Suspected Boko Haram members have kidnapped 10 officials of a university research team prospecting for oil in the northeast.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday contractors working as consultants were kidnapped near Jibi village in Borno state on Tuesday afternoon.

NNPC Spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu said, “About 10 members of the University of Maiduguri geology and surveying department were abducted by suspected Boko Haram members,” Ughamadu said.

“The group included academic staff, drivers and other contractors, he said.

The university said some of its lecturers, who were accompanied by security staff, had not returned on Tuesday from a prospecting trip.

Its spokesman said the university was waiting for a report from security agencies.

Azeez