Eight Nigerian returnees who had only just resettled in Doron Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, after spending a decade as refugees in Chad, have been abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.
According to Premium times, local sources said the victims, who were trying to rebuild their lives after years of displacement, were seized on Tuesday while fishing on the outskirts of their community.
“They were just looking for a means to survive, trying to catch fish so they could buy grains for their families,” a resident told Afrocover under anonymity for fear of reprisals. “But unfortunately, they ran into Boko Haram members patrolling the area.”
Reports revealed further, that the insurgents initially targeted 10 individuals, but two managed to escape. One of the escapees, a boat driver, was hidden by merchants, while the other dove into the river and remained hidden until the danger passed. Both are said to be receiving local medical care.
The abductors have since contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N300,000 for each of the eight hostages.
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“Imagine people who went out to make two or three thousand naira to buy food for their families, now their abductors are asking for N300,000 each,” an anonymous source lamented.
Security agencies have not issued any official statement regarding the incident, and attempts by journalists to reach the police and military spokespersons were unsuccessful as of filing of this report.
This incident is the latest in a string of abductions in the region. Just months ago, the Nigerian and Borno State governments had assured returnees that it was safe to return home after years in exile due to the Boko Haram insurgency.
However, the recent abductions point to a troubling trend. Only days ago, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, warned the federal government of a resurgence in insurgent activities across the state.
In late 2024, more than a dozen fishermen were similarly abducted in the same local government area, highlighting the persistent threat facing residents and returnees alike.
