Outrage has followed a video released by Boko Haram, in which the group issued an ultimatum to the federal government to meet its demands for the release of over 400 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were kidnapped in March 2026 after fighters of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a faction of Boko Haram, attacked the community.
In a video released on Sunday and shared via the Facebook page of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), a voice in the background described the message as a final warning to the Nigerian government and the group, insisting that the demands must be met.
The voice warned that the abducted women and children would be dispersed to different locations and might never be reunited with their families if the conditions are not fulfilled within 72 hours.
According to BOSYA, the insurgents are demanding N5 billion as ransom for the victims’ release.
In a statement on Monday, the group called on Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Babagana Zulum, Aliko Dangote, and other philanthropists to help secure the victims’ freedom.
“Borno South Youth Alliance wishes to inform the public and the international community that on 19th April 2026, Boko Haram reportedly issued a 72-hour ultimatum concerning ongoing mediation efforts for the release of the 416 Ngoshe women and children said to be in their captivity,” the statement reads.
“According to information received during the mediation process led by BOSYA President, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, a final warning video was sent after demands were communicated, including a ransom request of ₦5 Billion for the release of the abducted women and children.
“It was also stated that instructions regarding how the release process would be carried out were communicated.”
Earlier in April, the insurgents released another video showing some of the abducted women appealing to political leaders for rescue.
Recently, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume urged President Tinubu to intensify efforts to secure the release of the over 400 abducted residents of Ngoshe.
The mass abduction followed an attack on the community in March, which resulted in multiple deaths and the kidnapping of residents.
In a prior statement, President Tinubu had expressed condolences to families of those who lost loved ones, including military personnel, during the attack.
