Borno: Group presents evidence of Boko Haram attacks on all religious faiths in Gwoza

By Hamza Suleiman

Contrary to the claim of targeting members of a particular religion, a group has said that the Boko Haram insurgents had in past 15 years caused deaths and destruction of public and private properties in various Christian and Muslim communities in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State irrespective of the victims’ faith.

The group made up of Christian and Muslim youth group said this while speaking under the aegis of Gwoza Youth Forum on Sunday.

The group therefore described reports of a Christian genocide in the area as false and misleading at the press conference addressed by Bulama Haruna, its National Chairman, at a news conference in Maiduguri.

He listed Agapalawa, Amuda, Jubrili, Zamga, Angurva, Pulka, Bokko, Aiga, Dughufaka, Chikide, Barawa, Paigi, Kirawa, Ashagashiya, and Ngoshe, among the communities affected by terrorist attacks in the area.

According to the group, the killing of respected leaders, including the former Emir of Gwoza, the Chief Imam, and several District Heads and Educators, demonstrate that Boko Haram targeted all religious faiths.

Haruna noted that Boko Haram insurgents destroyed 134 Eid grounds, 356 Juma’a Mosques, 3,044 other regular Mosques, 97 Churches, Homes, Schools, Hospitals, including Gwoza General Hospital and 24 other Primary Health Care Centres.

Others places affected by the destructions were local markets in Barawa, Kirawa, Pulka, Izge, and Warabe communities, he said.

“Over 107 Primary and Universal Basic Education Schools and 15 Secondary Schools were also burned.

“Police facilities, including the Divisional Headquarters and more than 13 Police Out Posts, were razed,” Haruna said.

The chairman said that “Christian genocide” distorts facts, undermines reconciliation, and threatens fragile interfaith peace.

“Such narratives risk creating new divisions, misleading public perception, and eroding the trust built over years of dialogue.”

He appealed to all stakeholders in the area to exercise responsibility, objectivity and sensitivity in making public statement.

(NAN)