No Passenger Abducted along Damaturu-Biu road – Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has responded to the alleged abduction of passengers along the Damaturu-Biu road by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

According to the NA HQ, the fake news was reported by Vanguard Newspaper and spread on social media platforms.

Read the Nigerian Army HQ statement below:

The attention of Headquarters Sector 2, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, was drawn to fake news on Vanguard newspaper website and other social media platforms alleging that suspected Boko Haram terrorists have abducted unspecified passengers plying Damaturu-Bia road yesterday.

This is not true as there is no such incidence in the northeast, let alone in the mentioned road.

What the medium misconstrued was that, as part of our routine measures to curb the criminal activities of Boko Haram terrorists and ensure safety and security of all residents and commuters, troops carry out routine patrols, checks and ambushes.

This often necessitated the temporary closure of the roads.

What happened in the morning of 1st February 2019 was that there was reported suspected movement of Boko Haram terrorists and the troops swung into action. In order to avoid likely collateral damages, the troops temporarily halted vehicles movement. However, the road was immediately reopened after the routine military operation.

Members of the public and the good people of Yobe state, particularly motorist and travellers plying that route, are to discountenance the report and go about their lawful daily activities, as our troops are working round the clock to ensure the protection of lives and property of members of the public, especially on our roads.

We wish to reiterate that journalists should endeavour to always cross check their information with the relevant security agencies before publishing.

NJOKA IRABOR
Lieutenant
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
Sector 2, Operation LAFIYA DOLE
2nd February 2019