Boko Haram and The Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have reportedly abducted travellers at Goni Matari Village, along Damaturu/Maiduguri highway in Borno State.
Goni Matari village is one of the red spots on the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway.
According to The Nation, one of the eyewitnesses, a driver who prefers his name not to be mentioned, said that the terrorists attacked and set ablaze six heavy duty trucks, including two petroleum tankers and four other trailers loaded with goods and other assorted food items, including fruits.
“We came across the attack on our way to Damaturu from Maiduguri. It was around past 9am and the road was blocked from movement of travellers. We later got report that Boko Haram were attacking ahead of us in Goni Matari Village near Jakana.
“From what we heard, they took some travellers away but I cannot say exactly the number of people that they kidnapped. We are praying that God should bring an end to this problem for us,” the driver disclosed.
Another traveller, Sani who was on appointment with a consultant at the Yobe State University Teaching hospital and had to travel very early, was also trapped on the road due to the attack.
Sani narrated that he saw six trailers in flames, including two petrol tankers with one carrying NNPC colors.
The troops of Operation Handin Kai were said to have responded by clearing the temporary road blockade and chased the terrorists away with a combined operation of the air and ground forces of the Army.