Bandit terrorists abduct Nigerian soldiers in Borno

Bandit terrorists have reportedly kidnapped two Nigerian Army personnel on Maiduguri-Damaturu highway, Goni Masari area in Borno.

The soldiers identified as Bello Abubakar and Oyediran Adedotun were kidnapped while traveling to Kano, in a civilian vehicle at about 5:07 p.m. on Saturday.

Their kidnap was disclosed in a wireless message sent by 29 Task Force Brigade and seen by Peoples Gazette.

The soldiers had alerted the army base in Mainok, having observed the driver’s suspicious behaviour and his familiarity with the terrorists.

It is believed that the bandit terrorists had carried out the operation following information given to them by the driver, the army signal message said.

Subsequently, troops from the 134 special forces battalion led by the commanding officer were mobilised to the scene, but the bandits had fled the area, seeing that soldiers were mobilised to the general area.

The driver and vehicle were also immediately apprehended and are in the army’s custody.

“The soldiers were on pass when the incident occurred. Liaison with Sect 2 MIB revealed that a SAR operation is being conducted while the driver of the bus in which the soldiers were traveling is suspected to be a prime suspect in the incident due to some indicators. He has been arrested by troops and is undergoing investigation,” the army document stated.

Bello Abubakar’s identity card and wallet were found in the vehicle, but the army was unable to discover the location of the soldiers and other passengers.