A group of Boko Haram called Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad has given the Nigerian government a 72-hour ultimatum. If the government doesn’t meet its demands, the group says it will kill 416 hostages, most of whom are women and children.
SaharaReporters got a video of a masked group spokesperson announcing the ultimatum and saying that the countdown had begun.
“We are a group of people from Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad… Imam Abu Mu’min al-Muhajir is our leader. The spokesperson said, “It is April 19, 2026.”
He said that the message was meant for a number of people, including the Nigerian government and a group called the Borno South Youth Alliance.
The insurgents said that both sides had already made demands and that there would be no changes.
“We are giving you 72 hours.” The spokesperson said, “Don’t add or change anything beyond what we’ve told you if you don’t do what we’ve told you.”
He made it clear that not following his orders would have deadly results.
He said, “If these demands are not met within seventy-two hours, we will begin to execute the women and small children… they will be shot.”
The group also warned the police not to try to save the people.
The insurgent said, “If you try to get them back by force, it will only make things worse.”
He repeated how serious the threat was and said, “This is not a bluff; we are not people who make empty threats; we act on what we say.”
There has been no official response from the Federal Government to the ultimatum as of the time this report was written.
Leader of BOSYA Makes Emotional Plea
In response to the news, Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance, called on high-ranking government officials to take action right away.
He asked President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to step in.
“The government hasn’t gotten in touch with us yet…” Kaigama said, “The federal government hasn’t said anything yet.”
Kaigama said he had tried to get in touch with the authorities and help the victims get free.
“I’m just a middleman…” “I went to places that a lot of young people like me will never go to because I want to save these people’s lives,” he said.
He also asked powerful people, like business leaders, to support efforts to free the captives.
