Terrorism Strikes Nigeria as Insurgents Kidnap Residents in Northeastern Nigeria
This week, 50 people—mostly women—were kidnapped by suspected Islamist terrorists in northeastern Nigeria, according to reports from local authorities and a resident.
Over the past ten years, there has been a great deal of bloodshed and displacement in Borno state as a result of the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members, who have been attacking both civilians and security forces.
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On Monday, a large number of people were abducted in the isolated Gamboru region close to the borders of Cameroon and Chad. A civilian working with the military to support counterinsurgency efforts as a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force revealed that more than fifty individuals from an internally displaced persons camp went out to collect firewood near Lake Chad, which is known to be ISWAP area.
The victims were ambushed by armed assailants and forcibly led through bushy paths into Chad. Three of the kidnapped women managed to escape, according to the official source. The Nigerian Army has not provided a statement regarding the incident.
Falmata Bukar, one of the escaped women, recounted being surrounded by gunmen who directed them into the bush. She and two others successfully fled on Tuesday. Barkindo Saidu, the head of Borno's emergency agency, is a route to assess the situation but has refrained from confirming the missing status of the abducted individuals.
Reports from officials indicate that more than 280 school pupils were abducted in the north-western town of Kuriga by gunmen. The incident occurred while the students were gathered in the assembly ground at around 08:30 (07:30 GMT), with dozens of armed individuals on motorcycles storming the school premises, according to a witness.
The abducted students, aged between eight and 15, were taken away alongside a teacher. Kidnap groups, referred to as bandits, have been responsible for numerous abductions in the north-west region in recent years. Despite a decrease in mass child abductions over the past year, this week's incident has reignited concerns.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, which encompasses Kuriga, confirmed the abduction of 187 students from a secondary school and 125 from a local primary school, with 25 students having returned since. A witness reported that one girl was shot during the attack and is currently receiving medical care at Birnin Gwari hospital.
Efforts by local residents to rescue the children were met with resistance from the gunmen, resulting in casualties. The armed forces have initiated an operation to locate the abducted victims, with the governor pledging that no child will be left behind.
The recent kidnapping follows a similar pattern of violence in the region, with bandits targeting schools and communities. The prevalence of such criminal activities has prompted legislative measures to combat ransom payments, although enforcement remains a challenge.
The abduction of the Nigerian school pupils underscores the ongoing security challenges facing the country, with various armed groups operating in different regions. The incident in Kuriga highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address insecurity and protect vulnerable populations.
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