Christians in Borno Villages Deserve Special Protection from ISWAP - A Thread
ISWAP claimed several attacks in Borno and Yobe states in the maiden edition of its bi-weekly newspaper launched last month. One of the attacks that drew my attention is the one on Askira, the headquarters of Askira/Uba Local Government.
It said it burnt down six churches in the town & abducted three Christians. More worryingly, it stated that it would continue to carry out attacks on the town which it described as “the center of Christianity in Borno State” until it “cleanses it of Christians and Christianity”.
This a clear indication that ISWAP is actively pursuing its publicly declared policy of specifically targeting Christian civilians. The group says it only targets Muslim civilians who collaborate with its enemies by working for govts or INGOs, etc, but targets every Christian.
ISWAP kills Christians by attacking areas they live and hunting them down on the road. They mount checkpoints, stop motorists to fish out Christians, security personnel, civil servants, alleged spies, etc.
Last December, Governor Zulum raised alarm over increasing attacks in Askira and environs and appealed to the army to do more to protect the area. It’s now clear that these attacks are being committed by ISWAP and the purpose is mainly to destroy Christians.
Shekau on his part targets everyone that’s not a member of BH. Make no mistake, BH has by far killed more Muslims than Christians and every Nigerian in the northeast requires protection. But in areas where ISWAP is active, Christians are at higher risk and deserve more security.
ISWAP’s ability to hunt Christians on the road was recently eased by Nigerian Army’s super camp strategy which withdrew soldiers from frontline communities and consolidated them in big camps to stop BH from overrunning them. The army should deploy more troops to Christian...
... communities in areas where ISWAP operates. Furthermore, there’s need secure roads especially highway to stop ISWAP’s road blocks.
