Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Maiduguri, capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, is again at the center of the attacks of Boko Haram, the Islamist sect, that despite having suffered heavy losses on behalf of the army in Nigeria and those of neighboring countries (Chad, Cameroon and Niger), has proven to still be able to hit and to sow death and destruction. On June 2, a suicide bomber blew himself up in the cattle market of the city, killing at least 13 people and several were wounded. During the night, residents in Maiduguri were kept awake by the gunfire and explosions of the clashes between the army and a commando of Boko Haram that wanted to make an incursion into the city.
"Maiduguri - explain local sources to Agenzia Fides - is a highly symbolic target for Boko Haram, especially as the new President, Muhammadu Buhari, has announced plans to transfer the command center of operations against the Islamist sect, so far located in the federal capital, Abuja. The new attacks are also a 'sort of welcome' for the new President, who has made the fight against Boko Haram one of the priorities of his mandate".
By attacking Maiduguri, Boko Haram intends to prove that they are still able to hit, minimizing their losses. According to some interpretations, even the change of the group’s name, "Islamic State of West Africa", announced in a video released yesterday, would be part of a operation to emphasize the threat posed by the Islamist sect. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 03/06/2015)
