Locals also said the victims were from a camp for internally displaced persons in the neighboring Mafa district and had been selling firewood to boost their income due to economic hardship.

Kachalla Maidugu, a government spokesman in the district, confirmed the incident that occurred on Tuesday but was only reported late Wednesday. “We received information yesterday that 46 women were abducted, but only four were allowed to return home while 42 were held back,” said Maidugu.

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He also said the rebels have demanded a ransom of 50,000 naira ($55) for each woman though the locals were negotiating to pay lesser amounts for the women’s freedom.

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