Campaign of terror in Northern Nigeria

Boko Haram continued its campaign of terror in northern and central Nigeria on 7 July, with attacks in Kaduna, Bauchi and Borno States that claimed at least 34 lives.

A female suicide bomber detonated her device as workers were queuing for a wage verification exercise at the Sabon Gari Local Government Secretariat in Zaria, Kaduna State on 7 July. While the official death toll is currently 26 people, local eyewitnesses claim fatalities may be closer to 80. The majority of casualties are reported to have been primary school teachers and council workers.

On the same day, a man was killed and his pregnant wife was seriously injured in Bauchi State by armed assailants who are suspected to be members of Boko Haram. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide-Nigeria (CSW-N), the attack occurred at around 7pm, as Mr Lumana John, and his wife Grace were travelling on a motorcycle in Goshe in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA). Mr John died at the scene and his injured wife is currently receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The attack on Mr and Mrs John is thought to have been carried out by Boko Haram following a failed assault on the Tafawa Balewa community, which was launched on 30 June. The attack was repelled by the community, who seized some of the sect’s weaponry and destroyed six of its vehicles.

In Borno State, two female suicide bombers detonated their devices in Sabon Gari village market in Damboa LGA, killing three people and injuring five. The village is situated in the Sambisa Forest, 150 kilometres south of the state capital, Maiduguri. Another female suicide bomber reportedly attacked a military checkpoint in the Sabon Gari area, killing herself and four others, including two members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).

Boko Haram has allegedly offered to release the Chibok Girls in exchange for 16 detained terrorists.

Alongside the increase in Boko Haram-related terrorism there has been a spike in attacks by armed Fulani herders on non-Muslim communities in several states in central Nigeria. For example, 13 members of the Berom tribe are reported to have died on 7 July in an attack on Sho village in Plateau State by armed Fulani herders. On 5 July Fulani herders stormed Dalo Memorial High School, a Christian establishment in Barkin Ladi LGA in Plateau State, killing two students. They also reportedly shot and killed a local farmer. On 29 June, Nigerian media sources reported that fighting between Fulanis and Agatu tribesmen in Kogi State had resulted in the loss of over eighty lives. On 26 June, a state police spokesman reported that at least 96 people had been killed in Benue State after several villages were attacked by armed Fulani herdsmen. Meanwhile, on 17 June, nine people died and ten were injured in an attack by Fulani gunmen on Katsak village in the Takad Chiefdom of Jama’a LGA in Kaduna State.

The improved tactics and armoury of the herders has prompted speculation of a link with Boko Haram. In June 2014, a training camp for Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen was discovered by local vigilantes in Rim, Riyom LGA, Plateau State.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in these attacks in central and northern Nigeria. This alarming surge of violence must be met with firm intervention in defence of vulnerable communities and the rigorous enforcement of the rule of law, with perpetrators *being pursued, apprehended and prosecuted. We urge the Federal Government to act swiftly to stem the tide of violence and reclaim earlier strategic gains.”