Boko Haram Desperately Looking For New Members, Kills Nine Travellers

Outlawed Islamist sect Boko Haram has resorted to forcing young people to join its fold as the recent military crackdown on the sect has led to death of several members, the military disclosed yesterday.

Spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Col Muhammadu Dole, told journalists in Maiduguri that the terrorists were now moving around villages and other highways to abduct and forcibly recruit innocent people to replace those killed by troops.

The insurgents, also for the second time in 72 hours, yesterday attacked travellers on the Maiduguri-Biu highway, killing nine of them.

Just last Monday, some travellers were attacked on the same road while three drivers were abducted by the insurgents, after burning their two orange-laden vehicles.

The Borno highways have become a hunting ground for the notorious sect in recent times as scores of passengers have been waylaid and killed. The most notorious of the highways is the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road, which records daily attack on motorists by the militia group.

It was gathered yesterday that many motorists had to make an urgent U-turn when the sect seized control of the now notorious Maiduguri- Damboa- Biu Road.

Some of those compelled to make a forced retreat, told journalists in Maiduguri that the bodies of nine passengers were seen on the highway with their throats slashed.