MADUGURI: Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Nigerian authorities and stakeholders, demanding a ₦5 billion ransom for the release of 416 villagers abducted from Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a report, the demand was contained in a viral video allegedly released by the insurgents, in which their leader, identified as Mallam Abu, warned against any military rescue attempt and threatened severe consequences if their conditions were not met.
The group reportedly cautioned that failure to comply within the deadline could result in the victims mostly women and children being harmed or killed.
We are giving you a 72-hour ultimatum… if you fail, we are going to share the women and children, the group allegedly stated in the video, while warning security forces against intervention.
The terrorists also insisted that an attempt at a forceful rescue would worsen the situation, claiming they are acting with the fear of Allah.
In response, the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) has appealed to the federal government, state authorities, and wealthy individuals including philanthropists to urgently intervene in securing the release of the abductees.
The group specifically called on President Bola Tinubu, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and prominent business figures such as Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu, urging them to support efforts to resolve the crisis.
BOSYA described the situation as critical, stating that mediation efforts were already underway before the latest ultimatum was issued.
The incident has heightened fears over renewed mass abductions in the North-East, a region that has faced prolonged insurgency by Boko Haram and its affiliates for over a decade.
Security agencies have yet to issue an official detailed response to the latest claims, but operations in affected areas are expected to intensify as authorities assess the credibility of the threat and coordinate rescue efforts.
