The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Askira, has confirmed the abduction of 13 female farmers by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
The attack occurred on Saturday when the women, all from Huyim District, travelled to nearby Mussa District to jointly harvest their crops. Although both communities are in Askira-Uba LGA, residents of Huyim had relocated their farming activities to Mussa due to insecurity and poor accessibility in their home district.
Askira disclosed that one of the abducted women managed to escape and returned home on Sunday morning, but the remaining 12—mostly aged between 15 and 20—are still being held by their abductors at an unknown location.
Reacting to the development, both the Deputy Speaker and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) condemned the attack and urged security agencies to launch an intensified operation to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
They further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue offering timely intelligence to security operatives, while also praying for the safe return of all persons held by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits across the region.
The lawmakers reiterated their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in Borno State.
