Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning

Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri

Fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have abducted an unspecified number of passengers along Damaturu / Maiduguri highway on Saturday.

This is coming less than 24 hours after the Department of State Security Services, DSS was said to have brought a sitrep to the Headquarters Theatre Command that ISWAP elements were gathering around Minok village along Damaturu, Maiduguri the highway.

According to a security source, the commuters were heading to Maiduguri in Borno State from Damaturu in Yobe state, when they were intercepted a few kilometers after Benishiek town.

Benishiek is the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno and is about 75 km to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

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“Yes, there was an attack on motorists this morning along Damaturu/Maiduguri highway; these senseless people abducted an unspecified number of passages around Benishiek and Mainok axis. We don’t have more details than this.” the source said.

The Chairman Northeast Network of Civil Organization, Amb Ahmed Shehu, told newsmen that he also received reports of the abduction.

“There is still an abduction on the Damaturu -Maiduguri route this morning. Why can’t we have a sustainable solution to this reoccurring misfortune?” Amb Shehu queried.

NEWSng learnt that the incident happened around 8:30am on Saturday.

Residents of Maiduguri whose relatives had traveled were thrown into confusion as many who could not get their relations on phone have called for prayers.

This is also coming on the heels of reports filtering within the city that some many of the surrendered Boko Haram elements have escaped from camps where they are kept and awaiting rehabilitation and transformation before they are integrated back into the society.

Residents said this has further confirmed the fears of residents as well as confirmed the position of the Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai that some of the surrendered Boko Haram fighters may not be sincere in their approach to government as they are suspected to have ulterior motives.

But in a reaction to the incident, the Nigeria Army, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) described the reports as unsubstantiated.

According the a statement from Col Ado Isa, Deputy Director Public Relations 7 Division Nigerian Army/Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI the reports making rounds today, 11 December 2021 on social media and some pages of newspapers on the purported abduction of Maiduguri bound commuters by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) along Mainok and Borgozo in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State is not true.

The Army said the alleged incident is false, misleading and with the sole intention to smear the glaring good efforts and achievements of OPHK.

“The fact is that members of the terrorists group emerged through the Dole/Bari villages on some vehicles with the intent to mount snap  road blocks in order to cause havoc and apprehension in the hearts of villagers and commuters. Troops on mobile patrol within the general area foiled the attempt without any delay. There was no abduction of any commuter today. It was just the imagination of mischief makers who are not happy that peace is gradually returning to the North East.

“Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI will continue to sustain the peace efforts by ensuring the Maiduguri – Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR) is not only fortified to frustrate the evil intentions of the terrorists but the Theatre will continue to ensure all locations are adequately manned by highly trained troops ready to defeat any criminal act against the peace loving citizens.

“Members of the general public are requested to disregard all forms of reports in the media regarding the recent abduction of commuters alleged to have occurred along the MSR today.

“We crave for understanding and cooperation from every well-meaning member of the public. We should all remain calm and verify issues with the military authority as an unsuspected group of persons are planning to cause apprehension and anxiety especially as the yuletide season is already here.” The statement added

Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning