Army rescues 12 teenage girls abducted in Borno farmlands

The Nigerian Army has rescued 12 teenage girls abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in the Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims aged between 15 and 20 were kidnapped on November 23 while harvesting crops on their family farmlands. Their abduction sparked tension across the southern Borno axis, where farmers have remained targets of insurgent attacks.

The girls were rescued on Saturday, November 29, after troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched a swift, intelligence-driven assault on the terrorists’ hideouts.

In a statement posted late Sunday on the Army Headquarters’ official Facebook page, the military confirmed that the victims had been evacuated to a secure facility where they are undergoing medical checks, psychological evaluation and debriefing.

“Upon completion of these processes, they will be reunited with their families. Their recovery has brought immense relief to the community, which had been gripped by fear following the abduction,” the statement said.

Identities of the Rescued Girls

The rescued teenagers include:

Fatima Shaibu (17)

Fatima Umaru (15)

Hauwa Abubakar (18)

Saliha Muhammed (15)

Sadiya Umaru (17)

Amira Babel (15)

Zara Adamu (17)

Nana Shaibu (15)

Zainab Musa (18)

Zainab Muhammed (17)

Jamila Saidu (15)

Hauwa Hamidu (17)

The military high command hailed the troops for their “doggedness” and credited the success of the rescue to critical intelligence from local informants and security stakeholders.

Troops Pursue ISWAP Remnants

According to the Army, reinforcement teams are still pursuing remnants of ISWAP fighters across the southern Borno belt to prevent further kidnappings and safeguard rural communities.

The statement urged residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing timely and credible information, stressing that “collaboration is essential to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace.”

The rescue operation has since sparked renewed hope among families and communities in the region, where violent extremism has persisted for over a decade.