By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS

Militants have abducted more than 45 women, children and young men in Nigeria's Adamawa state as Boko Haram group continued to solidify their grip on some of the state's villages.

"Villagers have complained to military authorities that up to 50 women and children were abducted over the weekend especially in Gulak town of Madagali local government area," a senior police officer told Anadolu Agency on Monday.

"The claim is being investigated because even the villagers cannot be trusted 100 percent these days because of our experiences as security agents," he said.

Adamu Mailafiya, a resident of the town, said the abductions occurred on Saturday and caught locals "totally unaware."

"We are used to them (Boko Haram) coming to preach to us; they will gather people and start preaching," he told AA.

"Three days ago they came again and asked people to join them for the mission but there was reluctance on the part of the community elders," he said.

He recalled that one resident was killed "when he raised an eyebrow".

"In the end they took up to 45 women and children plus some young boys too," Mailafiya said.

A local news medium, Daily Trust, reported similar conscription in another Husra village of Michika local government area of the state.

Defense spokesman Chris Olukolade could not be reached for comments on the purported abductions.

Boko Haram group is said to have captured eight towns in Adamawa State, which has a population of some 2.5 million.

The militants have already overrun the towns of Dikwa, Gamboru Ngala and Gwoza – all in Borno State. They also currently control the towns of Buni Yadi and Bara in neighboring Yobe State.

Boko Haram's elusive leader, Abubakar Shekau, recently declared all territories under the group's control to be part of an "Islamic caliphate" in northern Nigeria.

In April, over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram militants. They remain in captivity in spite of local and international outcry over the fate of the teenagers.

Outlawed in Nigeria, Turkey and the U.S., Boko Haram has been blamed for thousands of deaths and scores of violent attacks, especially in the country's restive northeastern region.

www.aa.com.tr/en