Boko Haram Abducts Dozens of Women in Borno, Seeks Ransom

Boko Haram carried out an attack in Borno state, northeast Nigeria, resulting in the abduction of at least 42 women. The incident occurred while the women were collecting firewood in the Jere district, an area that has been the center of Boko Haram's insurgency for the past 14 years.

The Associated Press reported that the abduction was disclosed by a member of the local security group known as the Civilian Joint Task Force, identified as Abba. Kachalla Maidugu, a government spokesperson in the district, confirmed the event, which took place on Tuesday but was only reported the following Wednesday. Maidugu stated that out of the 46 women initially taken, only four were allowed to return home, while the remaining 42 were held captive.

Maidugu also mentioned that the insurgents demanded a ransom of N50,000 for each abducted woman. However, local residents negotiated with the captors to reduce the amount for the women's release.

This recent abduction took place shortly after the extremist group ambushed security forces guarding local farmers in the same area, as noted by Abba from the local security group.

Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in 2009 with the goal of opposing Western education and establishing Islamic Shariah law in Nigeria, has caused significant devastation. The violence has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 people and the displacement of 2.1 million individuals, according to data from U.N. agencies in Nigeria.