Black Christmas: Priest abducted, churches burnt, 11 killed as Boko Haram hoodlums attack Borno community

Boko Haram hoodlums struck on Christmas eve at Pemi, a predominantly Christian community in Borno State.

It was gathered that the terrorists came from nearby Sambisa forest in trucks and motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately.

They set ablaze two churches in the village, killed at least 11 people and abducted a priest.

They also looted food items that were to be distributed to residents to celebrate Christmas.

Also looted by them were medical supplies from a dispensary. The building was similarly set ablaze.

Many residents fled into the bush during the attack. There were fears that the death toll could rise as some people were still unaccounted for.

A resident said the Christmas Eve attack was the second in a year.

”These people have kept attacking us without any cause.

“You could recall that last year the same thing happened.

“They target people when we are cooking and that is when they would come to kill, destroying and stealing all our Christmas foods. It is frustrating,” he lamented.

Top security source confirmed the incidents, but claimed six persons were killed, not eleven.

Pemi is only 20 kilometres from Chibok where the terror sect kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls six years ago.