AFRICA/NIGER - The day for demonstrations against Boko Haram a village is bombed by mistake on the border with Nigeria; 37 dead

Niamey (Agenzia Fides) – At least 37 dead is the tragic outcome of an aircraft bombing over the Nigerian part of Abadam, a village cut by a river and shared by Nigeria and Niger. According to the authorities of Niamey, an unidentified aircraft dropped a bomb on a funeral procession, perhaps mistaking it for a gathering of the Islamist sect Boko Haram, now active in Nigeria, and Niger and Cameroon.
“Here in Niger people think it was a Nigerian plane which attacked the village” Fides learned from Missionary of Africa, Fr. Mauro Armanino, (SMA), in Niamey. The missionary fears the disaster could heighten tension between Niger and Nigeria. “The Nigerian military are offended after a debate in the Parliament of Niamey authorised Nigerien troops to follow Boko Haram fighters into Nigerian territory. In other words Nigeriens accuse the Nigerian army of incompetency.”.
“If it is confirmed that the aircraft which bombed the funeral gathering in Abadam was Nigerian this impression could be reinforced. On the other hand it would not be the first time that armed forces in Nigeria strike civilians, and thereby end up feeding frustration and anger which certainly works well for Boko Haram”.
“The bombing took place on February 17, the day on which Niger was holding a national anti Boko Haram demonstration (see Fides 16/2/2015), but only yesterday, 18 February, the news broke thanks to French agencies” said Fr. Mauro. “The demonstration had gathered massive crowds, drawn by a political class which has much for which to ask forgiveness and seeks consensus imitating the demonstration in Paris following the January attacks. Christians also played a part when prayers were led by a local Protestant pastor” concludes Fr. Mauro.
Between 16 and 17 January (see Fides 21/1/2015) several Catholic churches and missions were attacked and destroyed by agitators under the pretext of the publication in Europe of blasphemous cartoons against the Islamic religion. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2015)