A faction of Boko Haram, known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening to execute 416 captives—mostly women and children—if its demands are not met. The chilling warning was delivered in a video obtained by SaharaReporters, where a masked spokesperson declared the countdown had begun on April 19, 2026. The group, led by Imam Abu Mu’min al-Muhajir, stated that the ultimatum was directed at both the Nigerian government and the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA). They emphasized that no modifications to their demands would be accepted, and failure to comply would result in the immediate execution of the hostages.
The spokesperson warned that the captives, including women and young children, would be shot if the government did not act within the specified timeframe. He stressed that the threat was not a bluff, asserting, “We are not people who make empty threats, we act on what we say.” The insurgents also cautioned against any military rescue attempt, warning that such action would only escalate the situation and worsen the outcome. This latest development adds to the ongoing insecurity in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its affiliates have carried out numerous attacks and kidnappings over the years.
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Government had not issued any official statement or response to the ultimatum. The silence from top officials has raised concerns among civil society groups and families of the captives. In response, Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to intervene immediately. Kaigama expressed frustration over the lack of communication from federal authorities, stating, “The government has not contacted us yet… Federal government has not said a thing yet.”
He emphasized his role as a mediator, saying he had gone to dangerous places to negotiate for the release of the captives. “I am only a mediator… I went to places a lot of youths like me will never go to because I want to save the lives of these individuals,” Kaigama said. He also urged business leaders and influential figures to support efforts to secure the hostages’ freedom. The situation remains tense as the 72-hour deadline looms, with the fate of hundreds of innocent lives hanging in the balance. The Nigerian government’s next steps will be closely watched, as the region continues to grapple with the threat of terrorism and the humanitarian crisis it creates.
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