Vice Chairman, Two Councillors, Others Kidnapped By Terrorists In Borno

The newly elected vice chairman of Biu Lcal Government Area, Alhaji Saidu, and two councillors from Zarawuyaku and Miringa wards, have been abducted by suspected terrorists in Borno State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening along the road between Kamuya village and Buni Yadi while the officials were travelling from Biu to Maiduguri after last Saturday’s local government elections.

Sources said the attackers also kidnapped several other passengers who were travelling in a Hisbah vehicle from Potiskum in Yobe State to Biu.

One of the abducted councillors was said to be a former vice chairman of the local government.

Confirming the incident, a senior politician who spoke on condition of anonymity said the kidnappers were believed to be Boko Haram or ISWAP fighters.

He appealed to the government and security agencies to act quickly to rescue the victims and others still in captivity.

“Yes, our newly elected Vice Chairman in the last Saturday local government polls, Alhaji Saidu, and two Councillors representing Zarawuyaku and Miringa Wards of Biu local government area in Borno state were abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists between Kamuya village and Buni Yadi road.

“They were abducted alongside some unidentified passengers travelling in a Hizbah vehicle en route from Potiskum town of Yobe state to Biu.

“One of the councillors abducted was the immediate past vice chairman of Biu local government.

“We are appealing to the government and our security agencies to intensify efforts in rescuing them and other captives safely.” the senior politician said.

The road linking Biu, Buratai, Kamuya, Buni, and Damaturu, which is about 120 kilometres long, has long been considered dangerous, with several cases of killings and abductions reported along the route.

KanyiDaily recently reported how two soldiers and a nine-year-old boy lost their lives when insurgents launched a deadly raid on military facilities in Banki, a town in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.