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Boko Haram Threatens To Kill 416 Captives In 72 Hours, Demands N5bn Ransom
A faction of Boko Haram has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening to execute 416 captives—mostly women and children—unless its demands are met.
The warning, accompanied by a video released on April 20, 2026, included a ransom demand of N5 billion for the release of hostages abducted from Ngoshe in Borno State.
The captives were taken during a March 4, 2026 attack on a military base in Ngoshe, located in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the video, a masked spokesman warned that failure to meet the demands would result in the deaths of the captives or their relocation to undisclosed locations.
The group also cautioned against any military rescue attempts, daring authorities to carry out such an operation, and described the ultimatum as its “first and final message.”
As of press time, the Nigerian government has not issued a detailed public response to the video.
Meanwhile, suspected terrorists on Monday invaded the ancient town of Kemanji in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing four soldiers and a member of the local vigilante team.
The latest incident comes amid a resurgence of violent attacks in Kaiama LGA. On April 10, 2026, bandits reportedly killed five members of the National Forest Guard in Nuku village and set security patrol vehicles ablaze.
Similarly, in February, armed assailants attacked Woro and Nuku communities in the same area, where over 200 residents were reportedly killed and 176 others abducted, including women and children.
The incident, which was confirmed by members of the community, occurred in the early hours of Monday when gunmen attacked security operatives, leading to heavy gunfire.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists in Ilorin that the attack was sudden and violent.
He said, “Bandits invaded Kemanji this morning around 3:00 a.m. Our security agents—the army and local vigilantes—engaged them in an intense gun battle that lasted until 5:00 a.m.
“They killed some of our soldiers. We still cannot determine how disastrous the attack was until daybreak. Until then, pray for the departed soldiers.”
Another community member confirmed the attack, saying, “There was heavy gunfire this morning in Kemanji. Four gallant soldiers were killed, and one vigilante was shot.”
The assailants, suspected to be armed terrorists, reportedly stormed the community without warning, engaging security operatives in a fierce gun battle that resulted in casualties among military personnel and local defenders.
Residents reportedly fled their homes during the attack, seeking safety in nearby bushes and neighbouring communities as the gunfire intensified.
As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether anyone was abducted during the attack, as authorities have yet to issue an official statement.
Reacting to the incident, a prominent community member and former President of the Students’ Union Government, A.K. Musa, decried the worsening insecurity and called for decisive action.
“The true representation of leadership is to have leaders who can speak, stand, and fight against insecurity, and identify those connected to the criminals terrorising our community. I must appreciate our local security men. May Allah reward them,” he said.
“All political office holders and those aspiring to office should first speak out and stand for the community they seek to represent, because our people are dying.”
He further urged both political and traditional leaders in Kaiama to address the situation urgently.
“Kaiama community leaders, both political and traditional, must come forward to address the security situation. What is happening now suggests that our leaders have failed us.”
Musa also stressed the need for accountability, insisting that leaders who cannot defend the people should step aside.
“I say this without apology: any leader, either political or traditional, who cannot stand for their people should resign. We have waited too long without results. What we want and need are tangible results,” he added.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Kwara State Police Command and military authorities have so far been unsuccessful.
However, a senior police officer at the Kaiama Divisional Police Headquarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, just as he called for calm, noting that security agencies were working around the clock to ensure the protection of lives and property in the area.
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