Nigerian Village In Mourning After Boko Haram Slaughter

In a reprisal attack on a village located in northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram has killed at least 45 people, reports Reuters.

Boko Haram stormed the village early Wednesday to avenge the death of four of its members who went into a market, where they were identified and killed by soldiers in a shootout.

“The Boko Haram militants mobilized and came on a reprisal,” a source told Reuters.

Boko Haram’s militants stormed into the village riding in trucks, and started attacking villagers and destroying houses. The militants also took food, wares, and livestock. Boko Haram also burned more than 50 motorcycles, and took with them four cars and four other vehicles.

“From what we counted so far, 45 men have been killed and there are others that died in the bushes… due [to] excessive bleeding after sustaining bullet injuries,” Jabir Usman, a resident of Azaya Kura, told local media.

The attack on the village of Azaya Kura happened on a busy market day explains Shettima Lawan, the chairman of Mafa district council.

“They slaughtered 45 people. They’ve been buried.”I am still searching for motives behind mass killing and destruction by some people under the guise of entrenching certain religion. I wish to appeal to the federal government to take urgent steps and rescue our people from imminent extinction,” Lawan said.

Azaya Kura is located near the Nigerian border, which is mainly under the control of the Boko Haram. Boko Haram seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate across all of northern Nigeria.

Attacks by Boko Haram have increased since the group rejected a ceasefire that was announced by the government. The northeast region of Nigeria is in dire straits, for there is no economic activity taking place there now. Boko Haram’s attacks have caused people and businesses to relocate leaving the area almost desolate.

The insurgents attacked the village around noon and rounded up villagers to kill them. They tied the villager’s hands behind their backs and slit their throats.

According to BBC News, Shettima Lawan, the caretaker of the local government, called the attack “wicked and despicable.”

Over a period of months, Boko Haram has taken control of several towns and villages in northeastern Nigeria, leaving a trail of blood behind them.

The Nigerian authorities have greatly struggled in their attempts to defeat the Islamic terrorist group. Boko Haram’s insurgency has been waging since 2009.

New York-based Human Rights Watch reports that more than 2,000 civilians have been killed by Boko Haram just this year.