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Home / World

Christmas Eve Nigeria attack: 11 dead after Boko Haram militants target Christians

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25 Dec, 2020 08:48 PM2 mins to read

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Nigerian security forces have been on alert since an increase in activity of Boku Haram terrorists in the country. Photo / Getty Images

Nigerian security forces have been on alert since an increase in activity of Boku Haram terrorists in the country. Photo / Getty Images

Boko Haram jihadists killed at least 11 people, burnt a church and seized a priest on Christmas Eve in Nigeria's restive northeast, local sources claimed today.

AFP and the Daily Mail reported that security agencies had in recent days warned of an increased risk of attack during the holiday season.

Fighters in trucks and motorcycles stormed Pemi, a predominantly Christian village in Borno state on Thursday, shooting "indiscriminately" and setting buildings on fire, said Abwaku Kabu, a militia leader, quoted by AFP and the Mail.

"The terrorists killed seven people, burnt 10 homes and looted food supplies that were meant to be distributed to residents to celebrate Christmas," Kabu said.

"Four more dead bodies have been found in the nearby bushes by search and rescue volunteers," local community leader Ayuba Alamson said on Friday. "This has moved the death toll to 11."

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Heavily-armed security forces have been protecting local communities for more potential attacks. Photo / Getty Images
Heavily-armed security forces have been protecting local communities for more potential attacks. Photo / Getty Images

The number of dead is expected to rise as villagers fled and people are unaccounted for.

The assailants reportedly looted a hospital before setting it ablaze, burnt a church and abducted a priest, according to AFP and the Mail.

The village is 12 miles from Chibok, where Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls six years ago.

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In a separate raid on Thursday, gunmen reportedly attacked another Christian community in Garkida in Adamawa state, looting and torching homes.

#NIGERIA: Five Feared Killed As Boko Haram Attacks Church In Chibok.The incident occurred on Friday when the attackers also burnt down many houses, cars, and motorcycles in the
community.The Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria Church (Church of the Brethren)at Pemi village in Chibok pic.twitter.com/shk6kiae2s

— RED LION MEDIA (@REDLIONMEDIA2) December 25, 2020

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