Amnesty International has reported that Nigeria’s militant group Boko Haram has killed over 2,000 civilians in Baga.
Boko Haram militants reportedly attacked Baga and surrounding towns on Saturday 3 January.
[contextly_sidebar id=”LTVtryVIKlaz4OIBJowh3Rl3fMP3gRBK”]According to the Amnesty International, “the attack on Baga and surrounding towns, looks as if it could be Boko Haram’s deadliest act.”
Reports indicate that the militant group sprayed bullets as they stormed the town with trucks and armored vehicles and razed the town to the ground.
The Amnesty International has said “this marks a disturbing and bloody escalation of Boko Haram’s ongoing onslaught against the civilian population” while urging Boko Haram “to stop the senseless killing of civilians and called on the Nigerian government to take measures to protect its citizens.”
Background:
Since 2009, Boko Haram has deliberately targeted civilians through raids and bomb attacks with attacks increasing in frequency and severity.
The effects on the civilian population have been devastating with thousands killed and abducted and hundreds of thousands forced to leave their homes.
Evidence gathered by Amnesty International indicates that Boko Haram have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Nigerian government must investigate these violent abuses and ensure that those guilty of committing them are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the fear of Boko Haram as the country prepares for election, has compelled more Nigerians to migrate to Ghana.
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By: Godwin Allotey Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin