Eight Churches Destroyed by Terror Sect in Nigeria

0
By Matthew Cortina , Christian Post Reporter
November 28, 2011|10:02 am

Terror sect Boko Haram attacked a city in northeast Nigeria Sunday, destroying at least eight churches, a police station, a bank and buildings of local businesses. At least four police officers were killed.

Boko Haram, a fundamental Islamist terror organization, has targeted Christians in the western African country over the last two years.

"The Geidam divisional police headquarters and First Bank were bombed on Saturday evening by Boko Haram and fire was exchanged into the night between police and Boko Haram members," a police spokesman told reporters. "Four policemen were killed, 20 wounded, eight churches and 20 market stalls as well as Geidam council secretariat are completely destroyed."

The attacks were conducted between 6 and 6:30 p.m. local time. Witnesses have not identified any of the culprits, but the attacks come a day after Boko Haram issued a list of new targets, which included churches and government buildings.

"The attackers, who are from all indications members of Boko Haram, came in a large number and attacked the police station with explosives and gunshots and burnt it down," a witness, Abba Kashim, told Daily Trust.

It is unknown how many civilians were killed in the attack, but officials have said dozens were injured. The attack included bombings and indiscriminate firing – acts that are becoming trademarks of Boko Haram attacks.

Follow us

"Many people have been trapped in the attacks but it is difficult to say how many have been affected," Idrissa Galda, a witness of the attacks, told Daily Trust.

On Friday, Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan told investors in Paris that Boko Haram would soon be stomped out and posed only a “temporary” problem.

The government brushed off warnings earlier this month from the U.S. Embassy that the terror sect was planning attacks in the capitol city of Abuja. Five people were killed last week following two separate explosions in Abuja.

Boko Haram wants to implement Shariah law throughout Nigeria. The country is roughly split between Muslims, who occupy the north, and Christians, who occupy the south.

Advertisement
Top Stories

Greg Laurie: 4 Words That Can Change Your Marriage

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church in Southern ...

Tornadoes Kill 1, Injure Dozens in US Midwest; More Storms Likely on Monday

Tornadoes swept through five states in the U.S. Midwest on Sunday, killing a 79-year-old man in Oklahoma and injuring dozens others. Weather officials have warned that the region could face more severe weather on Monday.

Billboards in Chicago Feature 'Pregnant' Boys to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

The Chicago Department of Public Health has placed billboards featuring teen boys with "pregnant" bellies throughout the city, as part of a newly launched campaign to prevent teen pregnancies.