Boko Haram, reportedly, planned and executed a mass murder in the Northeastern region of Nigeria. The militant Islamic extremist group allegedly claimed the lives of over 200 civilians, even though the Nigerian military had prior knowledge of the planned massacre.
The group dressed as military officials and drove Toyota Hilux pickup trucks (the same vehicles used by the Nigerian military) to gain access to the villages of Danjara, Agapalwa, and Antagara, which are located in the Borno state. The community had received warning of the Boko Haram attack, so they requested reinforcement from the national military. Instead of the real military arriving to the villagers’ defense and to provide safe boundaries, Boko Haram arrived dressed in military garb to easily carry out its mission of murder.
The group reportedly opened fire on civilians and continued shooting until there were no other living people in immediate sight. Frantic members of the community fled the scene and sought shelter.
A year-old state of emergency is in effect for three states, including Borno. This protocol allows suspects to be detained and certain areas to be locked down, but it is not stopping the mass murders. The death toll for the Monday attacks is one of the highest to date. The real Nigerian military has claimed that the lack of proper materials, such as bulletproof vests and sufficient wages, hinders their ability to keep the country safe from insurgents.
[All images: CNN]