KONDUGA, Nigeria - Hundreds of Islamic extremists posing as soldiers attacked a northeast Nigerian town for hours, killing 39 people and razing a mosque and more than 1,000 homes, survivors said Wednesday.
In the ruins of the burned-out mosque, bodies covered in cloth lay ready for burial Wednesday, including three small shrouds covering children who did not look more than 10 years old.
"Why us? Why us?" one woman wailed, trying to understand why militants set on creating an Islamic state in Nigeria would attack a town of mainly Muslim farmers.
Numerous villages in the area have been attacked and hundreds have been killed in recent months despite a 9-month-long military state of emergency to halt the uprising in three northeastern states covering one-sixth of Africa's biggest oil producer and most populous nation divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians. Thousands have been made homeless and thousands more have fled to other parts of Nigeria and to neighbouring states.
Farmers described Tuesday night's attack to visiting Borno state Gov. Kashim Shettima. They told the governor that about 400 attackers in military camouflage drove in from all directions in apparently stolen army trucks led by an armoured personnel carrier. They called people to them, then opened fire, the survivors said.
The few soldiers and police stationed in the town fled, outnumbered and outgunned, they said.
The extremists arrived at 6 p.m. and went from house to house, using homemade bombs to set them ablaze, and Shettima said about 70 per cent of the town was destroyed.
The attackers only fled around 10 p.m. when a military aircraft strafed them into flight, survivors said.
Angry residents asked the governor why it took hours for the military to respond.
The attack occurred at Konduga, an agrarian centre of about 10,000 farmers that is just 35 kilometres (22 miles) and 30 minutes' drive from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri. The city is the headquarters for the military offensive and includes an air force base with bombers.
Shettima told reporters who accompanied him on the trip that the extremists, called Boko Haram, "are better armed and better motivated" than the Nigerian military. He said the soldiers were doing their best but were not as well-equipped.
Shettima told residents he would remain with them until promised food, clothing and other emergency supplies arrived later Wednesday. AP
Posted: at 12-02-2014 05:25 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
hismahill at 12-02-2014 08:40 PM (10 years ago) (m)
Am confused o!
Posted: at 12-02-2014 08:40 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
Political war is disguiz. b4, boko haram were killing christains and bombin churches. but now, they killed christains, killed muslim, and bumb churches and musque. why ? political war in disguise, scaterin north ahead of 2015. naija, open your eyes.
Posted: at 12-02-2014 09:14 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
esmaeel4u07 at 12-02-2014 09:57 PM (10 years ago) (m)
Pls stp believing dt Boko Haram are muslim.they are nt muslim in any way,cos Islam did nt teach us to take any life unjustly. They are Kafiri(unbeliever) destroying property and life by using Islam to cover up,jst to put DENT on d religion.
Posted: at 12-02-2014 09:57 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
odprince at 12-02-2014 10:12 PM (10 years ago) (m)
NORTHERN LEADERS WHO BRING UP THE BOKO HARAMS ARE TO BLAME,MUSLIMS KILL ANYHOW,SEE PAKISTAN AND OTHER ISLAMIC COUNTRIES IN MIDDLE EAST.....NOW BUHARI AND EL RUFAI THEM WHO BRING BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA TO DESTROY,HOW MANY OF YOUR CHILDREN'S HAVE BEEN KILLED?MUSLIM IS NOT A RELIGION,THEY ARE JUST USING THE OPPOSITE WORD OF PEACE,MUSLIM IS RELIGION OF KILLING.........PLEASE NIGERIANS,LET US GIVE THEM THERE ISLAMIC STATE..DIVIDE NIGERIA BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ONE SINCE 1960..HAUSA'S HAVE BEEN KILLING PEOPLE MERCILESSLY
Posted: at 12-02-2014 10:12 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Any tree that bears fruit has something that supplies it water and If the source of supplier of that tree is not blocked and cut down, the tree will still stand therefore, People MUST easily understood that Boko Haram are not alone, their source of supply is not ordinary, those who are solidly behind them are Muslim oligarchies in Northern Nigeria. believe it or you hit your head on d wall this is absolutely truth. If the Federal government remains reluctant, honestly they have a hand in it and are one of their sponsors period. One of the survivors said and I quote her; Angry residents asked the Governor why it took hours for the military to respond. This is a State where Boko Haram operate as they want then, why is the military and security forces not every ready for them?
Posted: at 13-02-2014 01:17 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
NORTHERN LEADERS WHO BRING UP THE BOKO HARAMS ARE TO BLAME,MUSLIMS KILL ANYHOW,SEE PAKISTAN AND OTHER ISLAMIC COUNTRIES IN MIDDLE EAST.....NOW BUHARI AND EL RUFAI THEM WHO BRING BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA TO DESTROY,HOW MANY OF YOUR CHILDREN'S HAVE BEEN KILLED?MUSLIM IS NOT A RELIGION,THEY ARE JUST USING THE OPPOSITE WORD OF PEACE,MUSLIM IS RELIGION OF KILLING.........PLEASE NIGERIANS,LET US GIVE THEM THERE ISLAMIC STATE..DIVIDE NIGERIA BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ONE SINCE 1960..HAUSA'S HAVE BEEN KILLING PEOPLE MERCILESSLY
IF MUSLIM IS NOT A RELIGION THEN WHAT IS RELIGION CHRISTIANITY OR BUDISH ?
Posted: at 13-02-2014 02:00 AM (10 years ago) | Newbie
hismahill
IDOKOO
cocoeni
Rayobi
beejaybabs
odprince
elmatado
zoe61
osamabinladin
EmekaBlue
Machealex
Yusraf
TRENDING GISTS 
BREAKING: Tragedy As 4 Year Old Boy Dies In Abuja School Amid Suspicion Of Foul Play
Veteran Journalist, Ray Ekpu Loses Wife To Cold Hands Of Death
VIDEO: Davido Lists Artistes He Loves To Collaborate With