The Federal Government of Nigeria has claimed ignorance of a Boko Haram threat letter allegedly received by members of the chibok community promising further deadly attacks, before the Sunday attack that left 51 people dead.
The Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, denied knowledge of the letter on behalf of the government on Monday while responding to questions on the preventive measures taken by security personnel against the attacks on Kautikari, Kwada and Karagau villages.
The insurgents attacked villages near Chibok in Borno State on Sunday, setting ablaze five churches and killing no fewer than 51.
The attack which witnesses described as lasting for hours saw the terrorists barging into churches during Sunday worship, shooting at worshippers and setting the churches buildings ablaze.
A top official of Chibok Local Government confirmed that the insurgents had sent a letter two weeks ago, to the council area, saying they would attack again. The official said the threat had been reported to the government and the security agencies.
“Everyone in the LGA believes that the sect cannot be pocketed by security men and the letter has further worsened their fear,” the official said.
“Whenever Boko Haram tells you that they are coming, they will never fail to do so. Our fear now is that we don’t know when and how they are going to come but our people are in great fear. We are calling for prayers as well as on government to provide adequate security in Chibok.”
But Omeri though confirming the attacks on the villages claimed that the government was not aware of the reported threat to attack the villages.
“We are not aware of Boko Haram threat letter to the communities,” Omeri said. “Boko Haram came to the villages, but the security agencies mobilised during the attack and repelled it and also killed a number of the insurgents.The insurgents are showing a lot of desperation, which means that they are nearing their end.”