4,000 Displaced, Churches and Homes Burned
By Mike Odeh James and Luka Binniyat
(Maiduguri) Boko Haram terrorists have unleashed a reign of terror on Christian communities in Chibok, Borno State, displacing more than 4,000 people, burning 5 churches and homes, and leaving many to face hunger, disease, and uncertainty.
Many residents of the affected communities are facing hunger and disease and living at the mercy of the weather, as residents said over 4,000 or more are fleeing the attacks.
In a series of raids over the past five days, the Islamist group has burned at least three churches, killed three people, and destroyed livestock, farm products, and food items worth billions of naira.
Last week, TruthNigeria reported how the Islamist group attacked and killed two persons in the Banziir and Njila communities of Chibok County. These attacks led to the killing of two persons and the burning of more than 30 houses, including churches.
The latest attacks happened in Shikarkir community on Thursday night (January 16, 2025) with the terrorists burning down another church and more than 15 houses.
And in the early hours of January 20, 2025 the terrorists struck again, burning down more than 15 houses in a deserted community.
“We are living in fear, and many of us have lost our homes and livelihoods,” said Ibrahim Yana, a farmer and refugee from Shikarkir, in a phone interview with TruthNigeria.
“They (Boko Haram terrorists) attacked us on Thursday last week, burning down our church, and this morning, they came around 3 in the morning. They are still operating in Shikarkir as of 7 am this morning,” the famer said.
Yana listed the villages attacked as Njila, Banziir, Shikarkir, and Yirmirmug.
“As I talk to you, a day after the attacks on Shikarkir and Yirmirmug, most of the residents have fled their settlements,” said Yana, a local resident. “The attacks on these two communities followed a similar pattern to previous attacks on other settlements.”
According to Yana, the terrorists stormed the communities around 2 am, specifically targeting Christians, intimidating them, and urging them to convert to Islam or face their wrath.
“The terrorists sought out Christians and intimidated them while urging them to revert to Islam and/or face their wrath,” he narrated.
Yana confirmed that the attacks have resulted in the loss of lives, with at least two persons confirmed killed, although their names and families have not been identified.
“For now, I heard that two persons were killed, but I cannot tell what their names are or which families they belong to,” he said.
Another community called Yirmirmug was also attacked on Thursday night the same day Shikarkir was attacked and residents who fled from the scene of attack, said nobody was killed but said the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), “(Church of Children of Brethren in Nigeria) was torched as well.
The violence has led to a massive displacement of people, with over 1,500 persons fleeing from Shikarkir and Yirmirmug to seek refuge in Chibok town.
“However, in Chibok town, we have seen more than 1,500 persons moving here from Shikarkir and Yirmirmug,” said David Ibrahim, a 35-year-old farmer living in Chibok town.
Ibrahim told TruthNigeria that displaced persons are fleeing from outlying villages into Chibok town for protection.
“People from Banziir, Shikarkir, Yirmirmug, and other surrounding villages are running into Chibok for fear of further attacks.”
“Many of them came without food or farming implements, and a lot of them look sick and weak.”
Ibrahim added that he estimated “there are more than 4000 persons displaced now. In Yirmirmug and Shikarkir alone all the villagers have ran way, Banziir people also running away, Ibrahim said.
Rev. Azzaman Forewarned of Attacks
Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman, a prominent Christian cleric based in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, had warned of impending attacks on Chibok communities in January this year.
In an interview with Truthnigeria at the time, Rev. Azzaman revealed that Chibok communities were already surrounded by Boko Haram insurgents and were under constant probing attacks.
He expressed concern that Christian religious leaders in the area had been sending out distress calls and reporting attacks on Chibok communities, but their pleas had fallen on deaf ears, with no response from either the federal or state governments.
Azzaman’s warning came a few weeks before the recent devastating attacks on Chibok communities, which have left many displaced and several others killed or injured.
Humanitarian Disaster
The Christian cleric is also warning of an impending humanitarian crisis.
“With three communities attacked and many more under the threat, most of them are now without food, homes, or shelter. There would be hunger and sicknesses. We are facing a humanitarian crisis in Chibok now,” Azzaman said.
“Farmers have been dislocated; children will not go to schools or churches again. Food will be scarce; there will be no medical care for these persons. I am urging the Borno State Government to intervene quickly,” Azzaman added.
State Commissioner for Internal Security’s Message to TruthNigeria
According to Prof. Babagana Usman Tar, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Borno State, “The recent attacks on Chibok communities have left devastating consequences.
“At least five people lost their lives, while 74 persons were displaced, and two wounded,” Prof. Tar told TruthNigeria. “The attacks also resulted in the destruction of five churches, as well as market stalls and business premises, with property worth millions of Naira lost,” Tar added.
He identified the villages attacked in Chibok as “Bamzir, Njilang, Shikarkir, and Yimirmugza”.
Tar assured that “the Borno State Government has taken measures to prevent further attacks. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has received security briefs on the attacks and convened the Borno State Security Council to discuss the security situation.”
He quoted Governor Zulum as saying, “I call on the people of Chibok not to be intimidated by the insurgents and assure them that the government and security agencies will work to forestall any future attacks.”
Tar added that “the government has ordered the improvement of military tactics from defensive to offensive posture to prevent further attacks.”
He urged citizens to remain resolute and resilient, saying, “the insurgents fear a people that stand up against them.”
Mike Odeh James and Luka Binniyat are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
