Boko Haram attack: Satellite images reveal scale of devastation to thousands of homes

Satellite images have revealed for the first time the “horrific scale” of an attack by Boko Haram militants, which left many hundreds dead and sent up to 20,000 people fleeing across Lake Chad.

The satellite images were taken before and after the killing spree, which took place between January 3 and 7.

The thousands of destroyed properties are highlighted in red on the images.

Daniel Eyre, an Amnesty researcher, said: “These detailed images show devastation of catastrophic proportions in two towns, one of which was almost wiped off the map in the space of four days.

“It represents a deliberate attack on civilians whose homes, clinics and schools are now burnt out ruins.”

There have been several attacks in the country over the past week by suspected child suicide bombers linked to the terrorists.

Amnesty International described the attacks on Baga and Doron Baga, neighbouring towns in the far north-east of Nigeria, as the “deadliest massacre” in the history of Boko Haram.

Around 620 structures were destroyed in Baga, with more than 3,100 in Doron Baga.

Many wooden fishing boats that dotted the shoreline on images taken on January 2 are no longer present in the photos taken five days later.

Amnesty said Boko Haram militants have repeatedly targeted communities linked to helping security forces in Nigeria.

And it is believed 11 per cent of Baga and 57 per cent of Doron Baga was destroyed, most likely by arson, attributing the greater damage to Doron Baga because it houses a military base.

Most of the victims were children, women and elderly people who could not run fast enough when insurgents drove into Baga.

The attacks come before presidential and parliamentary elections in Nigeria next month and an upsurge in violence apparently designed to undermine the legitimacy of the vote.

Agencies/Canadajournal