- By Mansur Abubakar
- BBC Information, Kano
Dozens of displaced individuals are feared to have been kidnapped by Boko Haram jihadists in north-eastern Nigeria.
The victims have been largely ladies who lived in a camp in Gamboru Ngala city after fleeing their houses due to assaults by the insurgents, locals stated.
The abductions occurred when the group went to gather firewood to prepare dinner or promote, they added.
The United Nations condemned the reported kidnappings and referred to as of for the unconditional launch of abductees.
Mohamed Malick Fall, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, stated that whereas the precise quantity is unknown it’s estimated greater than 200 folks have been kidnapped.
He stated in an announcement on Wednesday that the incident was “a stark reminder that girls and women are amongst these most affected” by the Islamist insurgency in north-east Nigeria.
Whereas sympathising with the households of the victims, Mr Fall urged authorities to supply extra livelihood alternatives for displaced individuals in camps to cut back the dangers they face.
The most important mass abduction by Boko Haram occurred when greater than 270 schoolgirls have been seized from their dormitory in Chibok city, additionally in north-eastern Borno state, in 2014.
The most recent abductions occurred a number of days in the past, however particulars are solely rising now as a result of Gamboru Ngala is in a distant space, on the shores of Lake Chad, the place the jihadists have destroyed cell phone masts and different telecommunication infrastructure. Native residents typically cross to neighbouring Cameroon to make cellphone calls.
Borno state authorities advised the BBC {that a} response staff had been deployed to the realm the place the folks have been seized however didn’t give any additional particulars. The highway resulting in the city has been closed.
The kidnappings come at a time when Borno’s state authorities has stated that 95% of Boko Haram fighters are both lifeless or have surrendered.
Neither it nor the federal authorities has commented on the newest abductions, however the chairman of the native authorities within the space, Umar Mohammed, confirmed the kidnappings, with out giving a quantity.
One Gamboru Ngala resident advised the BBC that 113 folks had been taken away by Boko Haram fighters.
“It was on Sunday that we received data that over 200 displaced folks went to get firewood however sadly Boko Haram kidnapped them, permitting solely the very younger and really previous to return,” stated the resident, who requested to not be recognized for worry of reprisals.
An anti-jihadist militia chief within the space, Shehu Mada, blamed the abductions on an offshoot of Boko Haram generally known as the Islamic State of West Africa Province (Iswap), AFP information company stories.
He stated a headcount confirmed that 47 ladies had been captured, whereas others managed to flee.
The insurgency in northern Nigeria has been raging since 2009, killing greater than 40,000 folks and forcing two million to flee their houses.
Further reporting by Chris Ewokor
