By Tofunmi Great
A faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government over 416 residents of Ngoshe community abducted from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, warning that the captives would be dispersed to undisclosed locations if its demands are not met.
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In a video obtained on Monday, the group delivered the ultimatum dated April 19, 2026, daring the government to attempt a forceful rescue and stating it was battle-ready if negotiations failed.
The message, delivered in Hausa with English subtitles, read in part: “This is our first and final message. We are giving you 72 hours. If our demands are not met, we will move these victims, including women and children, to different locations. You may never see them again.”
The Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA), which has been acting as a mediator since the abduction, confirmed that the group issued a ₦5 billion ransom demand alongside the ultimatum video, described by the terrorists as a “final warning.”
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The crisis dates to early March, when insurgents attacked Ngoshe community shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan, overwhelming the military formation, killing an unspecified number of civilians, soldiers and insurgents, and abducting scores of residents.
On April 10, the group released a separate proof-of-life video showing the captives, mostly women and children, seated in an open area while being interviewed by their captors.
BOSYA President Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, in a statement, renewed appeals to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, urging urgent intervention.
The alliance also called on the international community, the United Nations, and global leaders to support efforts toward the safe and immediate release of all captives, noting that infants, young children, elderly individuals, and women in fragile condition were among those held.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has separately called on the federal government to take urgent and prompt action, describing it as “appalling” that authorities had not met the expectations of the people in fulfilling the constitutional duty of securing lives and property.
There has been no official response from the Defence Headquarters or the federal government as of press time.
