Eight Churches Destroyed By Terror Sect in Nigeria
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."
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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.
"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.
