Boko Haram Insurgents Abduct Travellers Along Damaturu-Maiduguri Highway

Dozens of travellers were on Thursday abducted by Boko Haram insurgents along Damaturu-Maiduguri Road.

According to sources, the insurgents attacked a large convoy of commuters at Garin-Kuturu near Auno in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State at about 1:30 pm.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the insurgents who were in military uniforms, placed a roadblock on the highway with five Hilux vans before taking away the passengers.

WITHIN NIGERIA also learnt that the gunmen set ablaze two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Peugeot car, however, the actual number of the victims abducted was not immediately known.

An eyewitness, Haijya Mairo, who narrowly missed the attack, told DANDAL Kura Radio International that they were close to the scene when they suddenly heard deafening sounds and their driver made a U-turn to Benisheik town.

She says Alhamdulahii , they left Damaturu to Maiduguri after we passed Mainok and at a village called Gari Kututru, we started hearing heavy sounds all over.

She also said Some vehicles in front of themmade U-turn and their driver too turned back to Benshiek.

The troops engaged the Boko Haram fighters for about an hour the soldiers came and asked us to follow them. When we got to the scene, two cars were burning.

She added that they saw another car in the bush and many shoes, women headscarves on the grounds.

A security source confirmed the incident but claimed the troops repelled an attempt by the insurgents to cause obstruction along Maiduguri/ Damaturu highway.