Boko Haram issues 72-hour ultimatum, demands ₦5bn for 416 captives in Borno

Boko Haram terrorists have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, demanding ₦5 billion for the release of 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Borno State, warning that failure to meet their terms would result in the victims being dispersed to undisclosed locations where they may never be found.

The threat was delivered in a video obtained in the early hours of Monday, in which the terrorists — dressed in military camouflage — dared the government to attempt a forceful rescue, declaring they were battle-ready for any military intervention.

“If the government believes it can rescue them by force, you are free to try.

“We depend on Allah,” a spokesperson for the group said in the video, which was delivered in Hausa with English subtitles.

The group, identifying itself as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidwatu Wal-Jihad under Imam Abu, addressed the message to the Borno South Youths Alliance and the federal government, which it said it does not recognise.

“Today, 19th April 2026, we are issuing a new message. 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.

“All of them,” the group’s message read.

The ransom demand was confirmed by the President of the Borno South Youths Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, who has been serving as intermediary between the terrorist group and the families of the victims.

“On 19th April 2026, Boko Haram reportedly issued a 72-hour ultimatum regarding ongoing mediation efforts for the release of the 416 Ngoshe women and children in their custody,” Kaigama said in a statement, adding that the ₦5 billion ransom demand was communicated through what the terrorists described as a “final warning” video.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and prominent northern billionaires including Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu to urgently intervene and exhaust every lawful means to secure the victims’ freedom.

The abduction dates to March 4, when Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in Ngoshe, burning operational vehicles, dispersing troops, killing an unspecified number of people, and carting away several residents.

The group had on April 10 displayed the captives in an earlier video, with BOSYA confirming at the time that negotiations were underway.

The Nigerian government had not issued an official response to the ultimatum as of the time of filing this report.