Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully rescued 12 girls abducted by ISWAP terrorists in Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims, all aged between 15 and 20, were kidnapped on Nov. 23 while harvesting crops on their family farmlands.
The incident triggered panic across the district, forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring communities.
The rescued girls 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).
They were freed on Saturday, 29 November, following a swift, intelligence-led operation by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the southern Borno axis.
According to the military, the victims have since been moved to a secure military location for medical evaluation and profiling, after which they will be reunited with their families.
The military high command commended the doggedness of the troops for their swift response and acknowledged the crucial support of security stakeholders and local informants whose timely information enabled the successful rescue.
Troops continue to pursue ISWAP remnants across southern Borno to prevent further attacks and safeguard civilians.
The Nigerian Army calls on communities to continue supporting ongoing operations by providing credible and timely information, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are essential to defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting security.
The rescue comes amid renewed military offensives in the southern Borno axis, where troops have intensified clearance operations against ISWAP remnants responsible for recurrent attacks and abductions.
Parents of the abducted girls expressed relief, describing the development as a “major emotional breakthrough” after a week of uncertainty and fear.
