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Boko Haram Attacks Borno Village, Kills Six, Abducts Two
At least six persons were killed on Christmas eve at Kwyaragilim village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State after gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram invaded the community, officials said.
The insurgents also abducted two women.
Chibok had in April 2014 earned global recognition when Boko Haram insurgents invaded an all-girls school and abducted over 200.
Many of the abducted girls are yet to be found till date.
On Tuesday, Kwyaragilim, a village under Chibok local government, was attacked by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
At about 6 p.m., the armed men stormed Kwaragilim, opened sporadic fire on residents, killing six persons and injuring three others.
The attackers, who were not challenged, later reportedly left the village after abducting two women.
The Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, who is currently spending the Christmas holiday in the southern local government of Borno confirmed the development in Chibok.
The governor, who was paying a sympathy visit on the residents of Askira Uba local government whose villages were attacked by Boko Haram last week, said he was saddened by the recent incidents.
“It is unfortunate that yesterday Boko Haram insurgents attacked Kwaragilim of Chibok Local Government Area where six people were killed, three injured,” the governor said.
“The insurgents came at about 6 p.m. yesterday and attacked Kwaragilim village where six people were killed, two injured. Two females were also abducted,” he said.
The commissioner said the injured persons have been taken to Chibok General Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.
Communities in Chibok Local Government area in Southern Borno have, of late, come under attack by the insurgents who have been fighting for over 10 years to carve an Islamic territory.
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Former governor of Anambra State, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially defected to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, was among the attendees.
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
