Categories: Nigeria News

Insurgents abduct newly wedded groom, best man in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists have reportedly kidnapped two aid workers in Nigeria’s restive northeast Borno State on their way from a wedding.

The two were identified as an employee of UN World Food Programme, who had just attended his wedding, and a colleague from the International Committee of the Red Cross who had been the best man at the ceremony.

Islamic State West Africa Province seized them on Wednesday near Jakana village, the sources said.

“ISWAP terrorists took the two aid workers hostage at a checkpoint they mounted near Jakana,” a UN source told AFP.

The hostages were returning to the regional capital Maiduguri from the wedding in neighbouring Adamawa State when they were stopped at a bogus checkpoint around 1230 GMT, the source said.

The WFP worker “had his wedding on November 28 and the Red Cross colleague was his best man,” said the UN source.

A military source in Jakana confirmed the kidnap of “two humanitarian staff by ISWAP terrorists.”

On Wednesday, the UN issued a memo informing its staff about the abduction of a “UN national staff embarking on a private trip… by NSAG (non-state armed group)”.

The memo did not state which UN agency the kidnapped staffer worked for.

The incident happened along the 120-kilometre Maiduguri/Damaturu highway which passes through Jakana, said the memo seen by AFP.

In a statement on Friday, ISWAP said it seized “two Christians working for the Red Cross organisation”.

The group said the incident occurred at a checkpoint between the village of Mainok and Maiduguri.

Jakana, 25 kilometres from Maiduguri, lies on a known crossing route for ISWAP fighters moving between their camps in the Benisheikh forest area of Borno and their hideouts in the Buni Yadi area of Yobe state.

Since it split from mainstream Boko Haram group in 2016, ISWAP has intensified attacks on military targets, but it has increasingly been targeting civilians.

Thousands of people have been killed and around two million displaced in the Islamist conflict, which started 11 years ago in Nigeria’s northeast.

The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad, leading to the formation of a regional military force to fight the insurgents.

Treasure Orokpo

A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.

Recent Posts

Soaring rice prices threaten Christmas celebrations for Nigerian families

Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…

20 hours ago

Panic as Stage collapses during Odumodublvck’s performance at Lagos concert

Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…

20 hours ago

2025 Budget: FG allocates ₦6.36bn for renovation of Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…

20 hours ago

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd December 2024

The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…

20 hours ago

NNPC debunks shutdown rumors, confirms fuel loading at Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…

21 hours ago

‘We have to find a way’ – Guardiola laments after defeat to Aston Villa

Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…

21 hours ago