Several people have been kidnapped on the highway in recent times.

Dozens of travellers commuting between Yobe and Borno states, Northeast Nigeria, were Thursday abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP), a Boko Haram terrorist group’s splinter faction.

Sources informed HumAngle that the terrorists intercepted the travellers at a checkpoint mounted by the insurgents along a major route to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Jakana-Auno section of the road is considered dangerous due to frequent ISWAP interception of passengers and security forces’ attacks.

HumAngle learnt that the abduction took place on Thursday and Friday and the actual number of the victims was not immediately known.

An eyewitness, who narrowly missed the attack on Thursday, told DANDAL Kura Radio International that they were close to the scene when they suddenly heard loud sounds. Their driver made a U-turn to Benisheik town.

On Friday, a group of insurgents abducted people along the route, including relatives travelling with a bride. HumAngle learnt that some of the victims intercepted earlier in the day were freed by the insurgents.

Over the years, several people have been killed and others abducted by insurgents along the 130 kilometres Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.