Boko Haram Suspected in Abduction of 12 Women in Borno as Northern Kidnappings Surge

Twelve women have been abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the Mussa district of Askira-Uba Local Government Area, Borno State.

The victims were reportedly seized on Saturday evening while returning home from their farms.

Confirming the incident to Channels Television on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said the command has opened an investigation into the attack.

“There was an abduction yesterday — the abduction of 12 females when they were coming back from their farms in Askira-Uba by suspected Boko Haram. The details are still sketchy, but efforts are underway,” Daso said.

The attack adds to a troubling spike in kidnappings and violent assaults across northern Nigeria. Last Monday, gunmen abducted 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, killing the school’s vice principal during the attack.

A day later, more than 300 pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, were taken by bandits. The Catholic Diocese later confirmed that 50 of the abducted children had escaped.

Gunmen also stormed the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Kwara State on the same day, killing three worshippers and abducting 38 others. All the abducted worshippers have since regained freedom, according to the state government.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to confront insecurity nationwide. In a statement on Sunday via his official X handle, the President insisted that he would not relent until every Nigerian is safe.

“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” Tinubu said.

The President praised security agencies for their efforts in rescuing abducted victims, confirming that all 38 worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State had been freed. He also announced that 51 of the more than 300 children abducted in Niger State had been recovered.

Tinubu said he cancelled his planned trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to personally coordinate security operations across the country and receive continuous updates from the frontline.