Boko Haram : Terrorists slaughter wives in Borno

Following the imminent of a fierce battle with troops in Gwoza, Borno state, Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly slaughtered their wives to avoid them being in the hands of other men whom they believe are “unbelievers,” multiple witnesses said.

The insurgents, who fled Bama for Gwoza, the last of the territories under them, quickly slaughtered dozens of Nigerian women, their wives, before the fight.

Five witnesses who recounted the massacres to AFP said the Islamist militants feared they would be killed by advancing soldiers or separated from their wives when they fled the town.

They killed the women to prevent them from subsequently marrying soldiers or other so-called non-believers.

"The terrorists said they will not allow their wives to be married to infidels,"

said Sharifatu Bakura, 39, a mother of three.

Nigeria's military along with forces from neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger have claimed huge victories over the insurgents in recent weeks but defenceless civilians still face serious threats.

Witnesses who were taken under military protection this week to Borno's capital, Maiduguri, said the killing of women began 10 days before Bama was liberated.

The Islamists said

"if they kill their wives, they would remain pious until both of them meet again in heaven, where they would re-unite"

, said Salma Mahmud, another witness.

Nigeria's national security spokesman, Mike Omeri, told AFP he would try to verify the reports while the military could not immediately be reached for comment.

With Boko Haram gunmen facing heavy military pressure across northeast, attacks, including suicide bombings, have persisted.

However, amid the violence, the government still assures voters that March 28 elections will be secure.