Boko Haram in Nigeria: Why it's time to pay attention

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Boko Haram fighters seized a military base in Baga, Nigeria, on Jan. 3. The Islamic extremist group then swept through the surrounding area in the following days, killing hundreds of civilians.
The attack left a trail of destruction in several villages, as militants torched buildings. While there are still no clear numbers on the death toll, anywhere from a few hundred to 2,000 are believed dead in what some are calling the group's deadliest attack to date.

See also: Boko Haram's trail of destruction in Nigeria seen in satellite images

The sheer scale of the most recent attacks captured global attention, but Boko Haram has been carrying out attacks on civilians in northeastern Nigeria for years. For local residents, fear of attack from the ruthless group is nothing new. Read more...
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