Seven residents, including two daughters of a local pastor, a woman, and her baby, have been seized in a nighttime attack that once again unsettled communities in the Chibok axis of Borno State.
The assault, carried out by suspected Boko Haram fighters, deepened fears in a region long traumatised by recurring kidnappings.
The attackers stormed the quiet settlement shortly after nightfall, according to multiple residents who described the raid as swift but chaotic.
Moreover, community sources disclosed that the gunmen initially rounded up about 15 people before eight managed to slip away during the confusion.
The incident occurred on Wednesday around 8 p.m. in Shikarkir, a village under Chibok Local Government Area, a location already burdened by years of insurgent activities.
Survivors explained that the assailants appeared to be in small numbers and were not heavily armed, a detail that may have aided the escape of several captives.
A resident, John Yusuf, recalled the tense scene but noted that the militants refrained from firing shots or damaging property.
In his words, “They moved through the community quietly. They took people, but they didn’t attack homes or shoot at anyone. It was frightening, but also unusual.”
Furthermore, a community elder in Chibok, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, expressed deep frustration over recurring violence in the area.
In a message shared with our correspondent, he said the community was “exhausted by weekly attacks” that continue to leave families in distress.
“It breaks the heart to see Shikarkir suffering again,” he lamented. “The kidnapping of seven villagers, including the pastor’s daughters and a mother with her baby, should worry everyone.
“People here feel abandoned. Our leaders must rise to this challenge and ensure our security forces get the support they need.”
He added that the silence from authorities was “deafening,” stressing that Chibok “cannot continue to endure this cycle of fear.”
Residents are now appealing for a stronger military presence and coordinated community protection efforts.
The attack adds to the ongoing security debate surrounding the region, raising renewed calls for sustainable peace interventions.
Events in Shikarkir continue to underline the fragile state of rural security in Borno, and the community insists the country must confront this reality with urgency.