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has said it was alarmed by the increase in attacks in the North-East and called on the government to take effective measures to protect the people.
“Since the beginning of this year the attacks have intensified. Over 600 people have been killed by gunmen, often suspected to be Boko Haram,” said Makmid Kamara, Nigeria researcher for Amnesty International, in a statement at the weekend.
“The Nigerian government’s continued failure to protect ordinary people from attacks and unlawful killings is shocking. The authorities have an obligation to protect people’s lives and properties under all circumstances. All armed groups operating in northern Nigeria must immediately stop these horrific attacks.”
Last week, at least 29 students at a college were murdered in Yobe State.
“Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to provide better protection for schools and ensure that all attacks are properly investigated and suspected perpetrators brought to justice in a fair trial without recourse to the death penalty,” the statement said.