Members of the vigilante group said they found 30 corpses from surrounding bushes and Churches in Kwada and Kautikari villages. Search was continuing in the area, they said. Gunmen stormed Kwada and Kautikari early Sunday burning Churches and shooting worshippers.
The Borno State police spokesperson, Gideon Jubrin, said he was informed of the attack, but said he did not have full details as of Sunday afternoon. Mr. Jubrin said he was yet to contact the district police officer in charge of Chibok.
Residents said the gunmen struck first in Kwada, where they shot worshippers and set fire to at least four Churches, including COCCIN church, EYN church and Deeper Life Bible Church. “We have so far recovered more than 30 corpses, but we got more of them from the EYN church where the Boko Haram gunmen first attacked in Kwada,” said a vigilante member, who would not want to be quoted for his safety.
The source said the community did not receive protection from the security forces despite calling for help early. “We are disappointed with the soldiers, when we heard about the attack in Kwada, we raised alarm and informed the soldiers, but instead of going into the town to confront them, they stood from a distance outside the village, under a tree and began to shoot or target. The gunmen finished with Kwada and proceeded to Kautikari, where they attacked people there until 11:30am when they finally left. We cannot say how many people were killed in Kwada yet,” he said.
Kwada is about 10 kilometres from Chibok, where extremist Boko Haram abducted nearly 300 schoolgirls more than two months ago. Kautikari is about seven kilometres from Chibok.
A resident of Kwada, who identified himself as Mallam Yahi, told journalists that armed men attacked worshippers and burned Churches and houses in Kwada, before heading to Kautikari. Several residents fled into the bushes to escape the attack, Mr. Yahi said.
A police officer, who lives in Chibok, confirmed that his brother was killed in the attack. The officer, who asked not to be named as he was not authorized to speak, said he received a telephone call while he was in Church, informing him that his younger brother had been killed in Kwada.
One of the houses destroyed in Kautikari belonged to a special assistant to the Borno State governor, Baba John, a relative of the politician told journalists. Mr. John could not be immediately reached.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although Boko Haram is suspected. Reports from Chibok in May after the abduction of the schoolgirls, said while he was in the troubled town, suspected Boko Haram militants delivered a letter to Kautikari threatening attacks soon. It is not clear whether the group made any demand as they are known to do with such threats.
Reports of Sunday’s attack emerged as the raid was ongoing.
Panic-stricken villagers in Chibok had made distress calls to journalists and security operatives in Maiduguri calling for urgent help.
A text message sent by a resident at about 9:30 a.m. read: “Massive attack on Kautikari now. All security agencies should be notified, and call for divine help now.”
An official of the Department of Security Service confirmed the information to journalists but asked not to be named.
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