Are Nigerian Troops Truly Defeating Boko Haram? New Militant Attack Reported

It appears that Boko Haram, the dangerous militant extremist group killing its way through Nigeria and surrounding countries, is still at large. Recently, the Nigerian government has hinted that Nigerian troops were doing well to defeat Boko Haram. While attempting to make an attack on Boko Haram in Maiduguri, Nigerian troops were forced to stand down because they were completely outnumbered.

The troops recently rescued the over 200 school girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in April of 2014. The girls young girls returned traumatized, many unhealthy, and most of them were pregnant as a result of the rape they encountered while in captivity. Due to the rescue, Nigerian troops have been held to high esteem, but because Boko Haram is so massive and has been rumored to have links to al-Qaida, Nigeria has not defeated the group just yet.

The attack occurred in the suburb called Dala. It was reported that hundreds of Boko Haram men began shooting rocket-propelled grenades, causing distress in the city, which is a new home for refugees who have been trying to escape the extremists. A military source told the Guardian about the attack which he was a part of.

“A rocket launcher from Boko Haram hit a house around the Bulumkutu area and killed five people. Our boys also picked up six corpses in different locations.”

Another witness, Ibrahim Birtus, was at a wedding during the time of the Boko Haram attack.

“I don’t know whether the groom is alive or not because there was confusion after the blasts occurred.”

This attack is followed by the inauguration of Nigeria’s new president, Muhammadu Buhari. During his speech, the president referred to Boko Haram as “a mindless, godless group, who are as far away from Islam as one can think.” In addition, Nigeria’s new president referred to the lack of solution to the Boko Haram problem over the years as “a national shame,” that had brought “darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation” to the country. Buhari stood a a podium and promised Nigeria that there would be change. This change would supposedly come in the form of a stronger military.

“I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.”

It has been reported that the Boko Haram attack in Maiduguri caused the Nigerian military to stand down and resulted in the deaths of 26 people.

[Image via PrimaNews.org]