Islamic State Kidnaps 47 Women in Northern Nigeria

At least 47 women are missing following a mass abduction carried out by Islamic militants in northeast Nigeria, according to anti-jihadist militia leaders on Tuesday.

The blame for Friday's assault in Borno state, the epicenter of an Islamic extremist insurgency that has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people since 2009, was placed on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Shehu Mada, a leader of the anti-jihadist militia, recounted that women from displacement camps near the Cameroon border in Ngala were out gathering firewood when they were "rounded up by ISWAP insurgents."

"Some of the women managed to escape and return," noted Mada, who participated in the headcount. "However, 47 women who were part of the wood-collecting group are unaccounted for. They were abducted by the jihadists."

Usman Hamza, another leader of the anti-jihadist militia, corroborated the narrative, stating, "47 women... failed to return after the insurgents attacked them."

Nahum Daso Kenneth, spokesperson for the Borno State police, confirmed an attack occurred around 4 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday but could not provide an exact count of those kidnapped or still held captive.

Ali Bukar, an official at the Ngala Local Government Information Unit, indicated receiving reports suggesting the number might be higher.

Kidnapping remains a significant challenge across Nigeria, compounded by criminal militias in the northwest and outbreaks of intercommunal violence in central regions.

Just last month, kidnappers seized at least 35 women who were returning from a wedding in the northwestern state of Katsina.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office last year pledging to address insecurity in Nigeria, but critics contend that violence has spiraled out of control.