A week-old ceasefire between militant faction Boko Haram and the Nigerian government has been shaky at best as civilian abductions and recurrent attacks by insurgents persist in the region.

Twenty-six people were killed and some 40 women were abducted in Gavva less than a week ago, said Michael Yohanna, a local official from neighboring Gwoza.

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"The fact is, that ceasefire is only on paper," Yohanna said.

Yohanna claimed that since the October 17 truce was announced by the Nigerian military, the attacks have not let up and seemed to give no indication that a ceasefire was in place.

Mere hours after a ceasefire was declared, insurgents attacked the towns in Garta and Waga Mangoro in Adamawa and kidnapped 60 women and children, according to local news reports.

A Pelachiroma village was attacked on Monday. Two days later, five people were killed after a bomb went off at a bus station in Azare.

Yohanna said the attack on Gavva four days ago had displaced dozens of villagers who were forced to run to the hills after they were chased by gunmen.

He noted the plight of hundreds of civilians trapped in the mountains who fled their homes after insurgents attacked, shooting their family and friends, abducting women and children, and looting their belongings.

The said villagers are trapped in the hills with no food and water. There is no way to reach them because they are surrounded by insurgents who control the roads leading to nearby Cameroon, Yohanna said.

Moreover, Yohanna said some villagers had managed to bring their generators with them to the mountains that allowed them to charge cell phones. He shared how he received a call from some villagers earlier, who reported that they had resorted to eating leaves, grass and roots.

They are asking for help, Yohanna added.

The Nigerian government announced last week an accord on a ceasefire with Boko Haram had been reached. The deal was brokered by officials in Chad.

Presidential adviser Hassan Tukur on Wednesday said Boko Haram had contacted Chadian officials for peace talks. He said Boko Haram envoy Danladi Ahmadu implied the 219 abducted Chibok girls would be released but did not say when.

Further talks on a lasting accord are underway, he added.

It remains unclear whether Boko Haram is responsible for the recent attacks but observers questioned whether Ahmadu had in fact, negotiated the truce in behalf of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who until now has remained quiet on the peace deal.

Others point to splinter groups that may have a different opinion on the ceasefire and want to continue to fight.

TagsBoko Haram, militants, Nigeria, abduction, Kidnapping, ceasefire, Adamawa, Chibok girls