From Uthman Abubakar, Maiduguri
The recent rescue of 360 Boko Haram captives in Borno State has sparked renewed hope and urgent appeals from the families of 13 travellers who were abducted by terrorists nearly two months ago.
The victims were intercepted on April 15 along the Biu-Damaturu-Maiduguri road.
On Saturday, June 13, distressed relatives stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Maiduguri, making a passionate public appeal to the government, security agencies, and Southern Borno political leaders to intervene and secure the release of their loved ones.
According to family spokespersons, the 13 travellers were en route to Maiduguri via the Biu-Buratai-Kamuya-Damaturu axis when they were ambushed by motorcycle-riding insurgents. The terrorists forced the passengers off the road and herded them deep into the forest.
The families explained that their decision to speak out was triggered by the military’s successful rescue of 360 Boko Haram abductees on Saturday, June 6. While celebrating that milestone, the families noted that it amplified their own pain and desperation to see their relatives returned safely.
“We are begging the government, our security agencies, and our community leaders in Southern Borno to please remember our people.
“The news of the 360 rescued captives proves that our security forces are capable. We pray they extend that same hand of rescue to our 13 brothers and sisters
“Today, we address you with hearts weighed down by pain, fear and uncertainty over the abduction of 13 travelers who left Biu for Maiduguri on April 15, 2026, but never reached their destination after their vehicles were ambushed by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents,” Hassan Yati, spokesman for the families told newsmen almost tearfully.
“Today marks exactly 60 painful days since they disappeared.
Sixty days of unanswered questions; Sixty days of sleepless nights; Sixty days of children waiting at the door for parents who never returned home,” the traumatized families cried out.
“While we rejoice over the recent rescue of 360 abducted women, children and men from Ngoshe, as well as the rescue of 11 abducted fisherwomen from Askira Uba, our joy remains incomplete because our loved ones are still in captivity,” they said.
They queried further: “How does Mr. Musa Wakawa comfort himself after losing contact with his wife and daughter, whom he promised never to leave behind?”
The families pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, National security adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, Hon Midala Usman Balami, Hon Ahmed Usman Jaha, Barr. Daniel Bwala (Special Advisor to Mr. President on Policy Communication and Media), the Nigerian Army and all relevant security agencies not to forget the travelers abducted including many others abducted before this incident of 15th April,2026.
“We refuse to believe they have been forgotten,” they remarked.
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