‘Boko Haram raids force people to flee’

Boko Haram atrocities in the northeastern parts of Nigeria have compelled people to leave their homes, fleeing to neighboring Cameroon, an official says.

“We’ve been flooded here in (the town of) Mora by Cameroonians and Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram,” a Cameroonian police officer said on Sunday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officer added that until Friday, “there were already more than 10,000 people in Mora. Not a day goes by without more people coming.”

A large number of people have been internally displaced in Nigeria and many others have crossed the borders into neighboring countries, because of the attacks conducted by Boko Haram Takfiri militants. 

On Saturday, the militants continued their acts of terror in Nigeria’s twin towns of Gamboru and Ngala, killing scores of civilians.

“They are now killing people like chickens. They started by selective killings and later went on a killing spree,” said a Gamboru resident.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for many deadly gun and bomb attacks in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its militancy in 2009. Over 10,000 people have so far been killed in the assaults.

The militants have also conducted a number of assaults and kidnappings in Cameroon, including the abduction of the deputy prime minister’s wife in late July.  Following the abduction, the Cameroonian army launched a successful operation and rescued Amadou Ali’s abducted wife.

Boko Haram — whose name means “Western education is forbidden” — says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

MSM/MAM/AS