AFRICA/NIGERIA - More than 11,000 people fleeing due to the conquest of their city by Boko Haram

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Boko Haram has conquered the town of Gwoza, in Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, causing the flight of more than 11,000 inhabitants. This confirms the alarm launched by the Nigerian Bishops on the change of strategy of the Islamist sect that does not limit itself in carrying out attacks but intends to control areas of the national territory (see Fides 19/08/2014).
Gwoza is located at the border with Cameroon, whose territory is increasingly threatened by the activities of Boko Haram, as demonstrated by the abduction of foreign nationals (including priests and religious nuns) that have occurred in the last year.
According to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs since May 2013 (when the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency in the States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe) to date, more than 650,000 people have been forced to flee the violence of Boko Haram . (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/08/2014)