Twelve young women have been released by an armed group in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, after being held captive for a week. The release occurred on Saturday evening, according to a local official.
Abubakar Mahazini, chairman of the Askira-Uba area, confirmed that all the released women have been taken to a hospital for medical checkups. He added that their families have been allowed to reunite with them in a remote area.
The women were abducted last Saturday while working on their farms near a nature reserve, a known haven for armed groups. The victims, all Muslim, are between the ages of 16 and 23. Initially, thirteen women were taken, but one was released earlier after it was revealed she was caring for an infant.
According to Mahazini, no ransom was paid for their release. He stated that the armed group was forced to release the women due to increased pressure from the military.
Borno State has been at the epicenter of a 16-year conflict with Boko Haram. The group gained international notoriety for the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014. While Boko Haram’s influence has waned, it remains a significant threat, along with its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced more than two million Nigerians, according to United Nations estimates.
This incident comes amid a surge in kidnappings across Nigeria in recent weeks. In Niger State, central Nigeria, armed gangs abducted over 300 children from a Catholic school. More than 265 students and teachers remain in captivity.
Nigeria has a history of mass kidnappings, often motivated by ransom demands. These incidents frequently target vulnerable populations in rural areas with poor security measures. This is a developing story. DZWatch will provide updates as they become available.
