An area resident who witnessed the attack identified the militants as affiliates of the terror group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Chibok county has suffered from many terrorist attacks over the past several years. It is a majority-Christian area, which makes its residents highly vulnerable to violence motivated by Islamic extremism.  

The resident went on to say that the ISWAP militants attacked at 2:30 AM and were armed with high-powered weapons. They surrounded the village and shot at the Christians who tried to flee. According to the resident,

“The ISWAP terrorists also set fire to six houses and looted five shops belonging to Christians in the village, and afterwards burned down the shops.”  

In the northeastern parts of Nigeria, ISWAP, alongside Boko Haram, has killed thousands of Nigerian citizens. The abduction of young Christian women and girls to become brides for the militants is commonplace. Millions have been forced to flee their homes due to the violence. According to a report released in January of this year by the Chibok Area Development Association, at least 407 Christians have been killed in 72 attacks since 2012 by either Boko Haram or ISWAP rebels. 

As ICC reported earlier this year, the Nigerian government continues denying religious motivation behind these attacks. However, evidence repeatedly shows that Islamic extremist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP seek to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria.