Suspected Boko Haram militants have kidnapped passengers on the Maiduguri/Kano highway.
The insurgents struck between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, along the Damaturu highway, at around 5:50 PM on Monday.
They reportedly blocked the highway and forcibly took away several passengers. The incident caused hundreds of travelers and commuters to become stranded on both ends of the busy road, with some having to return to Benishek and Auno, respectively.
A source cited by Daily Trust said: “There was an incident between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted.
“We are not sure of the number as we speak but certainly there was an abduction on Monday evening.
“They came out with three wheelbarrow and I believe they were looking for food stuff. We don’t know how many people abducted but some commercial drivers came back and later returned to Maiduguri before reinforcement of military arrived.
“We were heading for Kano from Maiduguri when the driver got hinted about the attack and took a detour.
“We have been waiting for the military to clear the road but we don’t know when. We are stranded here.”