February 14, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
In the latest sign that the insurgency in northeast Nigeria remains a grave threat to civilian security, five people were abducted on Thursday, February 12, 2026, by suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants at a fish market in Doro Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State.
According to the Borno State Police Command, the victims identified as Sani Boyi, Bullama Dan Umaru, Baba Inusa, Abubakar Jan Boris, and Mallam Shaibu were seized in the early morning while purchasing fresh fish at the market, located near the shores of Lake Chad, a recurrent flashpoint for terrorist activity in the region.
Security forces, including troops from Operation HADIN KAI, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/hunters, and other local responders were deployed immediately following the incident. Search and rescue operations are reported ongoing, as authorities work to trace the abductors and secure the release of the captives.
The abduction reflects continued threats posed by jihadist groups in northeast Nigeria, where Boko Haram and affiliated factions regularly target civilians, often for kidnapping and ransom demands or to exert control over communities and economic activities. Security analysts have warned that markets, highways, and fishing communities remain vulnerable in areas where government presence is limited and militants operate with relative freedom.
The international community has long recognised Boko Haram and ISWAP as extremist organisations responsible for mass kidnappings including the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State and persistent insurgent violence across northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
As the search continues, local authorities have emphasised the need for enhanced intelligence and community cooperation to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent further attacks on civilians in Borno’s fragile security landscape.