Twelve women have been abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the Mussa district of Askira-Uba Local Government Area in Borno State.
The victims were reportedly seized on Saturday around 5 p.m. while returning from their farmlands, sparking fear across the community.
Confirming the development on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Nahum Daso, told PUNCH Online that security agencies were already probing the incident.
“There was an abduction yesterday in Askira-Uba. Twelve females were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists when they were coming back from the farm,” Daso said.
He appealed for calm among residents, assuring that efforts were underway to rescue the victims.
“The details are still sketchy, but I can confirm that security efforts are ongoing. When investigations are concluded, the public will be updated,”he added.
Residents described the situation as alarming and urged authorities to act swiftly. A community member, who asked not to be named, said families became worried when the women failed to return home at the usual time.
“We got the news around 5 p.m. yesterday when their relatives could not trace their whereabouts. As a community, we have informed our elected representatives, traditional rulers, and the security agencies,”the resident said.
The incident adds to a troubling surge in abductions across the country.
States such as Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger are still grappling with similar attacks, with some schoolchildren yet to be released from captivity.
