Suspected Boko Haram members behead 10 travellers along Borno-Yobe highway

The attacks took place on a popular highway.

At least 10 persons have been confirmed dead by security and transport officials after suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched two different attacks on a major highway in northeast Nigeria.

The terrorists had, during the attack on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway, also set ablaze several vehicles, including those conveying food items to Borno State.

The attacks took place some few kilometres from Benisheik Town where terrorists dressed in military fatigue and riding in armoured tanks killed at least 140 travelers on September 17.

A security source who doesn't want to be named as he is not permitted to speak to the press, said most of those attacked were found beheaded.

"We found ten corpses by the road side near Benisheik just before Ngamdu Village; the victims were beheaded and their heads placed on their chests," said the security source.

Some road transport officials also confirmed that they saw the slain travelers.

Abubakar Haruna, an official of the NURTW said, "The killings were carried out between Ngamdu and Benisheik. We were on our way to Maiduguri around 6.30 a.m.

(Monday) when we saw the ten dead bodies," he said.

Journalists also got confirmation from the security sources that four people were also killed along the route on Saturday at a different spot near Benisheik.

The Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, on Monday warned travelers plying the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway to be extra cautious of the road, saying 'driving on that highway is a dangerous risk'. Mr. Gaidam sometimes plies the route.

Travelers are left in fear, and many have to put off their journey for fear of possible attacks by Boko Haram.

Vehicles including trucks conveying food items were set ablaze by the terrorists; a development that poses a threat of impending food shortage in the area.

Another commercial truck driver, Iliya Lado, told PREMIUM TIMES that 'despite these daily attacks, the roads are left without adequate security personnel; one will travel up to 50km without any manned security post. We really do not understand what is happening with the soldiers'.

Residents of Maiduguri have continued to languish in fear as the Boko Haram attacks intensify and gradually inch towards the state capital.

It was also gathered from transport workers that many of the victims to the Boko Haram attacks were those traveling to Damaturu to make phone calls, due to the general communication shut down in Borno for about four months now.