Suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have abducted the newly elected Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area in Borno State, Alhaji Saidu, along with two councillors and several other passengers.
The abduction occurred on Wednesday evening along the Kamuya–Buni Yadi road, a section of the Borno–Yobe highway notorious for insurgent attacks, kidnappings, and ambushes.
Sources disclosed that the victims were travelling to Maiduguri after participating in the local government elections held last Saturday when their vehicles were intercepted by the terrorists.
Confirming the incident, a source said the abducted officials include the councillors representing Zarawuyaku and Miringa wards of Biu Local Government Area. One of the councillors was identified as a former Vice Chairman of the council.
The attackers reportedly also stopped other vehicles on the road, abducting additional passengers. Among the affected vehicles were one belonging to the Hisbah organisation travelling from Potiskum in Yobe State and another conveying members of Jamatul Nasrul Islam en route to Biu.
The incident has renewed concerns over worsening insecurity on major highways in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly routes linking Borno and Yobe states, despite repeated assurances by security agencies of increased patrols and military presence.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to release an official statement, while efforts to rescue the abducted victims were said to be ongoing.
