Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly abducted at least 15 girls in a fresh attack in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.
A local vigilante was also killed. The insurgents broke into the town on Thursday night after shooting in different directions, causing the residents to run helter-skelter for safety.
A local vigilante was also killed during the attack, according to Channels Television.
The name of the village is Pemi, the same area where a Pastor, Bulus Yukura, was kidnapped in December 2020.
The insurgents were said to have torched not less than 20 houses, including a branch of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Church.
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Those abducted were picked from houses around the church; the girls are between the ages of 10 to 13, according to villagers.
These attacks have become common in Chibok and environs, with many unreported which security sources attribute to its proximity to the Sambisa forest.
Recall that 276 girls were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014. Since then, a number of them have regained freedom.
At least 57 of the girls escaped the night they were kidnapped while three of them were later found. Twenty-one of the girls were released in October 2016 while another 82 were released on May 6.
The government said the 82 girls were swapped with Boko Haram prisoners. On May 27, 2017, another girl also escaped from the terrorists.
Sambisa has been a known base of the outlawed Boko Haram militia, loyal to the late Shekau.
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Locals say attacks are more frequent during dry seasons as the terrain is more motorable for the insurgents.
“The mud during the rainy season impedes their movement which is why we were able to access our farms. But once the rain stops and everywhere becomes dry these attacks are common. We need help.” A local source told Channels Television via telephone.
In November the Commanding Officer of the 28 Task Force located in Chibok, Brig General Dzarma Zirkushu was killed in an ambush on his way to provide enforcement to troops in distress in the next town.
Pockets of attacks have continued ever since, worsening in recent times in villages on the fringes of the dreaded forest.
