A Boko Haram group, identified as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), has released a video showing the condition of 416 abducted residents of Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, claiming the victims are alive, healthy, and not subjected to abuse.
In the video, obtained on Thursday, the group displayed and spoke with the victims mostly women and children, alongside a few men.
Speaking in the six-minute, 43-second clip, a member of the group said the footage was produced at the request of the Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA), which he said has been acting as a mediator since the abduction.
The spokesperson, who did not disclose his identity, said, “We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) 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 (BOSYA). As you can see, they (victims) are fine, we do not harm them or rape them. We are doing this because religion taught us so.”
He added, “Without wasting time, we will now turn the camera to them to speak as requested and ordered by our leader.”
One of the female victims, who spoke in the video, said they were in stable condition and receiving basic care.
“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 were brought here without clothes and have been given clothes. We thank God. They gave us a place to sleep and provided food,” she said.
She, however, expressed concern about their families and appealed for help.
“We are worried about our families. Some were killed by air force bombs, others affected by different calamities. Many don’t know whether we are alive or dead. We are grateful this video shows we are alive.
“We call on all Nigerian leaders—from President Bola Tinubu to Kashim Shettima, Babagana Zulum, Senator Ali Ndume, and all Gwoza leaders—to come to our aid. We want to return home. It is difficult for us to remain here.”
Meanwhile, BOSYA confirmed that 416 victims are currently in captivity.
In a statement issued late Thursday, the group’s president, Samaila Kaigama, said the figure was obtained after days of engagement and humanitarian discussions with the abductors, noting that it differs from earlier reports that underestimated the number.
“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 abducted when insurgents attacked Ngoshe.
“Following days of engagement and appeals, we were given an official figure of 416 victims currently alive in captivity,” the statement read.
The group stressed that its mediation efforts do not support insurgency but are aimed at amplifying the voices of the victims.
“We wish to state clearly that BOSYA does not support terrorism or the abduction of innocent civilians. However, we are committed to pursuing solutions to the insecurity affecting our region.
“The voices of the kidnapped victims must be heard both nationally and globally.”
Kaigama called for urgent government intervention, citing similar cases in states like Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi, where abductees regained freedom following mediation efforts.
“We expect the same urgency in addressing the plight of the Ngoshe victims. Their freedom and safety are non-negotiable,” he said.
He also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations and global leaders, to support efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.
Recall that on March 4, insurgents attacked a military base in Ngoshe, destroyed operational vehicles, overpowered security forces, killed several people, and abducted residents.
