June 2014 Kaduna and Abuja attacks
Between 23 and 25 June 2014, a series of attacks occurred in central Nigeria. On 23–24 June, gunmen attacked a number of villages in Kaduna State, killing around 150 people. The attack was blamed on Fulani tribesmen. On 25 June 2014, a bomb exploded at the Emab Plaza in the national capital of Abuja, killing at least 21 people. In response to the bombing, the Nigerian military raided two militants camps on 26 June, killing more than 100 people. Background Over 20,000 people have been killed in Nigeria between 2009 and 2014 during an Islamist insurgency, led by the militant group Boko Haram. Boko Haram opposes the Westernization of Nigeria, which they believe is the root cause of criminal behaviour in the country. The federal government declared a state of emergency in May 2013 in Borno State in its fight against the insurgency. The resulting crackdown, however, has failed to stabilise the country. Boko Haram's attacks have intensified in 2014. In February, the group killed more than 100 Christian men in the villages of Doron Baga and Izghe. Also in February, 59 boys were killed in the Federal Government College attack in Yobe State. By mid-April, Boko Haram had been blamed for nearly 4,000 deaths in 2014. Militants then attacked a school and kidnapped 276 girls, of which 57 escaped, in Chibok. The incident brought international attention on the situation in Nigeria, and Western nations promised to help fight Boko Haram. However, attacks continued. On 20 May, 118 people were killed in a pair of bombings in Jos. The following day, two dozen people were killed in a raid on a village. Vigilante groups have subsequently formed throughout the North, with modest success in repelling attacks. Attacks in Gwoza LGA, Borno State, are difficult to confirm due to poor communications. Additionally, Nigeria has also had attacks by MEND. Kaduna village attacks On 23 June 2014, gunmen attacked the villages of Kabamu and Ankpong in Kaduna State, killing 38 people according to vigilante leader Christopher Chisom. Governor Ramalan Yero confirmed the attack, although reported the villages attacked as Fadan Karshi and Nandu. He said 17 villagers had been killed around 10 pm in Fadan Karshi, with two assailants captured or killed. At 2am, 21 people were killed in Nandu by the same gunmen. "Many" others were injured, although an exact figure was unavailable. The president of the Ninzon Progressive Youths organisation said a threatening letter from the Fulani had warned of the attack earlier in the month. Elsewhere that evening, additional gunmen attacked seven other villages: Dogon-Daji, Gani, Hayin-Kwanta, Kabani, Kabamu, Kobin, and Naidu. According to Chisom, a total of 123 additional people were killed in the overnight raids: 38 in Kobin, 30 in Kabamu, 21 in Dogon-Daji, 16 in Naidu, 9 in Gani, 5 in Hayin Kwanta, and 4 in Kabani. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also reported that at least 100 people had been killed in the attacks. According to reports, two of the attackers were wearing police