Chibok Community Elders Cry Out Over Relentless Attacks, Allege Government Neglect
Elders from the Chibok community, represented by the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), have staged a peaceful protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, demanding urgent federal intervention in response to a new wave of Boko Haram onslaughts. Led by KADA National President Nkeki Mutah, the elders described the situation as a decade of loss and accused the government of leaving their community vulnerable to ethnic targeting.
Decade of Loss and Ongoing Massacres
During the protest on Thursday in Abuja, 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 situation remains dire, with little visible effort to halt these relentless assaults.
Recent Incursions and Casualties
KADA detailed four major recent incursions between March 30 and April 5, 2026. The most lethal attack occurred in Kautikari, the second-largest town in Chibok Local Government Area, where 11 people were killed, including local vigilante group leader Bamto Daka. The association mourned, They were not mere statistics; they were fathers, sons, brothers, and defenders of their community. Among the deceased was Yohanna Peter Yiguda, who was reportedly scheduled to marry just two days after the attack.
Additional incidents included the burning of the EYN LCC Church and several homes in Kauthlama and Kwople, located just 4km from Chibok town. Insurgents were also observed moving in large numbers through Kwihuma as recently as Sunday, April 5. Mutah revealed that an estimated 451 lives have been lost to these attacks since 2012, with specific breakdowns:
- Approximately 432 killed in the Kibaku area from November 2012 to April 2026.
- 11 persons massacred in Kautikari village on March 30, 2026.
- One person killed in Kauthlama village on April 1, 2026.
- 7 persons killed in Meyoledi town, Adamawa State, where some Chibok community members had taken shelter.
Humanitarian Crisis and Appeals
The elders lamented that over half of their villages have been wiped out, leaving residents unable to access farmlands and facing a looming famine. They issued a five-point appeal to the government:
- Establish a permanent military presence in strategic border communities such as Gatamwarwa and Kuburmbula.
- Deploy additional troops to enhance security.
- Provide immediate humanitarian assistance.
- Open Chibok to humanitarian organizations to prevent famine among the displaced.
- Offer 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
During the protest, the elders observed a minute of silence and paid tribute to the gallant military personnel and vigilante groups who continue to defend the region despite being outgunned and under-resourced. They emphasized the need for sustained support to address the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in Chibok and surrounding areas.
