Nigeria: Boko Haram jihadists seize two towns despite government claims of victory
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari previously claimed that his government had 'defeated' Boko Haram
Tuesday 27 August 2019 - Boko Haram jihadis seized two towns in Nigeria’s Borno state on Wednesday, killing many people as they set houses and government buildings ablaze.
The group was formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād.
Citing the state-run News Agency of Nigeria and a top local government official, the Punch newspaper reports that the terrorists have left the two towns, noting:
Normalcy has returned to Gubio and Magumeri communities of Borno after the Wednesday night attacks coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that residents in the affected areas returned to their homes after the insurgents’ attacks at Gubio and Magumeri headquarters of Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of the state.
The insurgents attacked the communities at about 6:00 pm [Wednesday]; torched residential homes, schools, offices, looted food items and abducted a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
…the Premium Times reports that jihadis remain in control of the towns.Unlike other news outlets, the newspaper assigned blame for the attack to the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) affiliate in West Africa (ISWA), a Boko Haram offshoot.
'The terrorists, mostly of the Boko Haram ISWA affiliate, have remained in control of Gubio, Magumeri and contiguous communities,' the Premium Times reports….
A local government official told Sahara Reporters on the condition of anonymity:
It is unfortunate that a week after a deadly attack which took place in Gubio that led to the withdrawal of troops, other armed insurgents stormed Gubio town at about 6 pm, performed their maghrib prayers about 6:30 pm in Gubio Mosque before they wreaked havoc on innocent civilians with setting ablaze of houses and public structures.
Maghrib refers to one of the five obligatory daily prayers of Islam performed after sunset.
Without providing a specific figure, local news outlets report that Wednesday’s attack left 'many' people dead….
The attacks came weeks after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration falsely claimed that his government 'defeated' Boko Haram.
Buhari has repeatedly claimed victory over the group since taking office in 2015, but the group has continued to wreak havoc.
Editor's comment - The Nigerian government does not have the manpower or resources to defeat an enemy like Boko Haram on its own. However, this is a global struggle, and as such should be met with an international response. But don't hold your breath - when Muslims are the aggressors, as they nearly always are, the world looks the other way.
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