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Nigeria denies that Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds in northeast Nigeria denies that Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds in northeast
(about 1 hour later)
ABUJA, Nigeria — Reports of a large-scale kidnapping by Boko Haram prompted fears Wednesday that the Islamist insurgent group had retained its strength despite a multinational offensive against its strongholds. But a Ni­ger­ian government spokesman denied the abductions had occurred. ABUJA, Nigeria — Reports of a large-scale kidnapping by Boko Haram prompted fears Wednesday that the Islamist insurgent group had retained its strength despite a multinational offensive against its strongholds. But a Ni­ger­ian government spokesman denied that the abductions had occurred.
A Reuters report quoted residents of Damasak, in northeastern Borno state, who said Boko Haram fighters had kidnapped more than 400 women and children.A Reuters report quoted residents of Damasak, in northeastern Borno state, who said Boko Haram fighters had kidnapped more than 400 women and children.
The insurgent group was thought to have been pushed out of that village by an offensive led by Chadian soldiers earlier this month as part of a multinational operation. The military campaign came nearly a year after Boko Haram grabbed the world’s attention by kidnapping about 300 schoolgirls, many of whom remain missing.The insurgent group was thought to have been pushed out of that village by an offensive led by Chadian soldiers earlier this month as part of a multinational operation. The military campaign came nearly a year after Boko Haram grabbed the world’s attention by kidnapping about 300 schoolgirls, many of whom remain missing.
A large-scale abduction by the group would serve as a blow to the Nigerian government, which — just days before a presidential election — is waging a seemingly effective counteroffensive against Boko Haram, along with neighboring countries.A large-scale abduction by the group would serve as a blow to the Nigerian government, which — just days before a presidential election — is waging a seemingly effective counteroffensive against Boko Haram, along with neighboring countries.
A spokesman for the Nigerian military denied that the abductions had occurred in Damasak, near the Niger border.A spokesman for the Nigerian military denied that the abductions had occurred in Damasak, near the Niger border.
“There was no kidnapping there,” Mike Omeri said. “The people have been rescued and moved to IDP [internally displaced person] camps.”“There was no kidnapping there,” Mike Omeri said. “The people have been rescued and moved to IDP [internally displaced person] camps.”
In the Ni­ger­ian capital, experts were frantically trying to learn more about the purported kidnapping. Given the inaccessibility of the northeastern area, details about civilian casualties and abductions have been difficult to ascertain.In the Ni­ger­ian capital, experts were frantically trying to learn more about the purported kidnapping. Given the inaccessibility of the northeastern area, details about civilian casualties and abductions have been difficult to ascertain.
Kole Shettima, director of the MacArthur Foundation’s Africa office in Abuja, made calls to the region. He said he spoke to one man who reported that his two sons “and many others” had disappeared.Kole Shettima, director of the MacArthur Foundation’s Africa office in Abuja, made calls to the region. He said he spoke to one man who reported that his two sons “and many others” had disappeared.
“Something happened, but it’s very hard to know the numbers,” Shettima said.“Something happened, but it’s very hard to know the numbers,” Shettima said.
Boko Haram has threatened to disrupt the presidential election, scheduled for Saturday, after being delayed for a month because of security concerns related to the insurgent group. If the large-scale kidnappings occurred, it would suggest that Boko Haram fighters are still able to inflict terror in Africa’s most populous country and biggest oil producer. Boko Haram has threatened to disrupt the presidential election, scheduled for Saturday after being delayed for a month because of security concerns related to the insurgent group. If the large-scale kidnappings occurred, it would suggest that Boko Haram fighters are still able to inflict terror in Africa’s most populous country and biggest oil producer.
Omeri suggested that Boko Haram fighters only escaped with their wives.Omeri suggested that Boko Haram fighters only escaped with their wives.
The success of the counterinsurgency campaign has become a point of pride for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is running for another four years in office.The success of the counterinsurgency campaign has become a point of pride for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is running for another four years in office.
His campaign claims that Boko Haram has become operationally ineffective in the face of the military attacks. But Jonathan’s aides also acknowledge the horrors experienced by Nigerians who have lived under the group’s reign.His campaign claims that Boko Haram has become operationally ineffective in the face of the military attacks. But Jonathan’s aides also acknowledge the horrors experienced by Nigerians who have lived under the group’s reign.
“For them, it was mental torture,” Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, the minister of special duties, aid in an interview. “For them, it was mental torture,” Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, the minister of special duties, said in an interview.
Boko Haram has carried out increasingly lethal and frequent attacks since 2009, targeting Christians, the army, politicians and civilians. More than 10,000 people were killed in violence related to the group last year. Boko Haram recently declared its allegiance to the Islamic State, the militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria.Boko Haram has carried out increasingly lethal and frequent attacks since 2009, targeting Christians, the army, politicians and civilians. More than 10,000 people were killed in violence related to the group last year. Boko Haram recently declared its allegiance to the Islamic State, the militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria.
Read more:Read more:
The Boko Haram insurgency, by the numbersThe Boko Haram insurgency, by the numbers
Children rescued from Boko Haram are so traumatized they forgot their namesChildren rescued from Boko Haram are so traumatized they forgot their names
Boko Haram is just as vicious. Why does the Islamic State get all the headlines?Boko Haram is just as vicious. Why does the Islamic State get all the headlines?