ISWAP Abducts 13 Teenage Girls in Borno as Nigeria Grapples With Fresh Wave of Mass Kidnappings
Nigeria is once again confronting the grim reality of mass abductions after members of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) reportedly kidnapped several teenage girls in Borno State. The incident, confirmed by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, has intensified public anxiety amid a disturbing resurgence of coordinated attacks across the country.
Teenage Girls Seized While Working on Farmland
Akahi News learnt that the girls, aged between 15 and 20, were abducted on their farms in Mussa district under Askira-Uba Local Government Area. According to Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Askira, who represents the Askira-Uba constituency, the teenagers had gone to harvest crops when ISWAP fighters launched the attack.
The communities of Huyim and Mussa, both predominantly farming areas, have long faced security threats. Residents of Huyim were earlier relocated to Mussa by the government in search of safety. The victims, all part of the resettled population, relied heavily on communal farming for survival before the tragedy occurred.
One Escapee Reunited With Family
In his statement, Abdullahi revealed to journalists that “one of the victims managed to escape and had been reunited with her family on Sunday morning.” However, 12 others remain in captivity, with their whereabouts still unknown.
Akahi News gathered that families in the district have been left traumatised, waiting for updates as security forces assess the situation.
Senator Ndume Calls for Intensified Rescue Efforts
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, urged the nation’s security architecture to prioritise the safe return of the abducted girls. He appealed to residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious movements, and continue praying for the victims’ rescue.
Observers noted that Ndume’s call echoes a long-standing frustration among communities in the North-East who have endured over a decade of insurgency and mass kidnappings.
A Troubling Pattern of Abductions Across Nigeria
The attack in Askira-Uba adds to a disturbing pattern of mass kidnappings recorded across Nigeria in November 2025. Akahi News gathered that:
- On 21 November 2025, Nigeria witnessed one of its largest single abductions when 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.
- Initial reports placed the figure at 215, but subsequent investigations confirmed a much higher number.
- Days earlier, in Kebbi State, 25 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga.
- On 18 November, 38 worshippers of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State, were seized during an evening service after gunmen opened fire, killing several worshippers including the pastor.
This troubling escalation continues a grim trend rooted in the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, where Boko Haram seized 276 girls, sparking worldwide outrage. Since then, mass kidnappings have evolved into a dangerous tactic adopted by multiple terror and criminal groups across northern Nigeria.
Growing Concerns Over National Security
Security analysts believe the series of attacks reflect both the resilience and adaptability of insurgent networks in the region. The porous nature of rural communities, inadequate surveillance, and delayed response from security agencies have all contributed to the rising frequency of such incidents.
Communities like Askira-Uba, which have endured years of displacement and instability, remain particularly vulnerable.
Akahi News gathered that residents are pleading for increased military presence and sustained counter-insurgency operations to protect farming communities whose lives depend on access to the land.
The abduction of 13 teenage girls in Mussa district is a painful reminder of Nigeria’s enduring security crisis. As families in Borno mourn, and others across the country grapple with fresh kidnappings, the nation faces renewed calls for urgent, coordinated, and sustained action.
With communities still waiting for updates and security leaders pledging intensified operations, Nigerians continue to hope for the safe return of all abducted victims.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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