Boko Haram issues 72-hour ultimatum over 416 captives<\/p>\n
Boko Haram terrorists have released a video daring the Nigerian government to attempt a forceful rescue of 416 abducted victims in Borno State.<\/p>\n
This is as it was warned that if their demands are not met within 72 hours, the victims will be taken to different locations where they may never be seen again.<\/p>\n
Punch correspondent who obtained the video in the early hours of Monday reports that the group said it \u201cwelcomes\u201d any attempt by the government to rescue the victims by force.<\/p>\n
The terrorists, dressed in military camouflage, stated that they are battle-ready if the government chooses force instead of meeting their demands.<\/p>\n
Previous reports from April 10 indicated that Borno South Youth Alliance, (BOSYA), has been in communication with the press and serves as an intermediary between the terrorist group and the affected victims. This was when Boko Haram displayed the abducted victims.<\/p>\n
The message, delivered in Hausa and translated into English on screen, read: \u201cWe are Jama\u2019atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidwatu Wal-Jihad under Imam Abu.<\/p>\n
Today, 19th April 2026, we are issuing a new message to the Borno South Youths Alliance and to the Nigerian government, which we do not recognise as our government. This is our first and final message. We are giving you 72 hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf our demands are not met, we will move these victims, including women and children, to different locations. All of them. You have made your decision, and we have made ours. We instruct you, in the name of Allah, not to exceed the given time.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the group did not state its demands in the video.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd take a look at them before we do so, because you may never see them again. If the government believes it can rescue them by force, you are free to try. We depend on Allah,\u201d the group\u2019s spokesperson added.<\/p>\n
He further stated, \u201cLet this message reach the Borno South Youth Alliance and the Nigerian government. We do not act lightly. This is our message.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier, the group had demanded \u20a65 billion on Sunday night for the release of the victims.<\/p>\n
Confirming this, the President of the Borno South Youths Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, said the demand was communicated through a video described by the terrorists as a \u201cfinal warning.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement read: \u201cBorno 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 regarding ongoing mediation efforts for the release of the 416 Ngoshe women and children in their custody<\/p>\n
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 \u20a65 billion for the release of the abducted women and children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samaila called on the government and concerned Nigerians to prioritise efforts to secure the victims\u2019 release.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn view of the urgency of this humanitarian matter, BOSYA renews its appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, concerned Nigerians, and philanthropists, including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and other well-meaning Northern billionaires.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respectfully call on all capable stakeholders to urgently intervene and use every lawful and available means to secure the freedom of these 416 women and children,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It will be recalled that on March 4, PUNCH Online reported that the group attacked a military base in Ngoshe, burning operational vehicles, dispersing security forces, killing an unspecified number of people, and abducting several others.(Punch)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Boko Haram issues 72-hour ultimatum over 416 captives Boko Haram terrorists have released a video daring the Nigerian government to attempt a forceful rescue of 416 abducted victims in Borno State. This is as it was warned that if their demands are not met within 72 hours, the victims will be taken to different locations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":150397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2901,2902,1616],"class_list":{"0":"post-150390","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-others","8":"tag-boko-haram-terrorists","9":"tag-borno-south-youth-alliance","10":"tag-ultimatum"},"yoast_head":"\n