Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, yesterday, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people. Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers. Five churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service. The attacks were carried out on a day the Federal Government said last week’s bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.
File Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011. File Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011. It was in Chibok town that 276 female students of Government Girls Secondary School were abducted by terrorists on April 14 this year. Boko Haram had two weeks ago written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks. The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship. A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus told Vanguard that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.” It was gathered from another source that the people living in Chibok town have fled their homes following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari. A police officer, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service. Tears flow from Chibok natives Vanguard also gathered that Chibok natives resident in Maiduguri could not hold back tears, yesterday, when they learnt that some of their villages came under deadly attacks . At Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area, a resident, Mallam Audu Zira told Vanguard on phone that the terrorists came in pick up vehicles and motorcycles and opened fire on people before setting houses, and other property ablaze. He said after killing one person, the terrorists carted away foodstuffs and motorcycles before they fled into the bush. All efforts to reach spokesman of the Borno State police command, DSP Gideon Jibrin proved abortive as his line was switched off at the time of this report. Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District also confirmed the multiple attacks on Chibok villages, yesterday, in a telephone interview in Maiduguri. He said the Federal Government should do more by deploying more troops to the affected areas of Chibok to secure other villages from being attacked by Boko Haram insurgents. “The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts. “The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said. Chibok girls: US reduces surveillance flights Meanwhile, the United States said weekend that it had reduced its surveillance flights in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram members on April 14 this year but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries. “We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there has been no let up of the effort itself”, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement. A U S defence official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that US flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by British and French support -
Chibok burns again; as gunmen kill 51, burn Churches, houses
BY Henry Umoru & NDAHI MARAMA
MAIDUGURI—Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, yesterday, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people. Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers. Five churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service.
The attacks were carried out on a day the Federal Government said last week’s bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.
It
was in Chibok town that 276 female students of Government Girls
Secondary School were abducted by terrorists on April 14 this year.
Boko Haram had two weeks ago written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks.
The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship. A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus told Vanguard that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.”
It was gathered from another source that the people living in Chibok town have fled their homes following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari.
A police officer, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service.
Tears flow from Chibok natives
Vanguard also gathered that Chibok natives resident in Maiduguri could not hold back tears, yesterday, when they learnt that some of their villages came under deadly attacks .
At Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area, a resident, Mallam Audu Zira told Vanguard on phone that the terrorists came in pick up vehicles and motorcycles and opened fire on people before setting houses, and other property ablaze.
He said after killing one person, the terrorists carted away foodstuffs and motorcycles before they fled into the bush.
All efforts to reach spokesman of the Borno State police command, DSP Gideon Jibrin proved abortive as his line was switched off at the time of this report.
Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District also confirmed the multiple attacks on Chibok villages, yesterday, in a telephone interview in Maiduguri. He said the Federal Government should do more by deploying more troops to the affected areas of Chibok to secure other villages from being attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
“The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts.
“The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said.
Chibok girls: US reduces surveillance flights
Meanwhile, the United States said weekend that it had reduced its surveillance flights in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram members on April 14 this year but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.
“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there has been no let up of the effort itself”, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.
A U S defence official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that US flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by British and French support
MAIDUGURI—Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, yesterday, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people. Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers. Five churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service.
The attacks were carried out on a day the Federal Government said last week’s bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.
File
Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa
Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011.
Boko Haram had two weeks ago written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks.
The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship. A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus told Vanguard that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.”
It was gathered from another source that the people living in Chibok town have fled their homes following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari.
A police officer, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service.
Tears flow from Chibok natives
Vanguard also gathered that Chibok natives resident in Maiduguri could not hold back tears, yesterday, when they learnt that some of their villages came under deadly attacks .
At Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area, a resident, Mallam Audu Zira told Vanguard on phone that the terrorists came in pick up vehicles and motorcycles and opened fire on people before setting houses, and other property ablaze.
He said after killing one person, the terrorists carted away foodstuffs and motorcycles before they fled into the bush.
All efforts to reach spokesman of the Borno State police command, DSP Gideon Jibrin proved abortive as his line was switched off at the time of this report.
Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District also confirmed the multiple attacks on Chibok villages, yesterday, in a telephone interview in Maiduguri. He said the Federal Government should do more by deploying more troops to the affected areas of Chibok to secure other villages from being attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
“The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts.
“The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said.
Chibok girls: US reduces surveillance flights
Meanwhile, the United States said weekend that it had reduced its surveillance flights in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram members on April 14 this year but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.
“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there has been no let up of the effort itself”, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.
A U S defence official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that US flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by British and French support
INSURGENCY: Enugu Churches screen worshippers
*As Catholic Church bans women handbags
By Tony Edike
ENUGU—AS part of efforts to forestall attack on the church by Boko Haram insurgents who are feared to have invaded the South Eastern states, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, conducted thorough screening of its members before allowing them into the Sunday services.
The church also banned women from entering with hand-bags as part of the security measures.
Some Pentecostal churches within Enugu have also procured bomb detecting equipment with which they screened vehicles driven by worshippers into the premises of the churches within the state capital. Some churches have constructed iron barricades to prevent insurgents from hitting the church buildings with their vehicles.
The extra security measures by the churches, according to the church leaders, came on the heels of the recent discovery of two bombs in the Winners’ Chapel in Owerri, Imo State, which were diffused by police bomb experts.
The arrest of more than 400 insurgents at Aba, Abia State, by soldiers who alleged that two other buses containing suspected insurgents that fateful night successfully escaped has further increased the anxiety among the people of the South East over the presence of insurgents in the zone.
The Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Calistus Onaga, was said to have directed all parish priests within the Diocese to make the official announcement regarding the ban on female worshippers coming into the churches with handbag, during Sunday services
The bishop, who appealed to the church members to cooperate with the ushers and security men charged with maintaining security in the churches, explained that the exercise was not meant to embarrass the women or anybody, but borne out of the present disturbing insecurity challenges facing the nation.
He assured that the security measures would be carried out with human face,and in a civilised manner, adding that the church did not want to take chances.
A worshipper who do not want his name in print said, “I must tell you, the Bishop and entire Catholic faithful in Enugu, are apprehensive with the rumour of the insurgents infiltrating the east, especially the alleged recent escape of two buses conveying Boko Haram members in Abia state, during a security check.
“I support the development that henceforth, women will no longer be allowed to enter Catholic churches during masses with hand bags, apart from their purses, which will also be subjected to thorough scrutiny by church workers.
“Before today’s announcement was made, our Bishop had already briefed all the parish priests under the Diocese, so that they can take the message down to their various parishes.
“Though, we known that if God did not guard a city, guard men will be guarding in vein; but there is also need for us as human beings to play our own part, while God plays his own part”.
It was also observed in some of the Pentecostal churches within Enugu capital visited yesterday that the worshippers were subjected to thorough security screening by the internal security men of the churches while some churches were being guarded by armed policemen.
Both cars and handbags were searched to ensure that no bomb was smuggled into the church while the premises were patrolled regularly to forestall attacks by insurgents who might target the places of worship.
By Tony Edike
ENUGU—AS part of efforts to forestall attack on the church by Boko Haram insurgents who are feared to have invaded the South Eastern states, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, conducted thorough screening of its members before allowing them into the Sunday services.
The church also banned women from entering with hand-bags as part of the security measures.
Some Pentecostal churches within Enugu have also procured bomb detecting equipment with which they screened vehicles driven by worshippers into the premises of the churches within the state capital. Some churches have constructed iron barricades to prevent insurgents from hitting the church buildings with their vehicles.
The extra security measures by the churches, according to the church leaders, came on the heels of the recent discovery of two bombs in the Winners’ Chapel in Owerri, Imo State, which were diffused by police bomb experts.
The arrest of more than 400 insurgents at Aba, Abia State, by soldiers who alleged that two other buses containing suspected insurgents that fateful night successfully escaped has further increased the anxiety among the people of the South East over the presence of insurgents in the zone.
The Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Calistus Onaga, was said to have directed all parish priests within the Diocese to make the official announcement regarding the ban on female worshippers coming into the churches with handbag, during Sunday services
The bishop, who appealed to the church members to cooperate with the ushers and security men charged with maintaining security in the churches, explained that the exercise was not meant to embarrass the women or anybody, but borne out of the present disturbing insecurity challenges facing the nation.
He assured that the security measures would be carried out with human face,and in a civilised manner, adding that the church did not want to take chances.
A worshipper who do not want his name in print said, “I must tell you, the Bishop and entire Catholic faithful in Enugu, are apprehensive with the rumour of the insurgents infiltrating the east, especially the alleged recent escape of two buses conveying Boko Haram members in Abia state, during a security check.
“I support the development that henceforth, women will no longer be allowed to enter Catholic churches during masses with hand bags, apart from their purses, which will also be subjected to thorough scrutiny by church workers.
“Before today’s announcement was made, our Bishop had already briefed all the parish priests under the Diocese, so that they can take the message down to their various parishes.
“Though, we known that if God did not guard a city, guard men will be guarding in vein; but there is also need for us as human beings to play our own part, while God plays his own part”.
It was also observed in some of the Pentecostal churches within Enugu capital visited yesterday that the worshippers were subjected to thorough security screening by the internal security men of the churches while some churches were being guarded by armed policemen.
Both cars and handbags were searched to ensure that no bomb was smuggled into the church while the premises were patrolled regularly to forestall attacks by insurgents who might target the places of worship.
INSURGENCY: Enugu Churches screen worshippers
*As Catholic Church bans women handbags
By Tony Edike
ENUGU—AS part of efforts to forestall attack on the church by Boko Haram insurgents who are feared to have invaded the South Eastern states, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, conducted thorough screening of its members before allowing them into the Sunday services.
The church also banned women from entering with hand-bags as part of the security measures.
Some Pentecostal churches within Enugu have also procured bomb detecting equipment with which they screened vehicles driven by worshippers into the premises of the churches within the state capital. Some churches have constructed iron barricades to prevent insurgents from hitting the church buildings with their vehicles.
The extra security measures by the churches, according to the church leaders, came on the heels of the recent discovery of two bombs in the Winners’ Chapel in Owerri, Imo State, which were diffused by police bomb experts.
The arrest of more than 400 insurgents at Aba, Abia State, by soldiers who alleged that two other buses containing suspected insurgents that fateful night successfully escaped has further increased the anxiety among the people of the South East over the presence of insurgents in the zone.
The Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Calistus Onaga, was said to have directed all parish priests within the Diocese to make the official announcement regarding the ban on female worshippers coming into the churches with handbag, during Sunday services
The bishop, who appealed to the church members to cooperate with the ushers and security men charged with maintaining security in the churches, explained that the exercise was not meant to embarrass the women or anybody, but borne out of the present disturbing insecurity challenges facing the nation.
He assured that the security measures would be carried out with human face,and in a civilised manner, adding that the church did not want to take chances.
A worshipper who do not want his name in print said, “I must tell you, the Bishop and entire Catholic faithful in Enugu, are apprehensive with the rumour of the insurgents infiltrating the east, especially the alleged recent escape of two buses conveying Boko Haram members in Abia state, during a security check.
“I support the development that henceforth, women will no longer be allowed to enter Catholic churches during masses with hand bags, apart from their purses, which will also be subjected to thorough scrutiny by church workers.
“Before today’s announcement was made, our Bishop had already briefed all the parish priests under the Diocese, so that they can take the message down to their various parishes.
“Though, we known that if God did not guard a city, guard men will be guarding in vein; but there is also need for us as human beings to play our own part, while God plays his own part”.
It was also observed in some of the Pentecostal churches within Enugu capital visited yesterday that the worshippers were subjected to thorough security screening by the internal security men of the churches while some churches were being guarded by armed policemen.
Both cars and handbags were searched to ensure that no bomb was smuggled into the church while the premises were patrolled regularly to forestall attacks by insurgents who might target the places of worship.
By Tony Edike
ENUGU—AS part of efforts to forestall attack on the church by Boko Haram insurgents who are feared to have invaded the South Eastern states, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, conducted thorough screening of its members before allowing them into the Sunday services.
The church also banned women from entering with hand-bags as part of the security measures.
Some Pentecostal churches within Enugu have also procured bomb detecting equipment with which they screened vehicles driven by worshippers into the premises of the churches within the state capital. Some churches have constructed iron barricades to prevent insurgents from hitting the church buildings with their vehicles.
The extra security measures by the churches, according to the church leaders, came on the heels of the recent discovery of two bombs in the Winners’ Chapel in Owerri, Imo State, which were diffused by police bomb experts.
The arrest of more than 400 insurgents at Aba, Abia State, by soldiers who alleged that two other buses containing suspected insurgents that fateful night successfully escaped has further increased the anxiety among the people of the South East over the presence of insurgents in the zone.
The Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Calistus Onaga, was said to have directed all parish priests within the Diocese to make the official announcement regarding the ban on female worshippers coming into the churches with handbag, during Sunday services
The bishop, who appealed to the church members to cooperate with the ushers and security men charged with maintaining security in the churches, explained that the exercise was not meant to embarrass the women or anybody, but borne out of the present disturbing insecurity challenges facing the nation.
He assured that the security measures would be carried out with human face,and in a civilised manner, adding that the church did not want to take chances.
A worshipper who do not want his name in print said, “I must tell you, the Bishop and entire Catholic faithful in Enugu, are apprehensive with the rumour of the insurgents infiltrating the east, especially the alleged recent escape of two buses conveying Boko Haram members in Abia state, during a security check.
“I support the development that henceforth, women will no longer be allowed to enter Catholic churches during masses with hand bags, apart from their purses, which will also be subjected to thorough scrutiny by church workers.
“Before today’s announcement was made, our Bishop had already briefed all the parish priests under the Diocese, so that they can take the message down to their various parishes.
“Though, we known that if God did not guard a city, guard men will be guarding in vein; but there is also need for us as human beings to play our own part, while God plays his own part”.
It was also observed in some of the Pentecostal churches within Enugu capital visited yesterday that the worshippers were subjected to thorough security screening by the internal security men of the churches while some churches were being guarded by armed policemen.
Both cars and handbags were searched to ensure that no bomb was smuggled into the church while the premises were patrolled regularly to forestall attacks by insurgents who might target the places of worship.
