99 Nigerians Killed by Islamists in Attack on Village, Christian Church

The Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram killed at least 99 Nigerians on Sunday in one of the highest death tolls. They attacked two towns, including a Christian church service and burning down homes. The attacks occurred in the northeast region of Nigeria.

In Kawuri village in Borno, several explosions killed 52 people, wounded 16, and burned down the entire village. Over 300 homes were lost, and officials said two other devices almost took out security personnel who were gathering the dead bodies. Ari Kolomi, a village resident, said there was “no house left standing” and that over 50 men were responsible for the attack.

Then the terrorists attacked a Roman Catholic church in Borno.

Also on Sunday, suspected militants in Adamawa state, south of Borno, stormed a church during a Sunday morning service in Wada Chakawa village. They fired guns, set off explosives and took residents hostage, said the Rev. Raymond Danbouye, a spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Yola. He said about two dozen people were killed and buried Monday.

Local Chairman Maina Ularamu said official recovered 45 bodies including those of two police officers. He urged calm, saying: “I believe security operatives are on top of the situation.”

“They used explosives during the attack on worshippers, and many people lost their lives,” said villager Moses Apogu. Another resident said some people were taken away and later killed.

Residents said the men also burned down homes and took hostages during the five-hour siege. Brig. Gen. Rogers Nichols said they are still counting bodies and do not know when they will have an official death count.

In mid-January, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan replaced his chief of defense and the heads of the navy, army, and air force. No reason was given, but it did come at a time when Nigeria is facing more attacks from Boko Haram even after Jonathan declared a state of emergency in May 2013.

Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden,” and the Islamist terrorist group wishes to cleanse Nigeria of the Western way of life and enforce Islamic law. Their first targets were Western-style schools, but now they attack Christians and non-Muslims. They kidnap Christian women and force them to be slave brides.