Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Boko Haram Killed 2,053 Civilians in Past 6 Mos.; Islamist Militant Group Kidnapped 200 Schoolgirls

The Islamist militant group Boko Haram -- whose major mission is to impose sharia (Islamic law) on Nigeria -- has killed at least 2,053 civilians in over 95 attacks during the first half of 2014, an analysis by Human Rights Watch reported today (July 16, 2014), according to the Christian Post website.

The militants -- who also kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in April -- have waged a war on the Nigerian government and the country's Christians for nearly five years.

"Boko Haram is effectively waging war on the people of northeastern Nigeria at a staggering human cost," said Corinne Dufka, West Africa director of Human Rights Watch. "Atrocities committed as part of a widespread attack on civilians are crimes against humanity, for which those responsible need to be held to account."

The watchdog group detailed a number of the attacks that have occurred in Nigeria since January, and noted that its figures are based on analysis of media reports as well as field investigations. Many of the most deadly attacks took place in Borno State -- the birthplace of Boko Haram -- where 1,446 people were killed.

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