Up to 60 women have reportedly been kidnapped in Nigeria’s Adamawa State in the restive northeastern region, with locals fingering Boko Haram militants.
“Just as people were celebrating the so-called cease-fire with the militants, gunmen we suspected to be Boko Haram members emerged from Gwoza area and took away at least 40 women from Waga Mangoro and another 20 in a raid on Garta,” Ilyasu Adamu, a resident of the area, told Anadolu Agency Wednesday night.
“Our people were mistaken to return from their hideouts following the cease-fire announcement and the militants have cashed in on that to unleash their terror,” he said.
Adamu said both kidnappings occurred on Saturday, one day after the Nigerian government announced a cease-fire agreement with Boko Haram.
The deal reportedly stipulates the safe return of over 200 schoolgirls abducted by the group over six months ago from the sleepy town of Chibok in Borno state in exchange for detained militants.
Nura Salihu, a resident of Waga Mangoro who now lives in Maiduguri, the provincial capital of Borno, confirmed the kidnapping report.
“Following the taking over of Madagali over two months ago we had relocated discreetly from the insurgents’ rule,” she told AA.
“So when the government boldly announced a ceasefire, many of our people who returned were seized,” Salihu added. “At least 20 of our women were taken.”
Both Waga Mangoro and Garte are in Madagali local government area of Adamawa, one of the three northeastern states under emergency rule since last year.
The Nigerian military has not responded to AA request for comment on the kidnappings report.
The cease-fire agreement has drawn widespread skepticism, particularly after the eruption of fresh hostilities in Borno and Adamawa states.
At least 28 Boko Haram militants have reportedly been killed in fighting with troops in Borno on Sunday night.
Since the cease-fire deal was announced, Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly attacked two communities in Borno, leaving several people dead.
Government sources, however, insist the cease-fire is genuine, stressing that further talks are still underway in Chadian capital Ndjamena.
Nigeria has battled Boko Haram insurgents for the past five years, with thousands killed and millions displaced, mostly from the northeastern region, where the crisis is primarily concentrated.