From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri
Confusion has pervaded the entire police community in Borno state, as the whereabouts of five personnel abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, three days ago remained unknown.
Sources within the police circle told newsmen that they were skeptical if the abducted personnel are still alive, as Boko Haram don’t spare even civilians talk-less of security operatives.
The abducted policemen, according to investigation, comprised of Inspector Luka Maina, Sergeant Manya Chaka, Corporals Hassan Dauda, Emmanuel Onoche and Umar Ali.
Our correspondent reported that the incident happenned last Friday when some policemen attached to Banki oupost, along Nigeria-Cameroon border in Borno state, were ambushed by the insurgents while on a routine patrol along a highway.
Sources said the cops were on a patrol in an Armored Personnel Carrier, (APC), with registration number, NPF4960c, when they came under heavy attack, as over 20 gunmen opened fire at their vehicle.
“The terrorists opened fire on the armored vehicle and the officers quickly rushed out of the APC and fled into the bush. But were trailed and captured by the insurgents.
Till this moment, we did not hear from them and don’t know their whereabouts, as their phones remained switch-off. In fact we presumed that both the personnel and the APC are in the custody of the militants or they might have been killed by now”, the source said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Tanko Lawan, confirmed the incident but declined further details.
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