Nigeria: 14 killed in suspected terrorist attack in Borno

The local government official said more casualties might be recovered, as volunteers continue to search for more bodies. Read further on Dynamite News

Abuja: At least 14 people were killed in an attack by suspected terrorists who attacked a community in Borno, one of the restive states in Nigeria's northern region, local authorities said.

The terrorists, suspected to be members of the outlawed Boko Haram group, stormed the Chibok community during a third-day prayer for a late district leader Monday evening, shooting indiscriminately and instantly killing seven mourners, Modu Mustapha, head of the Chibok local government area of Borno, told reporters.

Many Suffered Gunshots

Seven more bodies were recovered Tuesday as local volunteers combed the surroundings in search of casualties. Many others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the violence, which, according to Mustapha, had the trappings of Boko Haram attacks. Several houses were set ablaze during the attack.

The local government official said more casualties might be recovered, as volunteers continue to search for more bodies.

Boko Haram has been collaborating with its sister group, Islamic State West Africa Province, in an attemp to establish an Islamist state in northeast Nigeria. The terror groups have also extended their attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin.

Boko Haram: A Backgrounder

Boko Haram is officially known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād. It is a self-proclaimed jihadist militant group based in northeastern Nigeria and also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali.

In 2016 Boko Haram split which resulted in the emergence of a hostile faction known as the Islamic State's West Africa Province.

Founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002, the group was led by Abubakar Shekau from 2009 until his death in 2021, although it splintered into other groups after Yusuf's death in 2009, as well as in 2015.

Brutality And Insurgency

The group has been known for its brutality and since the insurgency started in 2009, Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands of people, in frequent attacks against the police, armed forces and civilians. It has resulted in the deaths of more than 300,000 children and has displaced 2.3 million from their homes, Boko Haram has contributed to regional food crises and famines.

When the group was first formed, their main goal was to "purify", meaning to spread Sunni Islam, and destroy Shia Islam in northern Nigeria, believing jihad should be delayed until the group was strong enough to overthrow the Nigerian government.