An unspecified number of passengers were reportedly abducted by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on the Maiduguri-Kano highway, News About Nigeria reports.
The attack, which occurred around 5:50 PM on Monday, took place between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, along the Damaturu highway.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the gunmen blocked the highway, forcefully taking away some passengers, causing disruption and leaving travelers and commuters stranded on both ends of the typically bustling road.
A source speaking to Daily Trust reported, “There was an incident between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted. We are not sure of the number as we speak but certainly, there was an abduction on Monday evening.”
This incident adds to the growing list of abductions in the region.
In February, suspected Boko Haram terrorists kidnapped several travelers along the Damaturu-Biu highway near Mahdiya village in Gujba local government area of Yobe State.
During that attack, insurgents ambushed commercial and private vehicles, abducting passengers from six vehicles and killing one person.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Plateau State Police Command foiled the attempts of kidnappers in the Fangha community, Daffo District, Bokkos local government area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement last week.
He noted that the two suspected kidnappers were intercepted while trying to kidnap their victims and were shot dead by the police.
He stated that the station had received a distress call in the early hours of June 3 from a citizen who reported the incident, adding that a team of officers and other security groups were immediately dispersed to the scene.
He revealed that ammunition was recovered from the suspects, including one locally fabricated revolver gun loaded with four 7.62mm rounds of ammunition, two phones, one dagger, and one knife.
