SAN FRANCISCO, August 01, (THEWILL) – Boko Haram gunmen Wednesday night struck in Kwajaffa, Tashan Alade and other surrounding communities in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, bombing no fewer than five Churches in an apparent targeted attacks..
Hawul Local Government Area, which is situated in the southern part of the troubled state and is predominantly Christian, shares borders with Garkida town in neighbouring Adamawa State.
In an earlier attack on Garkinda last Sunday, the Boko Haram gunmen killed two soldiers and three civilians while a police station was also set ablaze.
Local sources blamed the frequent terror attacks in the area to the alleged setting up of Boko Haram camps around Zhur, Pelachiroma and Kwajaffa hills and valleys.
A member of the local vigilante group in the area, Hassan Ibrahim, disclosed to THEWILL that the gunmen stormed the affected communities Wednesday night, targeting only the churches which they attacked with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs.
Ibrahim said the gunmen also threatened to attack the Hawul Local Government Headquarters on their next visit.
Though he said no live was lost in the attacks, he lamented that the terrorists operated freely without any confrontation from either the residents or security operatives.
Confirming the burning of the Churches, the Caretaker Chairman of Hawul Local Government Area, Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwi, said the gunmen also threatened that “the Council Secretariat will be their next target.”
Malgwi expressed concern that the Boko Haram gunmen have now shifted their terror attacks to Hawul as he called on the Government and security agencies to immediately deploy troops to protect the lives and property of the people of the area.
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