Abducted fishermen are recently repatriated refugees from Chad who were resettled in Doron Baga – security operatives say the men ventured beyond restricted safe areas.

Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have abducted more than 100 fishermen in Doron Baga in Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast. The fishermen are mostly refugees who were recently repatriated from the Chad Republic and resettled by the Borno State government in Doron Baga in the Kukawa Local Government Area. The abduction took place on Tuesday, March 18.

The insurgents have vowed not to release them until a ransom of ₦1 million is paid for each man. They warned the men’s families that they would kill the fishermen if the ransom were not paid.

Fishing a risky business

“I was one of the refugees who were repatriated from neighbouring Chad. The Borno State government organised our return to Nigeria in February and we were happy to be resettled in Doron Baga,” said a resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

“But when we were resettled, not all of us received the intervention [cash, food and non-food items] provided by the government. That is why many of us turned to fishing. We need to feed our families and to earn a living. We know that fishing can be risky and that there have been many abductions and killings. But it is the only way we can survive.”

₦1 million ransom demand

The resident said the ISWAP fighters were heavily armed.

“They encircled the fishermen and forcibly abducted more than 100 of them.

“They used small boats that carry five people to transport the abducted fishermen from one side of the river to the other bank. All the abducted people were men.”

The insurgents released 10 of the abductees on Wednesday, March 19. They told the men to inform the families of the men being held captive and said they would not be released until the ransom for each man was paid.

“The 10 people are acting as mediators between the insurgents and the families of the abductees. The insurgents are demanding ₦1 million ransom for each man,” he said.

“We can’t secure their release because we do not have the money to pay such a hefty ransom. We do not know what will happen to the abductees because the insurgents threatened to kill them if we do not pay the ransom.”

Security operatives informed

The resident said that after speaking to the released men, a group went to inform security operatives.

“We informed the military and other security operatives about the situation. We are still waiting to see what is going to happen. We do not know what actions they will take.”

Struggling to start a new life

A community leader in Baga told Ndarason that the resettled refugees were struggling to start a new life.

“Many of them do not understand the security challenges people experience in this community. Most of them do not have work and they are in desperate need of food for their families. Fishing is the only thing available to them.”

The community leader said people who were familiar with the community and the security challenges did not go fishing in the area where the abduction took place.

“There are still restricted places in Baga. Sometimes people go beyond the restricted areas because they are desperate and need to get food for their families. Some of these places are close to the main town but they are no-go areas. It has been like that for many years.

“I do not know how long we will live in trenches, struggling to survive. The government needs to expand the safe areas so that residents can fish in peace, especially now that the refugees have been resettled in Doron Baga.”

Security challenges

A local security operative said the abducted fishermen were new to the environment and most of them did not know the security arrangements in the community.

“We always warn people to obey the security protocols and seek advice before venturing into areas that are not safe.

“But people are desperate,” he said, “that is why they do not always listen to the advice given by security operatives.”

In January, suspected ISWAP fighters killed at least 50 farmers in Baga, accusing them of breaching “a peace deal.”

At the time, the Borno State government said in a statement released through the ministry of information that the farmers had gone beyond the restricted areas. It urged citizens to always adhere to established security protocols for their safety.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO