Nigeria: Boko Haram kidnaps 30 more children

Footage released by Boko Haram shows the kidnapped schoolgirls taken in April. The latest abduction has dampened hopes of the girls' safe return.

Around 30 children were abducted by suspected Boko Haram militants during a siege on a village in northeast Nigeria, a local chief said on Sunday.

Alhaji Shettima Maina, who leads the village of Mafa in Borno state, said insurgents "grabbed young people, boys and girls" during an attack on Thursday.

"They took all boys aged 13 and above ...and all girls aged 11 and above," he added.

"They took them away to their base in the bush, and we believe they are going to use them as foot soldiers."

According to AFP, Maina said he had "pleaded for help from the Nigerian government" but has received none so far.

article,article,article,article,article Related

Earlier this month, it was announced that a ceasefire had been agreed with Boko Haram and a deal had been reached to release over 200 girls and young women taken from their school in Chibok, also in Borno state, in April this year.

Government spokesman Mike Omeri said the deal covered the release of the captives and Boko Haram had given assurances "that the schoolgirls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well".

However, Boko Haram has not yet confirmed the ceasefire and the latest kidnapping has dampened hopes of their safe return.

In a Human Rights Watch report released today, Africa director Daniel Bekele said the Nigerian government and its allies "need to step up their efforts and put an end to these brutal abductions".

The organisation estimates that more than 7,000 civilians have been killed by Boko Haram since their uprising in 2009.

"Abuses by Boko Haram and inadequate responses by the government are leaving many people in northern Nigeria beset by fear and anguish," Bekele said.

"The government and its allies need to step up their protection, support services, and prosecutions of abuses on both sides to stop this cycle of terror."

related articles
Nigeria is most violent country for Christians
Nigeria is most violent country for Christians

Nigeria is most violent country for Christians

Boko Haram on course to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, destroying Christian towns
Boko Haram on course to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, destroying Christian towns

Boko Haram on course to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, destroying Christian towns

Boko Haram: Terror group declares Islamic State in Nigeria
Boko Haram: Terror group declares Islamic State in Nigeria

Boko Haram: Terror group declares Islamic State in Nigeria

Who are the Islamist militants we are trying to stop?
Who are the Islamist militants we are trying to stop?

Who are the Islamist militants we are trying to stop?

Kidnapped Christian schoolgirls to be freed by Boko Haram in Nigeria
Kidnapped Christian schoolgirls to be freed by Boko Haram in Nigeria

Kidnapped Christian schoolgirls to be freed by Boko Haram in Nigeria

News
A mother’s love: a reflection of God’s heart
A mother’s love: a reflection of God’s heart

Mother’s Day is upon us and if you’re still searching for the perfect gift, maybe this article found you right on time. 

The medieval origins of Mothering Sunday
The medieval origins of Mothering Sunday

What is most significant is that the particular tradition of ‘Mothering Sunday’ – as found in the UK, Ireland and some Commonwealth countries – has its roots in an event that is much older than the US celebration and the commercial card-giving and gift-giving that the US event has inspired. And these roots express Christian beliefs and practices.

How the world’s oldest story of a women’s rights campaign is the Bible
How the world’s oldest story of a women’s rights campaign is the Bible

What is probably the world’s first recorded successful women’s rights campaign is in the Bible. Here is the story ...

Who are some of the most significant mothers of the Bible?
Who are some of the most significant mothers of the Bible?

On Mothering Sunday, we can remember the famous mothers of the Bible. Many of these mothers played an important role not only in the Bible, but also in history and theology. This is the story …