ABOUT 2000 children between the ages of five and 14 have gone missing since junta rebels invaded the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, on January 6, the social welfare ministry said on Thursday. “Based on statistics, we believe that many of the children have been abducted by the rebels when they were chased out by [the West African intervention force] Ecomog and have been taken to the bush.” Ecomog forces have largely routed the Revolutionary United Front from Freetown but the rebels remain active in the surrounding areas and in the interior of the country. The official said many of the children had been traumatized by rebel atrocities including rape. “Some are being used as cooks, carriers of looted goods while others have been illegally married to rebel commandos,” the ministry said.