21 bus passengers kidnapped near restive Iraqi town

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

BAQUBA, Iraq (AFP) — A group of armed men set up a fake checkpoint north of Iraq's restive town of Baquba and kidnapped 21 civilians travelling in two minibuses on Tuesday, police said.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Najim al-Sumaidaie from Baquba told AFP the checkpoint was set up in an area called Al-Adaim, 60 kilometres (35 miles) north of Baquba in the Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad.

"At about 10:00 am (0700 GMT) several armed men stopped a minibus carrying 11 men and three women at the checkpoint. They released the women but abducted the men," Sumaidaie said.

He said minutes later another minibus was stopped by the kidnappers and 10 men travelling in it were also abducted.

"All the 21 men were taken away in the same minibuses," Sumaidaie said....