Suspected ISWAP terrorists abducted five civilians at Doro Baga’s fish market in Borno State on February 12, 2026, intensifying the region’s ongoing insurgency.
The attackers stormed the busy market around 7 a.m., targeting shoppers who had arrived early to purchase fresh fish.
They seized Alhaji Sani Boyi, Bullama Dan Umaru, Baba Inusa, Abubakar Jan Boris, and Mallam Shaibu, bundling them away to an unknown location and leaving the community in panic.
Residents fled the scene as the terrorists, armed and ruthless, executed their raid in the heart of Kukawa Local Government Area, a hotspot near Lake Chad where fishing sustains many livelihoods.
In response, troops from Sector 3 of Operation Hadin Kai, along with Civilian Joint Task Force members and local hunters, mobilized immediately after distress calls flooded in.
They gathered critical intelligence on the terrorists’ movements and launched search-and-rescue operations to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
However, as of February 13, authorities have not confirmed any rescues or arrests, highlighting the challenges in this volatile terrain.
Meanwhile, conflicting reports emerged about the abduction’s scale and demands.
Some sources indicated the terrorists demanded a N30 million ransom for the release of seven fishermen from the same area, contacting market community members directly.
This discrepancy in numbers—five named victims versus seven reported—underscores the chaos surrounding such incidents, though the core details align on the location and timing.
Furthermore, this abduction fits a disturbing pattern in northeast Nigeria, where ISWAP, a splinter from Boko Haram, has ramped up attacks despite military efforts.
The group targets farmers, fishermen, and traders, exploiting the region’s vulnerabilities around Lake Chad.
Amnesty International estimates over 10,000 abductions since 2009, with recent military operations neutralizing 16 ISWAP terrorists and rescuing 11 victims in nearby areas just days earlier.
Yet, these successes have not stemmed the tide, as insurgents continue to sow terror in communities like Doro Baga.
Security experts warn that without enhanced intelligence sharing and community involvement, such attacks will persist, endangering lives and livelihoods in Borno State.
Authorities vow to intensify operations, but locals remain on edge, calling for urgent reinforcements to reclaim peace in the northeast.
