Chibok Community Elders Cry Out Over Relentless Boko Haram Attacks
Elders from the Chibok community, represented by the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), have staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, demanding urgent federal intervention in response to a fresh wave of Boko Haram onslaughts. Led by KADA National President Nkeki Mutah, they described the attacks as a "decade of loss" and accused the government of leaving the community vulnerable to ethnic targeting.
Decade of Loss and Ongoing Violence
During the protest, Mutah emphasized that while the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls remains an "open wound" for Chibok, the current reality involves a cycle of weekly massacres. He stated, "Within the last week alone, our community has experienced multiple coordinated attacks. Despite repeated pleas, the security situations remain dire, with little visible effort toward stopping these relentless assaults." The association detailed four major incursions between March 30 and April 5, 2026, highlighting the most lethal in Kautikari, where 11 people were killed, including vigilante leader Bamto Daka.
Human Toll and Community Devastation
KADA mourned the victims, noting they were "not mere statistics; they were fathers, sons, brothers, and defenders of their community." Among the dead was Yohanna Peter Yiguda, who was scheduled to marry just two days after the attack. The community also reported the burning of the EYN LCC Church and several homes in Kauthlama and Kwople, located just 4km from Chibok town. Insurgents were seen moving in large numbers through Kwihuma as recently as April 5.
Mutah revealed that an estimated 451 lives have been lost to these attacks, with 432 killed in the Kibaku area alone from November 2012 to April 2026. Other fatalities include one person in Kauthlama village on April 1, 2026, and seven in Meyoledi town of Adamawa State, where some Chibok residents had sought shelter. The elders lamented that over half of their villages have been wiped out, leaving residents unable to access farmlands and facing displacement.
Five-Point Appeal for Government Action
The elders issued a five-point appeal to the government, including:
- Establishment of a permanent military presence in strategic border communities such as Gatamwarwa and Kuburmbula.
- Deployment of additional troops to enhance security measures.
- Immediate humanitarian assistance to prevent a looming famine among displaced persons.
- Opening Chibok to humanitarian organizations for aid distribution.
- Special protection for the community as an ethnic nationality targeted by Boko Haram.
Mutah pleaded, "Our people have endured unimaginable suffering, fear, displacement, and loss. It is evident that Boko Haram continues to target our people as an ethnic nationality. We therefore plead once again for special protection from authorities at all levels."
Tribute to Defenders and Call for Support
During the protest, KADA observed a minute of silence and paid tribute to the "gallant military personnel and vigilante groups" who defend the region despite being outgunned and under-resourced. They urged the government to bolster these efforts with adequate resources and strategic support to curb the violence and restore safety to the Chibok community.
