- Boko Haram Releases Video of 416 Abducted Ngoshe Residents
- Victims appeal to Nigerian leaders for urgent rescue intervention
- Group confirms 416 people currently held in insurgent captivity
A faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, has released a video showing 416 abducted residents of Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, claiming the victims are alive and in stable condition.
The six minute, 43 second video, obtained on Thursday, showed mostly women and children, along with a few men, as members of the group addressed concerns about their welfare.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Teenagers Attempt Bomb Attack At Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
- APC Elects New National Executives, Full List Emerges
- Why I Resigned As Kano Deputy Governor – Gwarzo
EKO HOT BLOG reports that a spokesman for the insurgents said the footage was released following a request by the Borno South Youths Alliance, which he described as acting as a mediator since the abduction.
“We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaimatul Muhajjir. We are here to clear a few issues as requested by the organisation, Borno South Youths Alliance.
“As you can see, they are fine, we do not harm them or rape them. We are doing this because religion taught us so,” he said.
In the video, one of the abducted women confirmed that the victims were alive and receiving care, though she expressed concern over their prolonged captivity and separation from their families.
“We are the people of Ngoshe who were abducted during the last attack. We are grateful to Allah, we are hale and healthy with women and children.
“Some of the sick people here are treated, given medicine and taken care of. Some of our children are brought here without clothes and are given clothes to wear. We thank God. They gave us where to sleep and provided us with food.”
She, however, said the victims remained anxious about their relatives at home.
“We thank God. The truth is, we are restless and worried about our families and relatives well being. Some were killed by airforce bombs. Some were affected by different calamities. Some of our families don’t even know whether we are dead or alive, but we are grateful this video will show signs of life and health,” she said.
The woman appealed to Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Senator Ali Ndume, and the Gwoza Local Government chairman to intervene and secure their release.
“We want to return to our home because we are not used to staying away from our homes. Our children and parents are all worried, and it’s very difficult to leave here,” she added.
Confirming the development, the Borno South Youths Alliance said 416 victims were currently being held by the insurgents.
In a statement issued late Thursday, the group’s president, Samaila Kaigama, said the figure was obtained after days of engagement and humanitarian appeals.
“The Borno South Youth Alliance wishes to inform the public that we have been actively and discreetly mediating for the release of our Southern Borno brothers and sisters who were abducted when insurgents overran Ngoshe.
“Following days of engagement, discussions, and humanitarian appeals, we were provided with an official figure of 416 victims currently alive in captivity by the abductors.”
Kaigama noted that the figure differed from earlier reports, which he said underestimated the scale of the abduction. He stressed that the group’s involvement was not an endorsement of insurgency but an effort to give victims a voice and pursue lasting solutions.
“We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that BOSYA does not support terrorism, insurgency, or the abduction of innocent civilians.
“However, as representatives of our people, we are prepared to take bold and necessary steps in pursuit of solutions, especially lasting solutions to the persistent insecurity affecting our region.”
He called on the government to act with urgency, citing similar interventions in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states where abducted victims were freed through mediation.
“We therefore expect equal urgency and commitment in addressing the plight of the Ngoshe victims. No region or group of citizens should be treated with less priority,” he said.
Kaigama also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, to support efforts aimed at securing the release of the captives, many of whom are women, children, and elderly persons in vulnerable conditions.
