Families call for rescue of 13 Borno travelers held captive for 60 days.

Families of 13 travellers abducted along the Biu–Maiduguri–Damaturu road have urged security agencies and government officials to intensify efforts to secure their release, stating that the victims have now spent 60 days in captivity.

The appeal was made during a press briefing held on Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Maiduguri, where the spokesman for the affected families, Hassan Yati, voiced concern over the prolonged silence regarding the victims’ whereabouts.

Yati said the travellers were abducted on 15 April 2026 after suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents ambushed two station wagon vehicles on the Biu–Buratai–Kamuya road and took the passengers into the bush.

He added that the families remain distressed despite recent rescue operations that freed other abducted persons in Borno State, noting that there has been no confirmed information about the 13 victims.

Among those abducted, Yati mentioned a nursing mother travelling with her seven‑month‑old baby, young graduates heading to Maiduguri for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) processing, a married couple from Hawul, and several other passengers.

Yati lamented that repeated attacks along the Biu–Maiduguri corridor continue to endanger commuters, even though the road serves as a major route for many communities in the region.

He also highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of the abductions on the victims’ families, many of whom have spent weeks without any communication from their loved ones.

While expressing optimism that the captives could still be rescued, Yati praised recent efforts by security agencies that led to the release of other abducted persons and urged authorities to sustain such operations.

The families appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, the National Security Adviser and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the captives.

They also called for increased security along the Biu–Damaturu–Maiduguri road, improved surveillance, rehabilitation of the highway and stricter passenger transport regulations to enhance the safety of travellers.