Army rescues 12 abducted teenage girls in Borno

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

The victims, aged 15 to 20, were kidnapped on 23 November while harvesting crops on their family farmlands.

Army authorities said the girls were freed on Saturday, 29 November, after a swift, intelligence-driven operation carried out by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in southern Borno.

The rescued victims have since been moved to a secure military facility, where they are undergoing medical examination, psychological evaluation and debriefing before being reunited with their families.

Those rescued 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 commended the troops for their rapid intervention and acknowledged the vital role of local informants and security partners whose timely intelligence aided the operation.

It assured the public that troops are intensifying efforts to track down fleeing ISWAP elements and prevent further attacks in the area.

The Army also urged residents to continue supporting military operations by providing credible and timely information, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial in the ongoing fight against terrorism.