ISWAP Militants Seize Teenage Girls in Borno Farmland Raid
Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) fighters have carried out another disturbing abduction in Northeast Nigeria, seizing 13 female teenagers from their farmland in Borno State. The attack occurred in the Mussa district of Askira-Uba local government area, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing rural communities in the region.
Confirmed by Borno Lawmaker
Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, officially confirmed the incident to journalists. The lawmaker, who represents Askira-Uba constituency, provided crucial details about the abduction that has left families in anguish.
The victims, aged between 15 and 20 years, were engaged in harvesting their crops in the Mussa farming area when the assailants struck. This agricultural community had previously been considered relatively secure compared to neighboring areas.
Relocation Program Turns Tragic
According to Assemblyman Abdullahi, the tragic incident involved victims who were part of a government relocation initiative. Residents from Huyim community had been moved to Mussa due to security concerns and lack of access to protection in their original settlement.
"The victims are among those relocated to a relatively peaceful community of Mussa to earn means of their livelihoods through joint community farming," Abdullahi explained. The relocation was intended to provide safer conditions for agricultural activities, which serve as the primary livelihood for most families in the area.
One Escape Brings Hope
In a development that offers some hope, one of the abducted teenagers managed to escape from her captors. The brave young woman was successfully reunited with her family on Sunday morning, according to the deputy speaker's account.
However, the fate of the remaining 12 victims remains uncertain, with their whereabouts completely unknown. Families and community members are living in fear as search efforts continue amid the challenging security situation in the region.
Ongoing Security Concerns
This latest abduction underscores the continuing vulnerability of rural communities in Borno State despite government efforts to improve security. The incident in Mussa district demonstrates that terrorist groups like ISWAP remain active and capable of striking soft targets.
Local authorities face significant challenges in protecting widely dispersed farming communities, where residents must regularly venture into fields that provide cover for militants. The attack has raised fresh concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures in protecting civilians, particularly women and young people engaged in essential agricultural work.
