Thirteen teenage girls have been abducted by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West African Province, ISWAP, in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Mussa District, where the girls, aged between 15 and 20, were working on their farmlands when the assailants struck.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the abduction, noting that the victims were taken while harvesting crops.
According to him, residents of Huyim community had earlier been relocated to Mussa due to persistent insecurity, with many of them engaging in joint farming activities to sustain their livelihoods.
“The victims are among those relocated to a relatively peaceful community of Mussa to earn means of their livelihoods through joint community farming,” Mr Askira said.
He added that one of the abducted girls managed to escape and has since reunited with her family, but 12 others remain in captivity, with their whereabouts unknown.
The Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, also confirmed the incident, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims safely.
He appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security operatives by providing prompt information on suspicious movements of terrorists in the area.
Mr Ndume further called on the public to pray for the safe return of the abducted girls, stressing the need for sustained military presence across vulnerable communities.
Reports have it that the latest abduction has raised concerns over the safety of farmers in rural communities, especially during the ongoing harvest season.
Mr Mussa and its surrounding areas remain predominantly agrarian, with limited security presence.
Local leaders have warned that repeated attacks on farming settlements may worsen food insecurity and threaten ongoing rehabilitation efforts for displaced persons across Borno State.
Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement as efforts to locate and rescue the remaining girls continue.
