The Nigerian Army, at the weekend, debunked the reported abduction of travellers on Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway on December 11.
In a statement by Col. Ado Isa, Deputy Director, Public Relations 7 Division/Joint Task Force (Northeast) of Operation Hadin Kai, the Army said the reports were unfounded.
There were reports at the weekend that some travellers were abducted by members of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) on the road.
The Army, in a statement, said the reports were “false and misleading and had the intention to smear the glaring good efforts and achievements of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
“The fact is that members of the terrorist group emerged through the Dole/Bari villages in some vehicles with the intent to mount snap roadblocks to cause havoc and apprehension in the hearts of villagers and commuters,” he said.
But troops on mobile patrol foiled the attempt, Isa said.