Boko Haram Beheads Six-Year-Old Boy for Christian Faith

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Aug 29, 2014

Boko Haram Beheads Six-Year-Old Boy for Christian Faith

Boko Haram militants have reportedly beheaded a six-year-old boy because he was a Christian. The attack occurred June 1 in Attagara, Gwoza district, an area that is now controlled by the Muslim extremist militants. 

During the attack, Attagara was swarmed by more than 100 Boko Haram members on a rampage to kill residents. Men women and children were attacked with machetes and militants opened fire at the village. 

The six-year-old child was wounded from machete slashes, but survived the initial attack. When a villager found him, Boko Haram militants swiped the boy from the villager’s arms and beheaded the child. The villager, Sawaltha Wandala, was then beaten and left to die. 

Two days later, Boko Haram returned to Attagara for another attack targeting Christians and Shiite Muslims. Christian resident John Yakuba was captured in the attack. 

Militants reportedly said, “We know you’re John. You must convert to Islam or else you will die a painful death.” 

Yakuba responded, “You can kill my body, but not my soul.” 

He was brutally attacked while tied to a tree, but miraculously survived. Yakuba now says he forgives the evil acts of the terrorists. 

According to Voice of the Martyrs, the two attacks on Attagara village killed approximately 200 people. 

Publication date: August 29, 2014



Boko Haram Beheads Six-Year-Old Boy for Christian Faith