A faction of Boko Haram has released a new video saying their 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government has expired. The group now threatens to execute 416 women and children they are holding captive in Borno State.…....
The captives are mostly from Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area. They were taken after the militants attacked a military base there on March 4. The group, known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), first gave the ultimatum on April 19.
They demanded a huge ransom – reports say around ₦5 billion – and warned they would kill or move the hostages if the money was not paid.In the latest video, obtained by Sahara Reporters and shared widely on April 30, a masked spokesman declared the deadline over. “The 72-hour deadline we gave you has already expired,” he said in Hausa. “There is no more discussion.” He added that the group would carry out its threat and mocked any plan to rescue the captives by force. “Send your aircraft if you want,” he warned.
“They will only end up killing your own people.” The Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), which has been trying to mediate, raised the alarm. Its leaders said they begged for more time but the process moved too slowly.
They appealed to the federal and state governments, including President Tinubu and Governor Zulum, as well as international groups, to step in quickly.As of now, there is no word from the Nigerian government on the latest threat. Families in Borno remain in fear as the lives of the 416 hostages hang in the balance.
