A faction of the extremist group Boko Haram, known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, has released a video showing dozens of abducted residents from Ngoshe in Borno State, claiming the captives are alive and in stable condition.
The footage, which surfaced on Thursday, features the victims—mostly women and children, along with a few men—being addressed and interviewed by members of the group. In the recording, a spokesperson for the insurgents said the video was produced following a request from the Borno South Youths Alliance, a group reportedly involved in mediation efforts since the abduction.
The unidentified spokesman claimed the captives had not been harmed, stating they were being cared for in line with the group’s beliefs. He then allowed some of the victims to speak.
One of the abducted women confirmed they were taken during an ആക്രമation on their community and said they had received food, clothing, and basic medical attention while in captivity. Despite this, she expressed deep concern about their families and uncertainty about conditions back home, noting that some relatives may have been affected by military operations and other crises.
She appealed to national and local leaders, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene and secure their release, stressing that the victims were eager to return to their homes and reunite with their loved ones.
The Borno South Youths Alliance later confirmed that 416 individuals are currently being held by the insurgents. In a statement, the group’s president, Samaila Kaigama, explained that the figure was obtained after days of dialogue and humanitarian engagement with the abductors, noting that earlier reports had underestimated the number.
Kaigama emphasized that the group’s involvement is purely humanitarian and not an endorsement of insurgency. He said their goal is to amplify the voices of the victims and push for a peaceful resolution.
He also urged the Federal Government to act swiftly, pointing out that similar interventions in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi have previously led to the release of kidnapped persons. According to him, the situation in Ngoshe deserves the same level of urgency and commitment.
The group further appealed to international bodies, including the United Nations, to support efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the captives, many of whom are vulnerable individuals such as children, elderly persons, and women in fragile conditions.
The abduction occurred after insurgents attacked Ngoshe on March 4, overrunning a military base, destroying equipment, and taking away residents. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the North-East region, where communities continue to face repeated attacks by armed groups.
