Boko Haram abducts pastor’s wife and 3 children in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have abducted the wife of a pastor, alongside her three children in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

Damasak, located in the Northern Borno Senatorial District, approximately 156 kilometers from the state capital, Maiduguri, has been a frequent flashpoint for insurgents.

Sources within the community said the incident happened around 12 noon, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, close to Kareto village, on the Maiduguri -Damasak road.

He revealed that the family members were traveling to Damasak, where the clergyman, Moses Guguma, is in charge of COCIN Church.

“The terrorists intercepted the commercial vehicle close to Kareto village, and asked the pastor’s wife, along with her 3 children to disembark.”

“They allowed other passengers to proceed the journey and vanished into the bush with the pastors family,” said the source who pleaded anonymity.

He said the wife of the clergyman, whose identity is withheld, was discharged from a hospital in Maiduguri few days ago, and is still recovering.

As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.

Also, security forces have not issued an official statement regarding the incident, and there has been no word from the kidnappers regarding any demands.

Source close to the family, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said the victims were targeted specifically due to their religious identity.

“As at now, we are holding a special prayer to God for the safe return of the victims,” the source added.