Troops under Operation Hadin Kai have secured the freedom of 12 teenage girls who were abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP militants in the Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area in Borno State.
The Nigerian Army revealed the rescue in a statement posted Sunday on its official X handle.
“The Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 12 teenage girls abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State,” the statement read.
The army noted that the girls were freed on Saturday, 29 November, after troops executed a rapid and intelligence-driven mission in the southern part of Borno.
According to the military, the rescued girls were immediately taken to a secured military facility where they are undergoing full medical evaluation, psychological assistance, and operational debriefing.
The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were seized by the insurgents on November 23 while they were harvesting crops on their family farmlands.
“Upon completion of these processes, they will be formally reunited with their families. Their recovery has brought immense relief to the community, which had been gripped by fear following the abduction,” the army stated.
The released victims 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), and Hauwa Hamidu (17).
The Military High Command applauded the troops for their decisive effort and also recognised the valuable input of local informants and security partners whose timely intelligence played a key role in the success of the mission.
“Troops continue to pursue ISWAP remnants across southern Borno to prevent further attacks and safeguard civilians.”
“The Nigerian Army calls on communities to continue supporting ongoing operations by providing credible and timely information, emphasising that collaborative efforts are essential to defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting security,” the statement added.
What You Should Know
The rescue of the 12 teenage girls marks another significant success in ongoing counterterrorism efforts across Borno State.
The government, through enhanced intelligence-gathering networks, increased troop deployment, and intensified clearance operations in vulnerable communities, has strengthened its security measures to curb insurgent activities.
These steps form part of broader strategies aimed at boosting civilian protection and restoring stability in conflict-prone regions.
