Islamic extremists Boko Haram rampage in northeast Nigeria, no troops fighting
Islamic extremists are
rampaging through villages in northeastern Nigeria, killing, burning
and looting with no troops protecting civilians, fleeing villagers said
Wednesday.
More than 40 people have been killed in seven villages in Adamawa state this week, according to resident Emmanuel Kwache.
"They
slaughtered people like rams and they burned down our houses after
looting food," Kwache said. "There's no presence of troops, some
residents are hiding on top of hills, while those that could not run
were abducted, particularly youths and women."
State
legislator Adamu Kamale said he has appealed in vain for troops since
the attacks began on Friday. On Monday the militants moved into Michika
town, he said.
In Maiduguri, capital of Borno
state and some 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Michika, people
fleeing other Boko Haram attacks say the militants warned they are
preparing to massacre them in Maiduguri and that "there will be no
mercy."
Maiduguri is the biggest city in the
northeast where troops repelled a daring offensive by hundreds of
militants Sunday. Boko Haram attacked Maiduguri at three entry points
and at least 200 combatants were killed in prolonged gun battles,
according to residents and security forces.
"They
kept saying ... we can all run into the big grave they are preparing
for us in Maiduguri", said Aishatu Ba'malum, who fled from Monguno, a
northeast town taken Sunday by militants.
Maiduguri's
population of 2 million has been swollen by about 200,000 refugees who
have fled Boko Haram in the surrounding countryside. Four roads lead to
Maiduguri and Boko Haram already controls access to three. The militants
are believed to be attacking the fourth road leading to the northern
city of Kano, according to residents too scared to leave though they
fear an imminent attack.
Cars and truckloads
of refugees continue to arrive. One station wagon was crammed full of
passengers, with men's feet sticking out the trunk, a prayer mat poking
out of one window and a dozen live chickens tied to the roof.
The
attacks were not unexpected. On Jan. 3 the militants seized the
strategic military base and town of Baga, on the border with Cameroon,
leaving the road open to Maiduguri.
Amnesty
International said Wednesday it has evidence the Nigerian military was
repeatedly warned of the impending attacks on Baga and Monguno, and
failed to take adequate action to protect civilians.
Community
leader Hussain Monguno told The Associated Press at the time of the
attack that he had warned authorities and the U.S. Embassy days before
that senior Boko Haram fighters were massing to attack Baga.
The
extremists who denounce democracy are increasing attacks as Nigeria
prepares for Feb. 14 elections. Some 10,000 people died in the 5-year
insurgency in the past year.
Source: hosted.ap.org
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