TheCable

The United Nations (UN) has confirmed the abduction of over 200 people from the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Ngala LGA of Borno.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mohamed Fall, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, said the abductees, comprising women, boys and girls, were kidnapped when they went to fetch firewood.

Fall said the actual number of IDPs abducted is still unknown but it is estimated to be over 200 persons.

He said a number of older women and children under the age of 10 were reportedly released by the terrorists.

“The United Nations strongly condemns the reported abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women, boys and girls, in the Ngala local government area of Borno state,” the statement reads.

“The exact number of people abducted remains unknown but is estimated at over 200 people.

“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.

“While an unspecified number of older women and children under 10 have reportedly been released, scores of IDPs remain unaccounted for, according to protection partners.

“I stand in solidarity with the families of all those abducted, especially children, and their communities and urge those who have abducted them to release them without harm.

“On behalf of the United Nations, I remind all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.

“In addition, I urge authorities and other partners to provide more livelihood opportunities for IDPs in camps in Borno State, alongside ongoing efforts for lasting solutions, to reduce the risks of insecurity and violence faced by IDPs.

“More than two million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states have fled to garrison towns where they have few, if any, livelihood options.

“Those who venture beyond the protective trenches surrounding these towns to forage or farm do so at great peril, with killings, abductions, forced recruitment and sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) rampant.

“Two days to the commemoration of International Women’s Day, this incident is a stark reminder that women and girls are among those most affected by conflict.

“The crisis in the BAY states is disproportionately affecting women, boys and girls. There is a high prevalence of GBV against women and adolescent girls, while boys are targeted for recruitment by NSAGs.”