Following an attack on Dabna village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, a fearful analysis of the security situation has thrown Christians into an emotional overdrive over the negligence of government that is making Nigerians of their faith the target of terrorists.
The security analysis comes as other observers noted that the killing of Boko Haram factional leader, Abu Shekau, has paved the way for mainstream Islamic State for the West African Province (ISWAP), targeting those they consider unbelievers.
“We are going to be seeing more attacks on those they define as unbelivers and their communities and property, like schools and other institutions. If they align with the bandits, as is being speculated, in this venture of violence, the result is better imagined. This crop of ISWAP terrorists are more inclined towards attacking Christians and others, rather than people of their faith, except those of their faith directly betray them,” a knowledgeable source disclosed.
A security report, suspected to be of a federal or international agency, making the rounds on social media in the last three days reads in full:
At the time and place mentioned above, Organised Armed Group (OAG) operatives aboard several Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)-mounted light trucks shot and killed at least 14 civilians and set two churches on fire. They also looted foodstuff and valuables before withdrawing.
Reportedly, the operatives actively searched for Christian residents during the attack. On 8 July, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed the incident via Amaq as an attack against the Christian community.
The title incident marks the first ISWAP-perpetrated attack in Dabna and the second in the entire Hong LGA since April 2021. This followed a prolonged lull in OAG attacks in the area since 2018. There was a very similar attack recorded in Hong LGA on April 9, 2021, in Kopre, during which ISWAP operatives raided residences belonging to Christians, shot and killed 10 civilians and abducted three others. They also set on fire churches, private residences and public facilities.
The attack is consistent with a well-established trend of ISWAP attacks targeting Christian communities and churches.
This trend can be traced back to 14 April 2019, when ISWAP burned down houses in the predominantly Christian village of Korogilum.
The group later claimed via an-Naba’ this attack as revenge for the alleged crimes committed against Muslims in Plateau state.
This trend later intensified during the Islamic State (IS)’ global campaign between 21 and 26 December 2019 to avenge the killing of the former IS leader, Abubakar al-Baghdadi with different attacks against Christian villages across southern Borno, in Chibok, Askira/Uba and Biu LGAs.
From September 2019 onwards, ISWAP operatives started checking identification papers at informal vehicle checkpoints, specifically looking for Christians and Government Forces (GF) members.
These attacks are typically taking place in southern Borno, where Christian villages are predominant in some areas, from ISWAP’s stronghold in the Alagarno forest.
The first ISWAP attack against a Christian community in Adamawa state took place in Garkida, Gombi LGA, on 21 February 2020. More recently, three similar attacks between February and November 2020 in Chibok LGA were registered.
Additionally, other attacks occurred on 18 February 2021, in Korogilum, on 1 November 2020, in Takulashi and on 16 November, in Nchiha Yusuf.
During those instances, ISWAP deliberately killed Christian civilians and targeted Christian worship venues by setting a number of them ablaze. In addition to attacking villages, ISWAP operatives also have constantly targeted Christian civilians along the roads during Vehicle Checkpoints (VCPs) events, as in several instances they identified Christian profiles, subsequently abducted them.
The attack, the first of its kind since ISWAP’s change in leadership, highlights that the new leadership has not changed its policy towards Christian villages. Given the proximity of southern Borno and northern Adamawa to ISWAP’s newly consolidated territory in the Sambisa Forest and the freedom of movement that the group is currently enjoying in the general area, there is a high probability that ISWAP will upscale its campaign against Christian villages.
Recall that Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, strongly condemned the unprovoked and unwarranted attack in Dabna and other surrounding villages.
In a statement by his spokesman, Willie Bassey, Mustapha, called on residents of Dabna to remain calm and be vigilant while security operatives are doing their best to provide security in the area.
Dabna lies close to Garaha, the village where Mustapha hails from, and not far from Kwapre, the scene of a recent Boko Haram attack in the same Hong LGA.
Mustapha noted that Dabna people are peace-loving with peasant farmers and other artisans live through farm work and would not warrant any attack by mindless and godless persons.