Breakthrough in Chibok abductions

The Nigerian military has announced the arrest of a key figure in the abduction of over 200 girls from a school in Chibok, southern Borno State on 14 April and the disruption of a Boko Haram terrorist cell. The breakthrough follows a week of violence in several states.

In a statement issued on television on 30 June, the arrested man was identified as Babuji Ya’ari, a businessman who had also joined the local vigilante group, the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), where he spied for Boko Haram. According to the military, Ya’ari spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, and had coordinated explosives and other attacks in Maiduguri since 2011. As a result of his arrest, the army was also able to apprehend two female Boko Haram operatives. While Haj Kaka acted as an armourer and spy, Hafsat Bako, detained after escaping to Gombe State, coordinated payments to Boko Haram operatives, who received a minimum of N10,000 each, depending on the enormity of their mission.

The intelligence breakthrough follows a particularly difficult week for the nation. Details are currently emerging of a possible suicide bombing at a busy market in the Borno State capital Maiduguri in the early hours of 1 July that is thought to have claimed many lives

At least 50 people are thought to have died following targeted attacks by Boko Haram gunmen on church services in communities in southern Borno State on Sunday 29 June.

Sect members reportedly began by attacking the village of Kwada, where they shot at worshippers and set fire to at least four churches, including those belonging to the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Church of the Brethren (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, EYN,) and Deeper Life Bible denominations, before moving on to Kautikari village, where they attacked residents and destroyed a number of houses, including one belonging to a special assistant to the Borno State governor. They are also reported to have attacked Ngurojina and Karagau villages. A local resident informed a Nigerian media agency that despite calling for assistance, the community did not receive timely protection from the security forces. Boko Haram gunmen are also reported to have attacked Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area (LGA), in southern Borno.

Kwada, Kautikari, Ngurojina and Karagau villages are in Chibok LGA and are located close to Chibok Town, where the schoolgirls were abducted. Following the abductions, Boko Haram militants are reported to have delivered letters threatening further attacks in the area.

At least 123 people were killed in Dogon Daji, Kobin, Naidu, Kabamu-Karshi, Hayin Kwanta, Kabani and Gani villages in Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, in an onslaught by armed Fulani gunmen that began on the evening of 24 June. Police in Kaduna later confirmed they had arrested three suspects, recovering three AK47 rifles and 158 rounds of ammunition. However, on the evening of 28 June, Fulani gunmen attacked two more villages in Sanga LGA, leaving at least 25 people dead.

On 25 June, at least 21 people were killed and 17 injured in a bombing at a crowded shopping mall in Abuja, the first such attack in the centre of the city for several years. One of the attackers was arrested and another killed as he prepared to detonate more devices. Also on 25 June, four people are reported to have died in two explosions near the Folawiyo Energy Depot along Creek Road in Apapa, Lagos, thought to have been caused by improvised explosive devices (IED’s).

One suspect is reported to have been arrested in connection with a bomb and gun attack on Peoples Hotel in the Bayan Gari area of Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State, on the evening of 27 June that left an estimated 11 people dead and injured 28. According to eyewitnesses, five men in military attire detonated explosives and shot at random before speeding away in a white Toyota Hilux van. On the same day, a 13 year-old boy reportedly averted a car bombing in Kano City of Kano State by alerting police about a suspicious vehicle parked close to a mosque. The discovery came as the Kano police force announced the arrested of a suspect in connection with an explosion that claimed eight lives at the Kano State School of Hygiene on 24 June. Also on 27 June, Boko Haram fighters in military attire and travelling in four armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and 11 Hilux trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns are reported to have attacked soldiers in Goniri village, Yobe State, with both sides suffering casualties.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the many families bereaved during the series of attacks across the country. In Borno in particular, the targeting of the Christian community is tantamount to religious cleansing and violates the right to freedom of religion or belief, as enshrined in article 38 of Nigeria’s federal constitution. While we greatly commend the Nigerian military for the breakthrough in the Chibok case and for making steady inroads into the terrorist network, we also renew our call for effective protection for civilians, particularly in southern Borno and southern Kaduna, so they can go about their daily lives without the threat of violence or death.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.