Islamic militants abduct more than 300 people in northeastern Nigeria, officials say
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Islamist militants attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria on Friday, kidnapping more than 300 people, including women and children, local officials said.
The attack occurred in the town of Ngoshe in Borno state, according to Bulama Sawa, an official in Gwoza region. He told The Associated Press that the attack was likely in retaliation for a military operation that killed three commanders of the Boko Haram militant group.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack. Nigeria is grappling with a complex security crisis caused by different armed groups. The United States has sent troops to the West African country to help advise its military on combating insecurity.
Separate attacks also took place this week in the communities of Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok between Wednesday and Friday morning, according to a military spokesperson.
Spokesman Uba Sani said troops successfully repelled attacks on Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok, but “a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty”, alongside a senior officer. He did not give details of military losses.
Sani described the assaults as “failed attacks” and “increasing desperation by terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure across the theater.”
Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram and its splinter faction, affiliated with the Islamic State group and known as the Islamic State West Africa Province. There are also the Lakurawa, linked to ISIS, as well as other “bandit” groups specializing in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.
Recently, the crisis has escalated to include other militants from the neighboring Sahel region, notably Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year. Several thousand people have been killed in Nigeria, according to United Nations data. Analysts say the government is not doing enough to protect its citizens.
