MAIDUGURI, Borno State – The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Askira, confirmed Sunday the abduction of 13 young female farmers by suspected terrorists in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, urging security forces to mount a swift rescue operation.
The attack occurred in the Mussa community, where the victims—mostly aged 15 to 20—had relocated from the more remote Huyim area for safer joint farming amid ongoing threats. One victim managed to escape and reunited with her family Sunday morning, but the remaining 12 remain in captivity, their whereabouts unknown.
“These young women were simply trying to earn a living through agriculture in a relatively peaceful spot, but insecurity has robbed them of that,” Rt. Hon. Askira said in a statement, describing the incident as a “heartbreaking escalation” in the region’s violence. He called on the military and police to intensify patrols and intelligence efforts to secure their unharmed release.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), whose constituency includes Askira-Uba, echoed the plea, labeling the abductions “unacceptable” and part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on civilians. “Security agencies must act decisively to rescue these girls and restore safety for farmers returning to their fields,” Ndume stated.
The incident follows a spate of violence in the area, including the killing of four farmers in nearby Kwam village earlier this month and the razing of a church in Pemi. Askira-Uba, bordering the Sambisa Forest—a notorious insurgent stronghold—has seen renewed incursions by Boko Haram and its splinter, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), disrupting harvest season and displacing communities.
Local leaders and residents expressed outrage, with women’s groups highlighting the gendered impact of such raids, which often target vulnerable female laborers. As search operations begin, the assemblyman vowed legislative support for enhanced community defenses, emphasizing that “no farmer should fear for their life while feeding the nation.”
