Five travellers have been kidnapped suspected insurgents of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
The highway is said to be a target for insurgents.
According to sources, the incident happened at about 3pm on Tuesday.
The travellers were said to have been stopped around Tamsukau in Kaga LGA, Borno state, which is about seven kilometres away from Ngamdu where the Nigerian Army has one of its super camps.
Sources said the insurgents, who were in military camouflage, set up a checkpoint which the commuters mistook to be one set up by soldiers.
The insurgents were said to have taken away three commercial vehicles, but later released the vehicles and some passengers, but held back five travellers.
The attack was suspected to be carried out by Abou Aseyia, who was recently appointed as ISWAP commander in charge of Sambisa forest.
Sources said Aseyia, who is reportedly in possession of gun trucks, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP) and armoured personnel carrier (APC), had had many failed attacks in Ngamdu, Katarko in Yobe where several ISWAP fighters were killed by troops of operation Hadin Kai.
Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the development.
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