Abuja’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) blames the abducted Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from various IDP camps in Gamboru Ngala town, one of the least secure parts of the troubled Borno State, for their abduction.
The IDPs, mostly women and children, went missing on February 29 during a routine search for fallen tree branches to use for cooking. The unusual disappearance sparked fears of possible abduction by Islamic extremist rebels.
DHQ’s spokesperson, Major General Edward Buba, yesterday confirmed reports of the abduction. He said 112 persons fell into the hands of the marauding terrorists, refuting local media reports of over 200 people.
Nine of the “missing persons” however returned to the camp on Friday, March 8, according to the head of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Barkindo Mohammed.
Buba said the abducted persons trekked beyond the authorized distance of three to four miles from the camp, making themselves easy victims for attack.
“The standard practice was for troops to be notified prior to any movement of IDPs beyond the permissible distance of five to seven kilometres from their camp,” added the Major General. But he assured that the military and other security forces are determined to rescue the hostages.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
