ISWAP militants attacked the predominantly Christian village of Kilangal in Askira-Uba LGA. The attackers struck shortly after residents were leaving church worship services, killing 12 civilians, injuring three others, and burning down nine houses. The village reportedly faced no military resistance during the assault.
19 Dec 2021 · Kilangal, Askira/ Uba, Borno
Deaths
12
Injured
3
Kidnapped
0
Total casualties
15
Perpetrators
ISWAP
Response
In response to the Kilangal attack, local government officials visited the burial site of the victims and condemned the attack
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Rrepresents ISWAP's continued strategy of targeting Christian communities in Borno State to force religious displacement and assert control. The fact that the village faced no military resistance highlights security gaps in the region
Trajectory
The Kilangal attack, described by a resident as part of "persistent attacks on our villages," reinforces a long-standing pattern of ISWAP targeting Christian communities for religious persecution, illustrating the group's enduring sectarian agenda
Cycle notes
Mirrored earlier insurgent attacks including 30 August 2021 – Rann town assault involving systematic targeting of civilians, infrastructure destruction, and forced displacement, 13 November 2021 – Askira attack involving destruction of civilian infrastructure alongside coordinated assaults on multiple targets, 25 March 2020 – Goneri raid characterized by civilian harm during insurgent occupation attempts, and multiple 2019–2021 rural village attacks across Askira-Uba and surrounding LGAs involving unresisted incursions into soft civilian targets, collectively reflecting a recurring operational pattern in which Islamic State West Africa Province conducts opportunistic raids on lightly defended rural settlements, often during periods of civilian congregation, to inflict casualties, induce displacement, and assert coercive territorial influence.
Pattern
Village raid
Related — Armed Attack
Nine Boko Haram insurgents arrived on motorcycles and attacked farmers working in their fields with machetes. The attackers also carried rifles but did not use them, likely to avoid alerting the military stationed nearby. Residents reported that farmers were preparing their fields for the rainy season after being assured by authorities they could farm this year. Following the attack, a local militia (Civilian JTF) pursued the insurgents to Sojori village, killing four of them, while the rest escaped.
Armed Bandits on motorcycles numbering over 30 invaded Yasore community and opened fire on worshippers who were observing Magrib (evening) prayers inside the mosque . The attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, killed 10 people on the spot and injured 11 others . The gunmen also looted several houses, stealing money, phones, clothes, foodstuff, and other personal items, and rustled domestic animals after setting ablaze scores of houses and food barns
Gunmen believed to be Boko Haram attacked the bush meat section of Damboa market, Borno State, opening fire on local hunters who were selling their catch. At least 18 hunters were killed on the spot. Witnesses reported that the attackers stormed the market in the afternoon and shot indiscriminately. Conflicting accounts suggested the motive: some said the Islamists were angered by hunters selling pork (forbidden in Islam), while others believed it was revenge against hunters forming vigilante groups to resist Boko Haram.