Thirteen girls were abducted on Saturday while working on a communal farm in Huyim village under Askira/Uba local government area of Borno State.
Reports, said the women were taking part in a long-standing community practice where groups gather to help one another during farming activities.
The attackers, believed to be Boko Haram insurgents, arrived while the girls were harvesting crops and took them away.
Twelve of the victims were between 15 and 20 years old, while one was above 20.
An elderly woman managed to escape and later provided security agencies with intelligence on the incident.
Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira confirmed the attack, saying the victims were abducted in the Mussa district of Askira/Uba.
Abdullahi, who represents Askira-Uba constituency, said the women were harvesting their crops when the attackers struck, according to the reports.
The abduction has drawn concern from traditional and community leaders across the area.
Samaila Abdulaziz Satumari, the Yarima of Uba Emirates Council, described the incident as “heartbreaking” in a statement issued by his media office on Sunday.
Satumari said the victims were contributing to their families’ livelihood and the community’s food production before they were taken.
He urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and prioritize the safe return of the abducted women.
“Our mothers, sisters, and daughters should never have to face the horror of terrorism while working on their farms,” he said.
“We must act swiftly to ensure their safe rescue and protect other vulnerable communities from similar attacks,” he added.
Satumari called on both state and federal governments to strengthen security presence in rural areas and improve intelligence gathering.
He also urged closer collaboration with vigilantes, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and community leaders to prevent further incidents.
The traditional leader appealed to residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious movements to security operatives.
He warned that the attack threatens local agriculture because women form a major part of the farming workforce in Askira/Uba.
He said any disruption to their safety affects food security, family income, and community stability.
The abduction comes amid heightened security concerns across the state following recent attacks and ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, confirmed the incident and said more details would be provided.
