#News: Boko Haram city attack repelled

Started by BBC, Feb 14, 2015, 09:31 PM

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Feb 14, 2015, 09:31 PM
Map  Boko Haram controls a swathe of territory in north-eastern Nigeria.

Its insurgency has become a regional crisis with the four affected countries - Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon -agreeing to form a regional military force to try to contain the threat.

In response, the insurgents have stepped up their attacks in Nigeria and neighbouring states.

It emerged on Friday that Boko Haram had attacked Chad for the first time, crossing Lake Chad in four motorboats and raiding a village overnight.

The village of Ngouboua after the first attack by Boko Haram on Chadian soil, 13 February 2015 Houses were set ablaze in the attack on the Chadian village   The village of Ngouboua after the first attack by Boko Haram on Chadian soil, 13 February 2015 Several residents were killed   The remains of cattle in the village of Ngouboua after the first attack by Boko Haram on Chadian soil, 13 February 2015 Boko Haram militants carried out the attack after crossing Lake Chad by motorboat  Security sources and witnesses said five people were killed by Boko Haram in the village of Ngouboua, including a local chief, a police officer and three civilians. The Chadian military said two of the attackers were also killed.

Some reports put the civilian death toll higher.

A Nigerian refugee Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

The BBC's Tomi Oladipo hears the harrowing stories of refugees from Boko Haram living in north-eastern Nigeria

Villagers said about 30 militants took part in the attack, setting fire to two-thirds of homes.

Boko Haram, which wants to create an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria, has killed thousands and forced millions to flee their homes in north-east Nigeria since 2009.

line  Boko Haram at a glance  A screen grab taken from a video released on You Tube in April 2012, apparently showing Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau (centre) sitting flanked by militants  
  • Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language
  • Launched military operations in 2009 to create Islamic state
  • Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria - also attacked police and UN headquarters in capital, Abuja
  • Abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
  • Controls several north-eastern towns
  • Launched attacks against neighbouring Niger and Cameroon in 2015
Why is Boko Haram so strong?

line   line  Do you or your family live in Gombe? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

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