Nigerian Journalist killed in Weekend Terrorist Attacks in Nigeria

Nigerian Journalist killed in Weekend Terrorist Attacks in Nigeria

Enenche Okogwu, a reporter with Channels TV was among over 180 people killed in the latest Boko Haram terrorist attacks last weekend in Kano, Nigeria’s second largest state in the predominantly Islamic northern region. He was on official assignment at the time of the most devastating Boko Haram onslaught since the horrifying Christmas Day attacks in the northern states of Niger, Plateau and Borno where dozens of people were killed and several others left with injuries in suicide bombings targeting the St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State and other churches.

The serial attacks in Kano destroyed the Zone 1 headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, a police post, a passport office of the Nigerian Immigrations and the overcrowded farm centre and Bompai axis of the busy metropolis. The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero wept as President Goodluck Jonathan came to commiserate with him over the harrowing incident after the Muslims Jumat prayers.


One of the scenes of the Kano bombings.

On Sunday the spokesman of Boko Haram, Abul Qaqa gave reasons why the sect went on rampage in Kano in a telephone interview with Nigerian journalists in Maiduguri.

"The message here is that everybody knows that a lot of our people were killed in Kano State, especially in Wudil town. We had perfected plans to take revenge but some notable scholars intervened by pleading with us.
"They also assured that our members would never be persecuted again and we took them by their words. Unfortunately, however, about five months ago, security agencies began trailing and arresting our members who are carrying out their legitimate businesses, alleging that they are all thieves and armed robbers.
"Again, we perfected plans to attack the city of Kano but the scholars pleaded that we should not. They advised that we should write a formal letter of complaint to some notable people. We agreed and sent letters to the Emir of Kano, Wamban Kano, Dan Masanin Kano and the governor of Kano State.
"We also posted the open letter on the internet, but nothing was done to stop the persecution of our members.
"Recently, security agencies launched a fresh onslaught on some of our members in Kano city in which even women and children were not spared. Many houses were raided and a pregnant woman was manhandled.
"Some of our members were tortured with electric shock. All these things happened in Kano, a city that we hold in high esteem.
"We have varied opinions about Kano, including the option of launching endless campaign of violence, but the scholars that have been talking to us are still persuading us to tarry a while.
"We are compelled to write this open letter so that the world will know what is happening.

There were other attacks reported in the northern state of Bauchi with about ten people killed

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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