Twelve female farmers have been abducted by suspected Boko Haram members in Mussa district, located in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were reportedly taken while returning from their farmlands around 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Confirming the development, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said the command has begun investigating the incident.
“There was an abduction yesterday in Askira-Uba. Twelve females were taken by suspected Boko Haram terrorists while they were returning from the farm,” Daso stated.
He urged residents to remain calm, assuring that security agencies are already taking action.
“The details are still sketchy, but efforts are underway and updates will be made public,” he added.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said families of the victims raised the alarm when the women failed to return home at the expected time.
“The news reached us around 5 p.m. yesterday after their relatives couldn’t find them. We have informed our lawmakers, traditional rulers, and security agencies,” the resident said.
The incident adds to the increasing cases of abduction across the country, with states such as Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger still battling kidnappings, including the capture of schoolchildren by criminal groups.
