Attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Northern Borno have crippled the livelihoods of many drivers in the northeast state.

RNI reporter Amina Abbagana interviewed Audu Mustapha Marte at the Baga Motor Park Market in Maiduguri.

Marte, the secretary of the Baga Park Union, said many had lost their jobs because of series of attacks by the insurgents.

He said the insurgents were separated into teams. Some teams abducted drivers, stealing their money and phones, and the others manned collection checkpoints, where they demanded 1 000 naira for people to get past them.

Three drivers on the Gajiram to Baga road had been abducted last week. They were freed on Saturday. He described the route as one of the “most dangerous” roads.

He urged security forces to put in more effort to ensure peace in Borno State.

Alhaji Muhammed Balumi, a businessman a philanthropist, blamed poor roads and lack of security and said if these were improved, no one would get a job driving in northern Borno.

He applauded efforts by the Borno State government to try to ensure peace and urged everyone in the area to pray for peace.

Balumi urge the people of Borno to support the security forces and the state government so that Borno could be restored to “to be the Home of Peace” again.