The United Nations office in Nigeria has reported that at least 200 individuals, primarily women and displaced children, were kidnapped by extremist armed groups while searching for firewood near the Chad border.
The United Nations stated, “The victims, who had left several displacement camps in search of firewood in the Gomboru Ngala area of Borno State, were ambushed and taken hostage in the latest attack in the conflict-affected region.”
The UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria clarified in a statement regarding the attacks, which took place several days ago but details have only now emerged due to the difficulty of accessing information in the area, that “the exact number of those kidnapped is still unknown but is estimated to be over 200.”
The statement added, “While an unspecified number of older women and children under the age of ten have been released, dozens remain missing, according to protection partners.”
The UN Coordinator mentioned that the latest attack is a “stark reminder” that women and girls are the most affected by conflict and called for the immediate release of the victims, stating, “Such acts of violence against already traumatized citizens offend our shared humanity.”
Local residents have blamed the attack on extremist armed groups that have waged an insurgency in Borno since 2009.
At least 35,000 people have been killed, and more than two million others displaced due to violence perpetrated by the group “Boko Haram” and a splinter faction linked to the ISIS terrorist organization.
Nigeria has been witnessing ongoing violence in recent years, especially in the northeastern and central states of the country.
The rising insecurity in northwest Nigeria, characterized by vicious attacks on local communities and rampant kidnappings by criminal groups, further exacerbates the situation. Initially labeled as banditry, there’s growing evidence that these activities in northwest Nigeria are increasingly connected to active terrorist groups, creating a complex nexus of banditry and terrorism. The region’s porous borders, difficult terrain, and inadequate governance contribute to its vulnerability, allowing terrorist activities to flourish. Additionally, factors such as poverty, climate change, and the overburdened security apparatus further compound the region’s susceptibility to violent attacks.
