Amnesty International, Nigeria, in a statement on Friday 8, 2024, reported that an estimated 400 persons were abducted in Borno State, Nigeria
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Amnesty International revealed in a statement on Friday that over 400 individuals were kidnapped in Borno State. The victims included women and children. This incident has escalated the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. The affected communities, known for their vulnerability to attacks, have struggled with repeated terror incidents.
In a statement on Friday, President Bola Tinubu said, “I have received briefings from security chiefs on the two incidents in Borno and Kaduna, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued. Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered,”
President Tinubu acknowledged the abductions, expressing confidence in the rescue efforts. Despite confirming the incidents, he did not disclose the exact number of victims. Tinubu emphasized his commitment to decisive justice for the abducted citizens.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, in a statement on Tuesday said, “On 29 February, members of a non-state armed group (NSAG) allegedly abducted the IDPs who had reportedly ventured beyond the safety of the trenches surrounding Ngala – from the ISS, Zulum, Kaigama, and Arabic IDP camps – in search of firewood.”
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The Borno abduction was initially reported on Tuesday. It is believed to have taken place on February 29th. Members of a non-state armed group allegedly abducted internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking firewood beyond the safety of their camps. While some victims, particularly older women and children under 10, have reportedly been released, scores of IDPs remain missing.
Governor Babagana Zulum addressed diplomats and humanitarian leaders a week after the incident. He cautioned against circulating unverified figures. Meanwhile, in Kaduna, a separate mass abduction occurred, involving over 280 pupils.
Amnesty International, with a presence in the affected states, reported 400 abductions in Borno and an additional 287 pupils and teachers in Kaduna. The international rights organization criticized the Nigerian government and security agencies for their handling of past abductions. The organisation called for effective investigations and improved security plans for vulnerable areas.
UN Coordinator Mohamed Fall urged the immediate release of captives and emphasized the protection of civilians by international humanitarian laws. As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, the call for swift action and a secure learning environment for children becomes increasingly urgent.