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Families of 13 travellers abducted by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents while travelling from Biu to Maiduguri have made an emotional appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and security authorities to intensify efforts toward securing the release of their loved ones, who have now spent 60 days in captivity.
The desperate plea was made during a press conference in Maiduguri, where grieving relatives gathered to recount the emotional trauma, uncertainty, and anguish they have endured since the victims disappeared on April 15, 2026.
For the families, the passing of each day has brought renewed anxiety and fear, as they continue to wait for news about relatives who vanished after their vehicles were ambushed by heavily armed insurgents along one of Borno State's most dangerous road corridors.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, their spokesperson, Hassan Yati, described the past two months as a period of unimaginable suffering marked by sleepless nights, emotional distress, and unanswered questions.
According to him, the abductees were travelling from Biu to Maiduguri when suspected insurgents intercepted two commercial station wagon vehicles carrying passengers along the Biu–Buratai–Kamuya road.
The attackers reportedly forced the passengers into the surrounding bush and transported them to an unknown destination, leaving families with little information about their whereabouts or condition.
Yati disclosed that those abducted included women, children, National Youth Service Corps members, married couples, and other civilians from different walks of life whose lives were abruptly disrupted by the attack.
He said the victims represented various dreams, aspirations, and responsibilities that were suddenly placed on hold.
Among those kidnapped, according to him, is a mother travelling with her seven-month-old baby who had only recently recovered from illness. Also among the victims are young graduates heading to Maiduguri to finalize their NYSC deployment processes, a husband and wife from Hawul Local Government Area, and two brothers who were travelling together in pursuit of new opportunities.
"These are ordinary Nigerians who boarded vehicles expecting to arrive at their destinations within a few hours. None of them imagined they would disappear into captivity and remain there for months," he said.
"What began as a routine journey has become a prolonged nightmare for their families."
The families described the emotional toll of the abduction as devastating, saying they have lived every day since the incident in fear and uncertainty.
Yati noted that June 15 marked exactly 60 days since the victims were abducted, a milestone that has deepened the pain felt by their relatives.
"Today, we speak with hearts weighed down by pain, fear, and uncertainty," he said.
"Sixty days of unanswered questions. Sixty days of sleepless nights. Sixty days of children waiting at the door for parents who never returned home. Sixty days of prayers, tears, and hope that seems to fade with every passing day."
He added that many family members have struggled with psychological trauma and emotional exhaustion, while some households have also suffered economic hardship due to the absence of breadwinners among the abducted travellers.
For elderly parents, spouses, and children left behind, every phone call brings a mixture of hope and anxiety as they continue to await any information regarding the fate of their loved ones.
Despite their pain, the families acknowledged the recent successes recorded by security agencies in rescuing abducted persons across Borno State.
They specifically referenced the recent rescue of hundreds of abducted women, men, and children from Ngoshe, as well as the release of 11 fisherwomen kidnapped in Askira Uba.
According to Yati, those operations have provided a glimmer of hope that the remaining captives can also be located and rescued.
"We sincerely appreciate the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies for the successes recorded in recent rescue operations," he stated.
"When we hear that other victims have regained their freedom, we celebrate with their families. But our joy remains incomplete because our own loved ones are still missing."
He stressed that the successful rescue missions demonstrate that it is possible for the government and security agencies to locate and recover abducted persons, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
The coalition of families used the press conference to make a direct appeal to key government officials and security stakeholders, urging them to prioritize efforts to locate and rescue the 13 travellers.
Among those specifically mentioned were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, Hon. Midala Usman Balami, Hon. Ahmed Usman Jaha, the Nigerian Army, and all relevant security agencies.
The families pleaded with authorities not to allow the case to fade from public attention amid numerous security challenges confronting the region.
They called for intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and coordinated rescue efforts aimed at identifying the location of the captives and securing their safe return.
"Our appeal is simple," Yati said. "Please do not forget our families. Every passing day feels like an eternity. We are begging those in positions of authority to do everything possible to bring our loved ones home alive."
The incident has once again highlighted persistent security concerns along major highways in Borno State despite years of military offensives against insurgent groups.
Travellers, transport operators, and residents have repeatedly raised alarms about attacks, ambushes, kidnappings, and other security threats along certain routes linking communities within the state.
Security analysts note that while the military has recorded significant gains against insurgent groups in recent years, sporadic attacks on rural communities and highways continue to pose challenges to efforts aimed at restoring complete security in the region.
The Biu–Buratai–Kamuya road, where the abduction reportedly occurred, has long been considered a vulnerable corridor due to insurgent activities in surrounding areas.
As the ordeal enters its third month, relatives of the abducted travellers say they are determined not to lose hope.
Many continue to gather for prayers, support one another emotionally, and hold onto the belief that their loved ones can still be rescued safely.
For them, the issue is no longer merely a security statistic or another incident in the long-running insurgency crisis. It is a deeply personal tragedy affecting mothers, fathers, spouses, children, and entire communities.
Behind every name on the list of abductees is a family living through uncertainty, desperately longing for reunion and closure.
As they marked 60 days since the abduction, their message to the government remained clear, emotional, and urgent:
"We are not asking for miracles. We are asking for action. Our loved ones are somebody's parents, children, husbands, wives, brothers, and sisters. Please do not abandon them. Bring them home alive."
For the families, the hope of seeing their loved ones return safely remains the only light amid two months of pain, fear, and unending waiting.
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