Hundreds killed by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s Baga town

Boko Haram has attacked a key north-eastern Nigerian town and left hundreds dead in the streets

9 January 2015, 10:22am

1 min read

Boko Haram burn down Baga town and leave hundreds dead

The Boko Haram militant group has reportedly attacked Baga town on Wednesday after overrunning a military base in the area on Saturday.

Practically the entire town has been burned and militants are now attacking nearby areas.

A senior government official of the area, Musa Alhaji Bukar, said that Baga “has been completely burnt down”. Those who fled the area said that they had been unable to bury their dead, which meant that Baga is now a grim sight of burned houses and rotting corpses.

Bukar said; “Boko Haram is now in control of Baga and 16 neighbouring towns.”

Boko Haram launched a military campaign to establish an Islamic state back in 2009. During the last year, it managed to take control of many towns and villages in the northeast of the country.

The conflict has so far displaced at least 1.5 million people, and more than 2,000 people have been killed.