Borno: Pastor, 19 Others Killed As Boko Haram Gunmen Set 10 Churches On Fire
BEVERLY HILLS, September 25, (THEWILL) - Rampaging Boko Haram gunmen Wednesday killed a pastor and 19 others as the insurgents set 10 Churches on fire in renewed attacks on two Borno communities.
The attacks came amid reports that the ongoing military onslaught against the insurgents are forcing many Boko Haram gunmen to surrender.
But in the renewed attacks Wednesday, local sources said the insurgents who stormed the predominantly Christian villages of Shaffa and Shindiffu in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State killed a pastor, a teacher and 18 others as they targeted houses belonging to Christians for destruction.
Shaffa is located in southern part of the state and is about 20 kilometres from Azare, the headquarters of Hawul Local Government Council while Azare is 215 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.
The pastor whose name was given as Eliud Gwamna Mshelizza was said to be in charge of the Living Faith Church, while the teacher (name withheld) was said to be working at the Government Girls Secondary School, Shaffa.
The insurgents also set ablaze 10 churches including the E.Y.N No.1, E.Y.N No.2 and 3 in Shaffa and Shindiffu villages as well as many houses belonging to Christians.
A clinic, some staff quarters and other structures at the Government Girls Secondary School in Shaffa were also said to have been destroyed by the insurgents who stormed Shaffa at about 8pm on Wednesday and wreaked havoc before moving to neighbouring Shindiffu Village Thursday morning at about 11am.
In the last two months, the terrorists have attacked Tashan Alade, Hirzhi, Pela Birni, Debiro, Kwajaffa Bura, Jubwuwhi, Dalwa, Shaffa, and Shindiffu, all within the area.
Fleeing residents of Shaffa said some troops were deployed to the town just about the time the insurgents were concluding their destruction of the village but they only succeeded in pursuing the already fleeing terrorists who later launched another attack on Shindiffu, a nearby village, hours after.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, confirmed the attacks on Shaffa and Shindiffu villages while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri Thursday.
“Yes there was an attack on some villages of Hawul Local Government Area by suspected members of Boko Haram yesterday (Wednesday) but I am yet to get details due to lack of telecommunication services in the affected areas,' he said.