A faction of Boko Haram has denied reports of a secret ceasefire and ransom agreement with the Nigerian government, dismissing claims that it negotiated with authorities in exchange for the release of abducted civilians.
The denial was contained in a seven-minute video released on September 13, in which a man identified by HumAngle as Mallam Abdulrahman, described as the Sharia judge of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (JAS) faction, rejected reports of any reconciliation or ceasefire arrangement.
Speaking first in Arabic and later in Hausa, Abdulrahman repeatedly described the reports as false.
His statement came days after The New Humanitarian reported that a temporary ceasefire between the Nigerian government and JAS had allegedly been in place since June following negotiations linked to the release of 360 civilians abducted from Ngoshe in Borno State.
In the video, Abdulrahman said the group only became aware of the reported ceasefire through media reports shortly before the recording.
He portrayed the reports as politically motivated, suggesting that they were being circulated during Nigeria’s election season to influence public perception.
The Boko Haram figure acknowledged that reconciliation is recognised within Islam but insisted that no such agreement had been reached between the group and the Nigerian government.
The statement appears to represent a direct rejection of the reported negotiations, although it does not independently establish whether contacts or discussions may have occur
The reported ceasefire followed the release of 360 civilians abducted from Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The New Humanitarian reported that three people with contacts among Boko Haram members, including some senior figures, independently said a truce had been operating since June. Two sources also said attacks around Ngoshe had stopped after the reported agreement.
The report linked the alleged ceasefire to negotiations that facilitated the release of the abducted civilians.
However, the Nigerian government has denied paying the reported ₦5 billion ransom allegedly associated with the release.
Al Jazeera, which reported on the investigation, said it was unable to independently verify either the alleged ceasefire or the ransom payment.
The reported truce has remained officially unconfirmed.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters declined to comment publicly on the allegation when approached by The Guardian after The New Humanitarian’s report.
The reported arrangement also appears to concern a specific JAS faction rather than all armed groups operating under the broader Boko Haram umbrella. The New Humanitarian identified Ibrahim Bakura Doro as the overall commander associated with the JAS structure and noted the existence of multiple factions operating in northeastern Nigeria.
This distinction is important because Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are separate militant organisations, despite both operating in the Northeast.
In the video, Abdulrahman also invoked the ideological legacy of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in 2009, and former leader Abubakar Shekau, who died in 2021.
He presented the current leadership under the name Imam Abu Umaima, associated in reporting with Bakura Doro, as continuing the group’s longstanding opposition to the Nigerian political system
The new video adds another layer to an already disputed account of developments around Ngoshe.
On one side, The New Humanitarian cited multiple sources who said a temporary ceasefire had been operating since June and linked it to negotiations surrounding the release of 360 abducted civilians.
On the other, the Boko Haram figure in the new video has publicly denied that his faction entered such an agreement.
The Nigerian government has also denied paying the alleged ransom, while Nigerian military authorities have not publicly confirmed the reported ceasefire.
As a result, the precise nature of any contacts, negotiations or temporary reduction in hostilities around Ngoshe remains contested.
The most significant indication may ultimately come from developments on the ground, particularly whether the relative calm reported around the affected communities continues or whether attacks resume.
For now, the video establishes that a faction claiming to speak for JAS is aware of the ceasefire reports and has publicly rejected them.
