● Families: “Every passing day increases the suffering and fears of innocent families”
Fear and anxiety have gripped families in Borno State after suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted 13 travellers, including women and a seven-month-old baby, on the Biu–Damaturu highway through the Kamuya axis.
The victims were reportedly abducted on April 15, 2026, when terrorists intercepted two Golf Wagon vehicles conveying passengers and whisked them away to an unknown destination.
—Families beg FG, Borno govt for rescue—
Families of the abducted travellers have appealed to the Federal Government, Borno State Government, security agencies and humanitarian organisations to intensify rescue efforts.
The appeal was contained in a press statement signed Wednesday by Mallam Hassan Yati on behalf of the traumatised families.
Yati lamented that relatives have remained in deep pain, fear and uncertainty with little information about the victims’ whereabouts or condition.
“Among the victims were women and children, including a seven-month-old baby,” Yati said, describing the situation as heartbreaking and traumatic.
He added that families have endured sleepless nights and growing anxiety as weeks pass without meaningful updates.
“The families are calling on government authorities, security agencies, humanitarian organisations and all relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted travellers,” he stated.
He said, “Every passing day increases the suffering and fears of innocent families whose only desire is to see their loved ones return home safely.”
—Death trap highway—
Residents also lamented the deplorable condition of the Buni Gari–Kamuya–Buratai–Biu road, the major route linking Southern Borno with Maiduguri, Adamawa and Gombe states.
The road, which has remained in poor condition for years, has become a death trap for travellers, with insurgents reportedly taking advantage to launch frequent attacks and abductions along the highway.
The families appealed to Nigerians to remember the victims in prayers and support lawful efforts to restore peace along North-East highways. They expressed hope that with urgent and coordinated action, the victims could still be rescued alive. [Rewritten/Sourced from Vanguard]
