Just In: Boko Haram Abduct Doctor, Others In Chad

Civilian and military sources have confirmed the abduction of a hospital head doctor, a nurse and their driver by Boko Haram members in western Chad.

Naija News understands that this was the first abduction targeting medical personnel in the region, where Boko Haram has raided many villages, kidnapping mainly women.

It was reported that the medical team was headed to the town of Tchoukouliya on the northern shore of Lake Chad, a Boko Haram stronghold when they were kidnapped on Wednesday.

This was disclosed to the Nigeria News on Thursday by local governor Nouki Charfadine.

He told the news agency that “the kidnappers took them away on a motorised canoe on the lake.”

Boko Haram has training camps on several of the islands that dot the vast, shallow lake, which straddles the borders of Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon as well as Chad.

Speaking on the abduction, a high-ranking military official said that the three staff from the hospital in Bagassoula, all Chadians, had not notified authorities of their movement.

“They were intercepted by Boko Haram elements, and local people alerted us after spotting their abandoned car with all four doors open,” the source said.

The military source added that the army had launched a search for the victims.