Boko Haram seize army base, abduct 40 young men

World Today

Boko Haram militants attacked the Northeastern town of Baga and seized a key multinational army base over the weekend. CCTV Africa’s Clementine Logan reported this story from Nigeria. 

Baga was the last town in the Borno North area under government control.

The base was hosting troops from Chad, Nigeria and Niger during the Multi-National Joint Task Force. Their job had been to combat the insurgents who seized the base.

But the troops fled when the base came under attack this past weekend. Reports indicate they put up almost no resistance.

As many as 40 young men and boys were taken by the group. Making more than 2,000 people killed or kidnapped in 2014 by Boko Haram.

Nigerians living in the Northeast of the country, like Abiola-Banker question the government’s strategy when it comes to the militant group.

“If you look at this issue of Boko Haram recently, the attacks have intensified due to no answer to this issue, so its something that all Nigerians should take seriously and maybe put in our prayers, it’s worrisome,” Abiola-Banker said.

Boko Haram’s disturbing multi-pronged approach involves abducting people as well.

And with elections scheduled for next month, Nigerians say the government needs to step up national security efforts – and fast.