Militant militants kidnap at least 200 women and children in Nigeria

The United Nations office in Nigeria announced that at least 200 people, most of them displaced women and children, were kidnapped by extremist armed groups while searching for firewood near the border with Chad.

The United Nations said, "The victims left several camps for displaced people in search of firewood in the Gamboru Ngala Council area of ​​Borno State when they were ambushed and taken hostage, in the latest attack in the conflict-affected area."

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria explained in a statement regarding the attacks that occurred several days ago, the details of which have only now emerged due to the difficulty of accessing information in the region, that “the exact number of those kidnapped is still unknown, but it is estimated at more than 200 people.”

He added: "Although an unspecified number of older women and children under the age of ten have been released, dozens are still missing, according to protection partners."

The UN coordinator said that the latest attack is a "stark reminder" that women and girls are the most affected by the conflict, and called for the immediate release of the victims. "These acts of violence against already traumatized citizens offend our common humanity," he said.

Local residents blamed the attack on militant armed groups that launched a rebellion in Borno in 2009.

At least 35,000 people were killed, and more than two million others were displaced, due to violence carried out by the Boko Haram group and a splinter faction linked to the terrorist organization ISIS.

It is noteworthy that Nigeria has witnessed continuous violence in recent years, especially in the northeastern and central states of the country.