Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped at least 30 boys and girls from a village in northeast Nigeria during the weekend . The abductions appear to be the latest in a string of recent kidnappings by Boko Haram that dims hope for the anticipated release of 219 schoolgirls ‎held by the group since April following a controversial ceasefire declared by Nigerian authorities . Holding on to hope for missing girls . Heavily armed Boko Haram gunmen invaded the town of Mafa in Borno state Friday and Saturday and seized 30 boys and girls , local leaders said . The news of the kidnappings was slow to emerge due to lack of telecom service in the region , where most telecom towers have been destroyed in Boko Haram 's five-year insurgency against Nigeria 's government . `` ‎In the past two days Boko Haram insurgents stormed Mafa and abducted 30 boys aged 13 and above and girls aged 11 and above , '' Mafa local government chairman Shettima Maina said . Despite so-called ceasefire , Boko Haram kidnappings continue . `` They took them away to their base in the bush , and we believe they are going to use them as foot soldiers , '' Maina said . Mallam Ashiekh Mustapha , the local chief of Mafa who confirmed the abductions , said the kidnappers also stole 300 cows from the farming community in the raid . The Nigerian government has said Boko Haram has denied involvement in the kidnappings , but the group has issued no public statement on the issue . Regardless , Boko Haram 's near-daily raids have prompted an exodus of residents from Mafa and nearby villages to the Borno state capital of Maiduguri to escape the marauding insurgents , Mustapha said . On Thursday Boko Haram killed 17 people in the nearby village of Ndongo , which they looted and set ablaze , Maina said . `` Many people have fled with their families to Maiduguri for fear of being killed or losing their children to the insurgents , '' Mustapha said . Maina lamented that the military had done nothing to stop the raids despite repeated complaints by local leaders . Last week Boko Haram militia kidnapped 60 women and girls in two Christian villages in neighboring Adamawa state , according to residents and community leaders .
Police says Boko Haram denies involvement , but group has n't commented . Local leaders said Boko Haram also stole 300 cows during raids . Police dims for anticipated release of two schoolgirls kidnapped in April . At least 30 women , girls kidnapped from village in Borno State , local leaders say .