Borno abduction: Over two million fleeing to garrison towns face kidnapping, killing, says UN

Borno abduction: Over two million fleeing to garrison towns face kidnapping, killing, says UN

More than two million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states have fled to garrison towns in the wake of mounting insecurity in their communities, the United Nations has said.

The UN, which condemned strongly the latest abduction of scores of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women and children in Borno State, said those who fled their communities are still in danger of attack and other forms of dehumanisation

The insurgents kidnapped about 200 people from IDP camps in Ngala, the headquarters of Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area, Borno State, at the border of Cameroon.

In a statement on Wednesday, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Fall, sympathised with the families of the victims.

It stated, “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.”

Fall also stated, “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.”

Fall urged the government to improve living standards at the camp to prevent future attacks.

“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 conflicts. 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.”