Frustrated Nigerians form vigilante groups in wake of abductions
theGRIO REPORT - As the abduction of nearly 300 Nigerian school girls enters its second month comes news of the formation of vigilante groups and a new terrorist attack Wednesday night that killed at least four Nigerian soldiers.
As the abduction of nearly 300 Nigerian school girls enters its second month, news comes of the formation of vigilante groups and a new terrorist attack Wednesday night that killed at least four Nigerian soldiers.
NBC’s Bill Neely, reporting from the capitol of Abuja, says Nigerian troops appear increasingly frustrated with concerns that the terrorist outfit might be better armed than the local government militias.
Neely says locals in Nigeria’s northern states have been forming vigilante groups to resist Boko Haram gunmen.
In Kalabalge, a village about 250km from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri, residents said they were taking matters into their own hands because the Nigerian military was perceived as not doing enough to stem Boko Haram attacks.
According to reports, on Tuesday morning, after learning about an impending attack by fighters, locals ambushed two trucks with gunmen. Officials, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said at least 41 fighters were killed in the attack.
Meanwhile, the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls goes into its second month with no resolution in sight. Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, has vowed not to negotiate an exchange of the girls for imprisoned Boko Haram fighters. But there are reports that some type of non-specific dialogue is in progress through intermediaries.
Click here to read more on Nigeria’s missing girls
