Boko Haram Ultimatum Expires as 404 Ngoshe Abductees Remain Missing in Borno
Uncertainty has deepened following the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum issued by Boko Haram over the fate of 416 abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, as neither the insurgents nor government authorities have issued any official statement.
PulseNets learnt that 12 of the abducted victims have managed to escape captivity, leaving 404 others still unaccounted for, with their fate hanging in the balance.
The insurgent group had earlier demanded a ransom of N5 billion from both the federal government and the Borno State government, warning that failure to meet their demand could put the lives of the captives at serious risk.
They further issued threats to relocate the abducted victims and resist any form of military intervention, raising fresh concerns over the safety of those still being held.
Sources who spoke to PulseNets in Pulka indicated that the escape occurred during a military operation targeting insurgent enclaves within the area.
One of the escapees reportedly told PulseNets that the insurgents fled amid the operation, abandoning some of the captives while taking others along as they retreated.
The victims were initially abducted during the March 4 attack on a military base and Ngoshe community, an assault that left several residents dead and hundreds taken hostage.
PulseNets reported that a statement issued by the Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed that the 12 escapees, consisting of 10 females and two males, are currently safe in a nearby community. However, the group emphasized that a significant number of victims remain in captivity.
The incident gained broader attention after a faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, released a video on April 20 demanding ransom payment from the government.
Observers who spoke to PulseNets noted that the silence following the expiration of the ultimatum has intensified anxiety among residents, many of whom remain deeply worried about the safety of their relatives still in captivity.
Residents across affected communities are reportedly living in fear, uncertain about the next move of the insurgents, particularly in light of threats to relocate or harm the captives.
Security analysts told PulseNets that the situation underscores the continued vulnerability of rural communities in Borno State, where repeated attacks and mass abductions persistently disrupt livelihoods.
Also Read: US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL Links – OFAC Sanctions List Released
They added that beyond the immediate concern for those abducted, the incident has further eroded trust and heightened fear among residents, many of whom are now calling for more decisive and proactive security measures to prevent future attacks and secure the safe release of those still held.
As uncertainty continues to linger, attention remains focused on the response of relevant authorities and the critical decisions that could ultimately determine the fate of hundreds still in captivity.
