Suspected Boko Haram militants have abducted more than 60 women and girls, some as young as three, in the latest kidnappings in northeast Nigeria, more than two months since more than 200 schoolgirls were seized.
Analysts said the kidnapping, which happened during a raid late on Monday on Kummabza Village in the Damboa District of Borno State, could be an attempt by the Islamist group to refocus attention on its demands for the release of its jailed militant fighters.
Boko Haram has indicated that it would be willing to release the 219 schoolgirls it has held hostage since April 14 in exchange for the freedom of its brothers in arms currently being held in Nigerian jails.
Photo: Reuters
Abuja initially refused to sanction any deal, but efforts have since been made to open talks with the group, with a possible prisoner swap part of discussions.
The Nigerian military said in a tweet late on Monday that it could not confirm the latest abductions, and spokesmen were not immediately available for comment when contacted by reporters on Tuesday.
Borno Senator Ali Ndume confirmed the latest abductions, and said Boko Haram “took advantage” of people returning to the area to check on their farms during flooding when there was no military presence in the area.
“Boko Haram selected young males and females” as hostages and “left the elderly,” he said, amid local media reports that about 30 young boys may have also been taken.
“Over 60 women were hijacked and forcefully taken away by the terrorists,” a senior officer in the Damboa local government said.
“The village was also destroyed,” he said, adding that “among those abducted are children between the ages of three and 12.”
“Over 60 women were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists,” said Aji Khalil, a local vigilante leader.
“Four villagers who tried to escape were shot dead on the spot,” he added.
Damboa local government officials said they were afraid to speak out because of the controversy surrounding the Chibok abductions in April, with Nigeria’s government coming under heavy criticism for its slow response.
News of the abductions came as locals in three villages of the Askira Uba District, about 60km to the south, said they had been attacked over the weekend.
Resident Emos Ali said “many” people had died, although no official toll was available.
STILL DANGEROUS: The typhoon was expected to weaken, but it would still maintain its structure, with high winds and heavy rain, the weather agency said One person had died amid heavy winds and rain brought by Typhoon Krathon, while 70 were injured and two people were unaccounted for, the Central Emergency Operation Center said yesterday, while work and classes have been canceled nationwide today for the second day. The Hualien County Fire Department said that a man in his 70s had fallen to his death at about 11am on Tuesday while trimming a tree at his home in Shoufeng Township (壽豐). Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Fire Department received a report of a person falling into the sea at about 1pm on Tuesday, but had to suspend search-and-rescue
RULES BROKEN: The MAC warned Chinese not to say anything that would be harmful to the autonomous status of Taiwan or undermine its sovereignty A Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents has been deported, the National Immigration Agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon. A Chinese man, surnamed Yao (姚), and his wife were escorted by immigration officials to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they boarded a flight to China before noon yesterday, the agency said. The agency said that it had annulled the couple’s entry permits, citing alleged contraventions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法). The couple applied to visit a family member in
CELEBRATION: The PRC turned 75 on Oct. 1, but the Republic of China is older. The PRC could never be the homeland of the people of the ROC, Lai said The People’s Republic of China (PRC) could not be the “motherland” of the people of the Republic of China (ROC), President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks in a speech at a Double Ten National Day gala in Taipei, which is part of National Day celebrations that are to culminate in a fireworks display in Yunlin County on Thursday night next week. Lai wished the country a happy birthday and called on attendees to enjoy the performances and activities while keeping in mind that the ROC is a sovereign and independent nation. He appealed for everyone to always love their
‘EXTREME PRESSURE’: Beijing’s goal is to ‘force Taiwan to make mistakes,’ Admiral Tang Hua said, adding that mishaps could serve as ‘excuses’ for launching a blockade China’s authoritarian expansionism threatens not only Taiwan, but the rules-based international order, the navy said yesterday, after its top commander said in an interview that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could blockade the nation at will. The object of Beijing’s expansionist activities is not limited to Taiwan and its use of pressure is not confined to specific political groups or people, the navy said in a statement. China utilizes a mixture of cognitive warfare and “gray zone” military activities to pressure Taiwan, the navy said, adding that PLA sea and air forces are compressing the nation’s defensive depth. The navy continues to
RSS