Chibok

At least six people were killed and three wounded when Boko Haram insurgents attacked a community in northeastern Nigeria on Christmas Eve.

The insurgents raided Kwaaagilim village near the town of Chibok in Borno state on Dec. 25.

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum confirmed the incident Wednesday during a visit to the area.

The Boko Haram terrorist group has kidnapped more than 1,000 children in Nigeria since 2013, UNICEF said, quoted by CNN. On April 14, Nigerians commemorate the kidnapping of hundreds of pupils from Chibok. The case angered the public. Later, after the army intervened, hundreds of the girls were returned. However, jihadists continue this year with their attacks and assaults.

Nigeria said on May 6 that it had negotiated the release of 82 of the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamists more than three years ago, securing their freedom in a prisoner swap deal.

A schoolmate says she cried with joy when she saw a Boko Haram video appearing to show some of Nigeria's kidnapped Chibok girls, with images of tearful parents recognizing their daughters, who have not been heard from since the mass abduction by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram two years ago.
     

The rise of non-state actors, mainly terrorist organizations, in recent years has dramatically increased the volume of violence and number of casualties around the world.

Nigeria's military on April 28 claimed the rescue of 200 girls and 93 women from a notorious Boko Haram stronghold, but said there was no confirmation the hostages were those kidnapped from Chibok a year ago.

Nigeria?s president-elect Muhammadu Buhari cautioned April 14 that he could not make promises on the return of 219 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram exactly a year ago.

?We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them,? he said in a statement.

Boko Haram has kidnapped at least 185 people, including women and children, from a Nigerian village, carting the hostages away on trucks towards Sambisa Forest, a notorious rebel stronghold, two local officials and a vigilante leader said Dec. 18.
      

Boko Haram militants killed 32 people and kidnapped scores of others in an attack on the village of Gumsuri in the restive northeast, two local officials and a witness said Dec. 18.
      

More than 60 women and girls abducted last month by suspected Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria have escaped their captors, sources said July 7, but more than 200 schoolgirls are still being held by the Islamists.

Local vigilante Abbas Gava said he had "received an alert from my colleagues ... that about 63 of the abducted women and girls had made it back home" late July 5.