Twelve female teenagers abducted by suspected Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) members in Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State remain in captivity, according to officials who confirmed the incident on Sunday, 23 November 2025.
According to Daily Trust, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abdullahi Askira, who represents the Askira-Uba constituency, said the victims, aged between 15 and 20 years, were seized while harvesting crops in the Mussa farming area.
Askira explained that the girls were among residents relocated from Huyim to Mussa due to security concerns.
“One of the victims managed to escape and has been reunited with her family,” he said. “But the other 12 victims are still in the custody of the abductors.”
He noted that both Huyim and Mussa are farming communities, and the relocation was meant to provide safer access to livelihoods.
The Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, condemned the attack and urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
He described the abduction as “deeply distressing and profoundly unacceptable”, adding that it followed a series of recent violent incidents in the region.
“The protection of lives and property remains the primary and non-negotiable duty of government,” Ndume said.
“My prayer is that the abducted girls return safely and peace is restored to every community.”
He also appealed to residents to support security agencies with credible information and continue to pray for the safe return of the missing teenagers.
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