A Nigerian policeman has been kidnapped in the country’s northeast state, Islamic State West Africa Province claimed on Monday.
The Islamic State-backed insurgent group said on its Amaq news agency that the policeman was captured in Babban Gida, Yobe State on Saturday.
A van he was travelling in was also seized by the group.
It is likely that the policeman was captured after the insurgents attacked Babban Gida and burned a section of the Emir of Jajare’s palace.
An eyewitness said the insurgents headed straight for the emir’s palace upon entering the town but the Emir had left the palace before their arrival.
Apart from setting the palace on fire, the hoodlums also went away with a Hilux van belonging to the Emir.
In the set of pictures seen by The Guardian, the policeman, was wearing a Nigeria Police Force uniform and stood beside a white Toyota Hilux van.
The van doesn’t bear any identification of the Nigerian police. The number plate was not visible in the pictures.
The file information on one of the photos shows it was taken at 6:43 pm on October 7. Others were taken the same day and about the same time.
Babban Gida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, lies 50 kilometres from the state capital Damaturu. The town has been repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram extremists.
The Nigerian police authorities have maintained silence over the abduction.
More to come…
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