Vigilantes fight Boko Haram with bows and arrows

Two teenage female suicide bombers blew themselves up in a busy market in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri, Borno state, on Nov. 25, killing at least 30 people. Deutsche Welle reports from neighboring Adamawa state (see map) that traditional hunters in rural areas, armed only with bows and arrows, are organizing patrols to protect their villages against Boko Haram. While one vigilante told DW, "our prayers protect us against their weapons," the report was not clear if the force is made up of Muslims, Christians or both. Said Hilary Matfess, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore: "What's interesting about the rise of these vigilante groups is the fact that they typically don't fall along sectarian lines. It's an almost spontaneous response by local communities to the failure of the police and military to maintain order." (DWCSM, Nov. 25)  

Officials in Cameroon meanwhile say Boko Haram attacks have led to the closure of at least 130 schools near its northern border with Nigeria. Most students have left the area for safer places in the country's interior. Schools are a favorite target of Boko Haram, whose name means Western education is sin. (VOA, Nov. 25)

  1. Nigeria mosque massacre kills 100

    At least 100 were killed in a gun and bomb attack during prayers at one of the Central Mosque in Nigeria's northern city of Kano Nov. 28. The mosque is where the Emir of Kano, usually leads prayers. The emir recently called for people to arm themselves against Boko Haram. No group claimed the attack, but Boko Haram is believed to be behind it. The group has been waging an insurgency in Nigeria since 2009 and has killed more than 2,000 people this year, according to rights groups. (BBC News, CNN)

  2. More terror in Nigeria

    A twin bomb attack killed at least 30 people in a busy market area of the Nigerian city of Jos. The two bombs exploded in quick succession, near the scene of a major bombing in May. Jos has a mixed population of Muslims and Christians, and in recent years Boko Haram militants have attacked churches and mosques there. (BBC News)

  3. Cameroon launches first air-strikes on Boko Haram

    Cameroon carried out its first air-strikes against Boko Haram, after militants overran the Assighasia military base and attacked five villages in Far North province. The military base has reportedly been re-taken. (Al Jazeera, BBC News)