TheCable

A Nigerian identified as Ibrahim Adeola has reportedly been captured by the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS).

Adeola was kidnapped alongside Ghanaian Kofi Sekyere and Egyptian Bekhit Ebeid.

The notorious group published the international passports of the men – all Christians – on social media.

The kidnapping took place in Noufliyah, an ISIS stronghold southeast of the city of Sirte, according to a resident, who does not want to be named.

Mohamed El Hejazi, a military spokesman loyal to the internationally-recognised government based in the east, also said the abduction happened in the small town.

The militant group has expanded in the North African country by exploiting chaos and a security vacuum like it did in Iraq and Syria.

The group is known for beheading its captives.

Adeola’s passport — issued on January 21, 2012 and set to expire on January 20, 2017 — shows he was born in Imo state on May 24, 1979.

In March, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS, the Nigerian sect releasing an audio statement on its Twitter account, saying: “We are sending you this message, following what Allah said in his Quran: And hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah and not be divided among ourselves.

“And what the prophet said; whoever died and had not Imam, died by ignorance. In submission to the order of Allah ‘Azza wa jal’, and submission to order of the prophet peace be upon him, we announce our allegiance to the caliphate of the Muslims Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al-Husseini al-Qurashi and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against and not to dispute about the rule with those in power except in the case of infidelity.”