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.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, a masked spokesperson for the group announced the ultimatum, declaring that the countdown had begun.
“We are a group of people from Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad… Our leader is Imam Abu Mu’min al-Muhajir. Today is the 19th of April, 2026,” the spokesperson said.
He stated that the message was directed at multiple stakeholders, including the Nigerian government and a group identified as the Borno South Youth Alliance.
The insurgents warned that both sides had already exchanged demands and that no changes would be accepted.
“We are giving you seventy-two (72) hours. If you do not fulfil what we have told you… do not add or change anything beyond what we have told you,” the spokesperson said.
He stressed that failure to comply would lead to deadly consequences.
“If these demands are not met within seventy-two hours, we will begin to execute the women and small children… they will be shot,” he threatened.
The group also cautioned authorities against attempting a rescue operation.
“If you attempt to recover them by force… it will only make matters worse,” the insurgent warned.
Reiterating the seriousness of the threat, he added, “This is not a bluff… we are not people who make empty threats, we act on what we say.”
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Federal Government regarding the ultimatum.
BOSYA Leader Makes Emotional Appeal
Reacting to the development, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama, appealed to top government officials to act urgently.
He called on President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to intervene.
“The government has not contacted us yet… Federal government has not said a thing yet,” Kaigama lamented.
Kaigama said he had made efforts to engage authorities and facilitate the victims’ release.
“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,” he said.
He also appealed to influential figures, including business leaders, to support efforts to secure the captives’ freedom.