December 18, 2025 — Dalena Reporters
Suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants have abducted Alhaji Saidu, the newly elected Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area in Borno State, along with two councillors and several other travellers, security sources confirmed on Thursday.
The attack occurred on Wednesday evening along the Kamuya village–Buni Yadi road, a notorious stretch of highway in northeast Nigeria long associated with insurgent activity, mass kidnappings and ambushes. The victims were travelling to Maiduguri after participating in last Saturday’s local government elections when their convoy was intercepted by the militants.
According to a counter‑insurgency source, the abducted councillors represent Zarawuyaku and Miringa wards of Biu Local Government Area, and one of them is a former vice chairman of the council.
The attackers did not limit their operation to the politicians. Several unidentified passengers travelling in other vehicles were also seized. Reports indicate that a Hisbah vehicle en route from Potiskum in Yobe State to Biu was stopped, and its occupants were taken, along with passengers in a Jamatul Nasrul Islam (JNI) vehicle heading toward Biu at the time of the assault.
The approximately 120‑kilometre road corridor linking Biu, Buratai, Kamuya and Buni Yadi has long been described by locals and security analysts as highly dangerous, frequently targeted by insurgents for ambushes, kidnappings and other attacks that have repeatedly disrupted travel and commerce in the region.
As of Thursday afternoon, official statements from the Borno State Police Command or the Nigerian military had not been issued, and there was no immediate confirmation of a rescue operation. Community leaders and political figures have appealed to federal and state security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and free the abducted officials and other captives safely.
The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s North‑East, where Boko Haram/ISWAP and other extremist factions remain active, targeting civilians, political figures and security forces alike in ongoing efforts to destabilise the region.