by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Bandits suspected to be Boko Haram and ISWAP have reportedly abducted 30 passengers from 7 cars, along Buratai and Damaturu Road in Borno State. Those abducted were men, women and children.
The victims were taken to Sambisa Forest in the cars, in the incident which occurred on Wednesday, 15th April 2026, according to a victim’s family.
A statement by a Borno-born Kanuri Activist, Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, and made a available to our correspondent yesterday averred that his friend’s wife, Maria Andrew, with her 7 months’ old daughter, identified as Favour, were among the victims.
Rev. Dikwa, who is also Director-General Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria, in the statement he attached with his contact numbers, 08033497229, 08027141437, explained that the abducted are mostly young people traveling for police recruitment and employment.
He expatriated that the victims were traveling to Maiduguri, from Biu, for the new recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, and some women and children traveling back from Biu to Maiduguri after finishing documentation for new employment at Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, in Hawul LGA of Borno State.
The statement reads in parts: “Last Wednesday, 15/04/2026, B’Haram and ISWAP terrorist groups blocked road, between Buratai and Damaturu, abducted over 30 passengers – men, women, including children in 7 cars. The B’Haram terrorists took away the passengers with the cars to Sambisa Forest.
“Most of the passengers that were abducted were the young people, who were traveling to Maiduguri from Biu for the new recruitment of Nigeria Police Force, and some women and their children traveling back from Biu to Maiduguri after finishing documentation of newly employed at Federal Orthopaedic Hospital Azare, in Hawul LGA of Borno State.
“One of my friends’ wife, Maria Andrews, with her 7 months’ daughter, Favour, are victims since last Wednesday, 15/04/2026 till date. No statement made, either from the state or federal governments, or any of the security agencies.
“Therefore, silence by the state and federal governments or security agencies concerning abduction of innocent Nigerians by the B’Haram and ISWAP terrorists groups, and for government keeping quiet not to be taken any effective action shows that Nigerian Government officials, political leaders and the so-called leaders of Nigeria are the B’Haram and ISWAP terrorists groups members and leaders.
“Nigerian Government, particularly under the so-called political party called “All Progressives Congress” (APC), are always empowering, pampering, protecting and promoting terrorism by appointing the B’Haram and ISWAP terrorists groups leaders into offices.
“We are calling for the international community, particularly the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald J. Trump – let him look into this matter and take up fight against Nigerian Government first, because Nigerian Government leaders are not fighting the B’Haram and ISWAP terrorist group members and leaders.
“These terrorist groups continue to be abducting innocence Nigerians and the government still releasing the ones that are captured; the government gives them ‘repentance’ and released then into society and using them for their political manipulation.
“We pray President Donald J. Trump will use these facts and evidence to face the Nigerian Government officials, who are using these terrorists groups to continue to be killing Nigerians and Nigeria as country.
“Thank you; from: Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, Director-General Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria. 08033497229, 08027141437,” Rev. Dikwa stated.
All efforts to further verify from Borno State Governor’s Media Aide, Abdulrahman Bundi, failed, as he could not respond till the time of filing this report Monday.