Makurdi - In a continuation of violence, Islamist militants from the notorious Boko Haram group launched a brutal attack on the Damzir Christian community in Chibok County, Borno State, early Sunday morning, January 12, 2025. The attack, which began at approximately 2 AM, left two people dead, a woman injured, and the Christian community in ruins.
Eyewitnesses described how more than 100 heavily armed insurgents stormed Damzir on motorbikes, indiscriminately firing into the air and terrifying residents. According to Yakubu Nkeki, a local leader and chairman of the Association of Parents of Missing Chibok Girls, over 30 homes were burned, and a church was desecrated and set ablaze.
"The attack was sudden and merciless," Nkeki told Media. "Families fled into the bush and mountains to escape the onslaught, but the damage to lives and property is devastating."
Targeted Killings and Looting:
David Ibrahim, a Chibok resident, recounted the harrowing loss of two brothers, Enock and Josiah Pogu Pudza, who were executed after refusing the militants' demands to join their ranks.
"The terrorists went house to house, intimidating people and stealing food," Ibrahim said. "When the brothers refused to comply, they were shot in cold blood."
The Militants also looted vital crops, including cassava, millet, beans, and rice, before burning the remaining supplies. This deliberate act of destruction has left the Christian community without sustenance.
Pastor Maina Yahi of the Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa (EYN), also known as the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, called for urgent action.
"The people of Chibok are living in constant fear," he said. "The authorities must act immediately to protect these communities."
Pastor Yahi urged the Governor of Borno State and representatives at all levels to prioritize the safety and well-being of Chibok residents, who have endured years of terror and displacement.
Violence In Chibok:
This attack is part of a series of violent incidents targeting Chibok in recent months. Ibrahim revealed that Boko Haram had attempted multiple assaults on nearby Christian communities, including a January 2, 2025, attack on Njiland, where homes were burned and crops stolen.
Chibok, internationally known for the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram, has once again become the scene of violence and despair. The militants, whose name translates to "Western education is forbidden," carried out this recent assault with calculated ruthlessness.
Attack on Christians in Kuduna: And Call of Action
Since 30th Nov 2024, there has been an ongoing wave of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Both Islamist groups Boko Haram and Fulani are targeting Christians; in this recent wave, 40 Christians were killed in Kaduna States of Nigeria, and more than 7000 people were displaced as Fulani terrorists destroyed their homes.
The international community and Nigerian authorities must unite to ensure the safety and stability of vulnerable regions. Without immediate intervention, more lives and the Christian community risk being destroyed.
Original Source: https://ecspe.org/boko-haram-strikes-chibok-again-killing-two-people-and-destroying-homes-and-church/
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