The Gamboru-Ngala camp saw a remarkable development as nine internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were reportedly taken by Boko Haram terrorists on March 4 have managed to return to the camp.Â
Dr. Barkindo Mohammed Saidu, the Director-General of Borno’s State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed this information to the press, stating that the authorities in Ngala are vigilant for any further returns.
Initially, there were reports that over 300 IDPs were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists while they were collecting firewood in the bush.
These reports were supported by local sources, media outlets, and even the United Nations, which condemned the alleged kidnapping of over 300 IDPs.
However, the Borno State government disputed these claims, suggesting that the individuals had simply gotten lost.
Dr. Saidu expressed doubt about the abduction narrative, highlighting the absence of ransom demands as evidence against the theory of abduction.
He argued that if the IDPs had indeed been abducted, the perpetrators would have already contacted someone for ransom, which has not been the case so far.
This development raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the IDPs and underscores the complexities of the situation in conflict-affected regions like Gamboru-Ngala.
The conflicting narratives from different sources further complicate the understanding of events, making it challenging to ascertain the truth definitively.
