by James Sambo

Despite saying it is yet to verify the reports of mass abduction in Borno, the Nigerian Military High Command, has disclosed that its officers are investigating the claims.

It was reported during the week that scores of people were kidnapped by the Boko Haram insurgents between Sunday and Wednesday. The total number of people abducted is believed to be as high as 200.

A statement released on the Defence Headquarters blog responded to the reports. It said: “Troops are patrolling the general area of Gumsuri in search of terrorists who were said to have attacked the community last weekend.”

“Although it has been confirmed that some people were killed by the terrorists during the attack, the reported abductions as claimed by unidentified sources being quoted in some foreign media is yet to be verified from any credible sources in the community.”

The Defence Headquarters statement also revealed that some villagers have began to return to the village, while adding that soldiers have been ordered to maintain continuous patrol of the area.

It said: “Some of the villagers who fled during the attack have started returning to the village. Normal life has also returned to the area. The surveillance and patrol of the area by air and land forces has been stepped up to secure the general area.”

“Troops have been ordered to sustain an aggressive patrol over the area and the surrounding communities in order to ensure that terrorists do not have any freedom of action in the area while the counter-terrorism campaign continues,” the statement added.