A priest in Nigeria has warned that terrorists are “sneaking” into villages after a suspected suicide attack in the north-east of the country resulted in 28 people being killed, including three Christians.
Fr Joseph Fidelis, from Maiduguri Diocese, told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that attacks by extremists had been happening in nearby villages for two weeks before the attack on 16th March in which at least 108 people were also injured.
The explosions were co-ordinated and targeted a hospital, market and post office in the early evening when crowds were finishing the Ramadan fast.
Fr Fidelis said: “On Sunday night they attempted to infiltrate the town, but the military sighted them and there was heavy gunfire and they were repelled.
“But by the 16th a few of their advanced party were already in town planning the attack in the three places.”
He said those responsible for the bombings were members of ISWAP (Islamic State: West Africa Province), a cross-border jihadist group with roots in the state. “They take a guerilla approach to their infiltration. They behave like normal people, getting into cars in normal dress.
“They used improvised devices they probably prepared in the town…In one way we give credit to the police as things would have been a bit lax as people were returning home as it was time to break the Ramadan fast. The terrorists sneak in. Police make the effort but they sneak in through the cracks.”
The first explosion was at the entrance of the teaching hospital, while the second and third followed few minutes later at the popular Monday Market and nearby Post Office business hub, both located about 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) from the hospital.
According to Bishop John Bakeni, it was confirmed that three Christians were killed in the blasts and at least six are in hospital.
Borno police confirmed that the preliminary investigation revealed that the incidents were carried out by “suspected suicide bombers.”
They added that an investigation was under way to establish the identity of the attackers and that “normalcy” had returned to the village.
But Fr Joseph said: “Normalcy hasn’t returned. The post office is usually like a central bus station but people are avoiding it – they have to go through back alleys and they are afraid to go out.
“People are scared for their lives. Even without the government imposing curfew, they are not going out.”
He said attacks in villages including Ngoshe and Pulka had pushed around 3,000 internally displaced people (IDP) into Maiduguri.
The priest added: “This makes it more difficult for security to make checks as they have to stop and search everybody. It’s like guerilla warfare and difficult to control.”
He asked for prayers as churches attempt to provide food, shelter, makeshift toilets and tents to those seeking refuge.
Dr Caroline Hull, ACN UK National Director, said: “I was very distressed to receive this information from Father Fidelis whom I met on my visit to the Diocese of Maiduguri in 2024.
“I also visited Pulka and spoke to many Christian IDPs forced to live in camps because it was unsafe to return to their homes. How disheartening is to learn that the situation has worsened.
“I am asking for prayers to lift the hearts and hopes of all those who are suffering due to the violence in Borno State.”