MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Tension reached a breaking point across northeast Nigeria as the 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Boko Haram faction, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), officially expired. While the fate of over 400 captives hangs in the balance, a breakthrough occurred on Wednesday when 12 hostages managed to escape during intense military bombardments of insurgent locations.
A Daring Escape Amidst Chaos
The Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA), which has been acting as a mediator, confirmed the escape of 12 individuals—mostly women and young children—who reached safety in a nearby town after fleeing their captors. According to security sources, the escape took place as Nigerian troops conducted precision air interdiction missions in the Sambisa Forest axis, forcing insurgents to abandon some captives during the scramble.
The identified escapees include:
- Aisha Audu (20) and Hajara Audu (18 months)
- Aisha Idrisa (17) and Hafsat Idrisa (4 months)
- Zainabu Umar Mbasuwa (22) and Salma Abubakar (2 months)
- Musa Umar (7) and Suleiman Umar (9)
The Standoff: ₦5 Billion and a “Final Warning”
Despite the escape, 404 people remain in captivity. The crisis began on March 4 when terrorists overran a military base and the Ngoshe community in Gwoza LGA.
On April 19, the group released a video demanding a ₦5 billion ransom. A masked spokesperson warned that if the demands were not met within 72 hours, they would execute the captives or “share them out” to hidden locations. They explicitly dared the Nigerian government to attempt a forceful rescue, claiming to be “battle-ready.”
Rising Pressure and Government Silence
As of April 23, the Federal Government has not issued a detailed public statement regarding negotiations or the ransom demand. However, Senator Ali Ndume has publicly backed the government’s strategy, stating that agencies are working behind the scenes. Ndume has voiced strong opposition to paying the ₦5 billion ransom, urging for a rescue through military precision instead.
The Nigerian Senate has formally called on the administration to intensify all necessary measures to secure the release of the remaining Ngoshe residents.
A Deadly Toll
The situation remains extremely dangerous. While 12 people escaped, a fresh ambush by Boko Haram in the outskirts of Gwoza on Thursday reportedly killed 18 people, including farmers and firewood scavengers. For the families in Ngoshe and the displacement camps in Pulka, the passing of the deadline brings a terrifying uncertainty as they wait for the next move from either the terrorists or the military.
