The Nigerian Army has appealed for stronger community cooperation following the successful rescue of 12 teenage girls abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims, aged 15 to 20, were kidnapped on 23 November while harvesting crops on their family farmlands.
They were rescued on Saturday, 29 November, in a swift, intelligence-driven operation conducted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in southern Borno.
According to the Army, the girls have been moved to a secure military facility where they are receiving medical evaluation, psychological care, and debriefing.
They will be reunited with their families once all procedures are completed.
Their rescue has brought significant relief to the affected community, which had been anxious since the abduction.
The rescued girls are: 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).
The Army commended the resilience of the troops and highlighted the crucial role played by security stakeholders and local informants, whose timely intelligence made the operation possible.
It added that troops are continuing aggressive operations against ISWAP remnants in southern Borno to prevent further attacks and protect civilians.
Reporting by Mary Fatile