Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Nigeria update

Two bombings in the last few days, both by suicide bombers.  The first was last Friday at Azare in Bauchi State (that’s where the Jos/Maiduguri and Kano/Maiduguri main roads meet).  It was State pay day so many people were queing to use the ATM to draw cash when, it’s thought a girl detonated the bomb killing many people.  Then yesterday 10th a suicide bomber joined the students as they paraded at the beginning of the day at  a Compresensive Secondary school Potiskum in Yobe State.  The bomber was dressed in school uniform (according to the BBC) and detonated a bomb he held in a bag.  BBC said 50 were killed, many quite young, and many were seriously injured.

On Sunday it is reported that a group of farmers from several villages in Nasarawa Eggon LGA of Nasarawa State were ambushed by Fulani and other mercenaries killing 32.  Their motor cycles were then stolen.

Mubi city is a ghost town occupied by BH jihadists.  An eye witness said many bodies are still in the road, many wearing army uniform.

Today 11th it is reported that Rim in Riyom LGA in Pleateau was under attack. Injured were already on their way to Vom Hospital.

Someone alerted us to two articles in the New York Times on the BH and the Potiskum bombings and the Vigilantes that have sprung up in Maiduguri especially.  You can see these at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/magazine/inside-the-vigilante-fight-against-boko-haram.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/world/africa/nigeria-suicide-bomber-boko-haram.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A12%22%7D  These do make chilling reading but give a picture of life in these parts of Nigeria familiar to many of us.

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