12 soldiers were killed yesterday in Northeast Nigeria, during another attack by Boko Haram. Several Dozen others are still missing. This is just another in a recent series of attacks, specifically on Gudumbali in Borno State. Boko Haram has been increasing their attacks on military and governmental targets in what seems to be an attempt to gain back ground. It is believed that these attacks are being conducted by the ISIS backed sect of boko Haram, also known as the Islamic State West African Province(ISWAP).
At a meeting with delegates from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, President Muhammadu buhari of Nigeria, said that this is a must win war and a fight to the finish. This is the first time in the past several years that Buhari has admitted that the war is not over. His constant refrain in months past has been that Boko Haram is technically and tactically defeated. Hopefully, with this new understanding of the situation, and a coalition of forces to fight the menace, Boko Haram may finally be beaten.
If Boko Haram is allowed to regain their strength and seize control of Northeast Nigeria, Christians will bear the brunt of attacks again. During the first eight years of the terrorist groups existence, they killed thousands of Christians, destroyed many churches and forced Christian headquarters from the area. As the fighting has lessened, some of these families have been able to return home. We pray that they are not forced once again to flee into exile.
International Christian Concern, persecution.org
