A distress report has come from Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala in Borno State, detailing a large-scale kidnapping of female internally displaced persons (IDPs) by Boko Haram fighters.

 

According to information gathered by Daily Trust from a local source, the terrorist group allegedly abducted 319 women, raising concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas.

 

A security source, who preferred to remain unnamed, confirmed the abduction but noted a disparity in the stated numbers, implying that approximately 113 IDPs were abducted, as opposed to the higher total circulating in reports.

 

According to a source within the Babban Sansani IDP camp, the incident took place last Sunday.

 

The women, who had gone into the bush to gather firewood for both domestic and commercial needs, fell into the clutches of the terrorists.

 

He said, “They were surrounded by the insurgents in Bula Kunte bush in the western part of Ngala town. They freed the old-aged and entered the bush with 319 abled young girls and some young boys.

 

“But, three of the girls who escaped and returned to Ngala said the boys (insurgents) took them to a bush close to Bukar-Mairam village in Chad republic.

 

“They escaped in the dead of night after the insurgents fell asleep, trekking for two days before they arrived in Ngala. Most of the IDP girls abducted were from Babban Sansani camp and the rest from Zulum and Arabic camps.

 

“They went to the bush to fetch firewood for sale because the food we are getting from the camp is not enough to feed us. Life is so difficult here.”

 

Another security source stated that they had constantly cautioned IDPs not to venture to certain sections of the forest for fear of being attacked.

 

He said, “We always warn them to stay within safe areas, but it’s the economic pressure that forces most of them to go. They have no means of livelihood other than cutting off the tree for sale.

 

A small measure of corn flour is sold at N2,200. Where can they get the money to buy? We can’t stop them if we can’t feed them.”