United Nations frowns at abduction of internally displaced persons in Nigeria

The United Nations(UN) has frowned at recent reported abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs), comprising of number of women, boys and girls, in the Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Penpushing reports that Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Muhammed Malick Fall expressed displeasure over the ugly development and urged  authorities and other partners to provide more livelihood opportunities for Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in camps in Borno State, alongside ongoing efforts for lasting solutions, to reduce the risks of insecurity and violence faced by the inmates

“I stand in solidarity with the families of all those abducted, especially children, and their communities and urge those who have abducted them to release them without harm”, he said.

“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”, he stated

“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”, he emphasised

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that on February 29 2024 members of a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG) allegedly abducted the Internally Displaced Persons( IDPs) who had reportedly ventured beyond the safety of the trenches surrounding Ngala – from the ISS, Zulum, Kaigama, and Arabic IDP camps – in search of firewood.

The protection partners, however, noted that while an unspecified number of older women and children under 10 have reportedly been released, scores of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) remain unaccounted for as at the time of filing this report

Penpushing also reports that more than two million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have fled to garrison towns where they have few, if any, livelihood options  while 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 conflict. 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”, the word body stated

Penpushing reports that as at the time of filing this report the exact number of people abducted remains unknown but is estimated at over 200 people

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