Suspected terrorists on Wednesday evening abducted the newly elected Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, Alhaji Saidu, alongside two councillors and several other passengers along the Kamuya village–Buni Yadi road.
The councillors abducted were representing Zarawuyaku and Miringa wards of Biu Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly travelling from Biu to Maiduguri when they were intercepted by the assailants.
Also taken captive were some unidentified passengers who were travelling in a Hisbah vehicle from Potiskum town in Yobe State to Biu.
Credible sources told Vanguard that the abduction occurred in the evening hours, shortly after the elected officials, who emerged victorious in last Saturday’s local government elections, set out on their journey.
It was further gathered that one of the abducted councillors is a former vice chairman of Biu Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, a senior politician in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements operating along the axis.
“Yes, our newly elected Vice Chairman, Alhaji Saidu, and two councillors representing Zarawuyaku and Miringa wards were abducted between Kamuya village and Buni Yadi road,” the source said.
“They were abducted alongside some passengers travelling in a Hisbah vehicle from Potiskum to Biu. One of the councillors is the immediate past vice chairman of Biu Local Government,” he added.
The source appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted officials and other captives safely.
The Biu–Buratai–Kamuya–Buni–Damaturu road, which stretches for about 120 kilometres, has long been notorious for attacks, with several cases of killings and abductions recorded over the years.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies on the incident.
