AFRICA/NIGERIA - At least 16 suspected members of Boko Haram killed in a security operation

Maiduguri (Agenzia Fides) - At least 16 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were killed in a major operation conducted by the army in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. After having surrounded the neighborhood of Lawan Bukar, the army raided one or more hideouts of the sect. Boko Haram is responsible for several bombings against military and political institutions and places of Christian worship. On 3 June in Bauchi 12 people died in attacks to some Christian churches.
The Nigerian Bishops during the National Catholic Prayer Pilgrimage for Nigeria in Abuja, invited the faithful to prayer and respect for evangelical values to counter the violence, but appeal to the government to do everything possible to block the actions of terrorists. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 06/06/2012)