Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly abducted many travellers along the Maiduguri-Kano Highway in Borno State.
Credible sources confirmed to AljazirahNigeria that the insurgents struck between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, along Damaturu highway after blocking the road and forcefully taking away some passengers.
One of the passengers who escaped from attack told our correspondent on telephone that the attackers left hundreds of passengers and commuters stranded on road.
“There was an incident between Garine Kuturu and Mannanari villages where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted,” the source said.
Speaking to newsmen, the driver of a commercial vehicle said they could not identify the number of passengers abducted by the insurgents.
A resident of Garin Kuturu who simply identified himself as Mustapha added that many commercial drivers took refuge in his community when the insurgents were operating between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu.
Another source said the attackers came with at least three vehicles.
“We don’t know how many people were abducted but some of the commercial drivers came back and later returned to Maiduguri before military reinforcement arrived the scene hours later,” our source disclosed, adding that it appeared that the terrorists were looking for foodstuffs from the communities.