A teenage girl kidnapped alongside 13 others in Mussa District of Borno State has regained her freedom, raising cautious hope in a community shaken by fear and uncertainty.
Security officials confirmed the development on Sunday, explaining that the girl fled her captors during a coordinated rescue push by multiple security units.
The abduction occurred on November 22, when armed militants stormed farmlands in Askira/Uba Local Government Area and seized the girls while they worked.
Police authorities said the alert initially came from the district head of Huyum, who reported that 14 girls had been taken during a sudden afternoon raid.
The attackers reportedly ambushed the farmers around 3:30 p.m., leaving families scrambling for answers.
A combined team of police operatives, military troops, civilian JTF members and local vigilantes immediately moved into the surrounding bush paths to track the kidnappers.
According to the police spokesperson, “The immediate response was crucial. Our teams acted swiftly, and that gave one of the victims the window she needed to escape.”
The rescued girl, officials said, was found unharmed and has since been reunited with authorities for debriefing and medical checks.
Meanwhile, search operations have expanded deeper into remote enclaves believed to be used by insurgent groups.
Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, called for stronger community cooperation as the mission continues.
“We are urging residents to stay alert and share timely information. Every tip matters at this point,” he said.
He also appealed to farmers and rural dwellers to work within areas covered by active patrols, stressing that vigilance remains essential during the ongoing security operations.
Abdulmajid added that updates on the rescue efforts would be released as new developments emerge.
The escape of one victim has offered a glimmer of relief, yet the tense atmosphere in Mussa District underscores the broader security concerns confronting rural communities across Borno.
Continued rescue efforts are expected to intensify in the coming days, signalling a determined push to bring the remaining girls home.