Source: www.persecution.org
Date: April 15, 2021
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – The Boko Haram splinter group Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) released a video on Wednesday showing their weekend attack on the town of Damasak, in Nigeria’s Borno state. In the video, a man can be heard yelling ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the greatest) while pointing a large automatic weapon mounted in the back of a pickup truck. Several other men are seen running and shooting while a building has been set ablaze in the background.
A source narrated the incident to Naija news,"The terrorists came into the town in gun trucks. They first embarked on a looting spree. They carted away aid supplies meant for the Internally Displaced Persons before they set fire to the UN hub in the town and three other buildings belonging to other aid organizations."
Insurgents have launched several attacks on Damasak since Saturday, with Reuters reporting that at least eight people have been killed and thousands have fled to neighboring Niger.
Terrorist groups such as ISWAP have killed tens of thousands of Christians in Nigeria and displaced millions in an attempt to discard western influence and impose strict Islamic Sharia law. “ISWAP, which split from the mainstream Boko Haram in 2016, has become a dominant group, focusing on military targets and high-profile attacks, including against aid workers.” Wrote Sahara Reporters, “The Nigerian army has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.”
ISWAP often tries to radicalize those whom they have taken captive. If they are unable to, they may use them as slaves, suicide bombers, or ransom them back to family and friends. Often, those who are taken do not ever return to their homes or families.
HOW TO PRAY: Please pray for the families of those who were killed during the attack in Borno state, and for the safety of Nigerian citizens living amongst extreme violence. Pray that the Nigerian government would be wise in dealing with terrorists and that they will end this insurgency as soon as possible.