Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

Residents of three villages in northern Nigeria have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram Islamist fighters, an eyewitness has told the BBC.

About 200 of the militants were killed during the fighting in the Kala-Balge district of Borno state, he said.

The witness said the residents had formed a vigilante group.

The area which came under attack is not far from the site of a market massacre last week in which more than 300 people were killed.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27412057

[okaawhatever]

1. Awesome. Good for them. I hope none of the villagers died, but even if some did it can't be anywhere

near the 300 who died last week or the number who would have died without fighting back.

[heaven05]

2. that's good news

not the fighting, the repelling.

[freshwest]

3. Described to me in another thread to be the work of Special Ops training people in self-defense.

Which I was surprised to hear and have mixed feelings about it, most likely I always will. I can't say I approve wholeheartedly. In this specific case, I think it's warranted.

Boko Harum needs to be shut down, they aren't doing anyone any good. This madness needs to end and free Nigerians from this kind of chaos. Odd for me to come to this place, as I'd prefer no shooting and think respectful dialog would lead to a longer lasting peace.

I hate that some people will not listen to reason and have to be fought back with force of arms. The random terrorizing of a population, killing people every day to steal land, goods and people or to take down a government is wrong.

IIRC there were valid grievances against the government due to the pollution by big oil, but this has metastasized into something that doesn't help that issue, either.

But there appears to be no way to negotiate with these guys. Perhaps this is all they will be able to respect and understand, and it's a long-standing human problem. Sad.

I am glad the villagers were able to repel this attack, as Boko Harum would have killed them. Warlord rule is wrong, IMO.

[seveneyes]

4. Very good news

I was wondering when the citizens would arm themselves against these terrorists. Self defense is never wrong.

[jamzrockz]

12. This sounds very fishy

Nigeria for one has very strict gun control laws and then even if u get pass it. How is that village people can afford guns powerful enough to repel Boko Haram. Something doesn't sound right. Either the army helped or I dont know.

[jtuck004]

5. They did the same thing when the girls were kidnapped, and lost that one.

They were been doing this, just fyi, before the US ever showed up.

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/nigeria-government-knew-planned-boko-haram-kidnapping-failed-act

[hue]

6. Boko Haram has been terrorizing northeastern Nigeria for >10 yrs now.

They use children for soldiers and have murdered, raped, pillaged etc. the entire area so that it has been declared a state of emergency. Some villagers have fought, some have repelled the Islamist terrorists, some have lost.

Shekau wants to "negotiate" to have his "brethren" released. "If you want us to release your girls we kidnapped, those of them that have not accepted Islam, they are now gathered in numbers. And we treat them well the way the prophet would treat well any infidel he seized. They are staying (with us). We will never release them until our brethren are released," (BBC NEWS)

Who would be so fool hearty as to release Shekau's brethren and then expect him to keep his promise and release those poor young Ladies?? Shekau has lied many times and is as brutal as they come. More likely he will declare, after the prisoners are released that since some have converted to Islam they now belong to him and he'll give them out as rewards to his ex-prisoner brethren.

It is ideal and naive to think that an ingrained terrorist and his gang even has the capability to negotiate. And negotiations takes two or more trusted, responsible parties to come to agreement.

There may be SWAT members embedded in some surrounding villages teaching and enabling those brave enough to stand up to the Boko Haram fighters. The SWAT or SEAL groups usually prefer to remain completely anonymous.
The villagers are usually quite poor and need ammunition, training and some organization skills which would increase their confidence in resisting Boko Haram.

Furthermore, if other terrorist groups see that Boko Haram is successful (according to their standards) more children will be kidnapped. This will become an established modus operandi for them.
I trust our top intelligence knows this.

[Sheepshank]

7. Boko Haram is likely to retaliate too

they don't like to have their authority and power squelched. They are big on teaching a lesson, and punishment is a continued MO for non compliance.

While i think it's great the villagers took a stand, I'm sure they realize that their fight for freedom isn't going to be won in one battle. They are very very brave!

[Heywood J]

8. I foresee this ending CAR-style in a few months. (NT)

[ManiacJoe]

10. CAR-style?

[Heywood J]

11. Central African Republic.

Where the next action was mob violence.

[theHandpuppet]

9. They realize their own gov't isn't going to do squat to help them

Good for them!!