Tension is rising in Borno as 404 abducted Ngoshe residents remain in captivity after Boko Haram’s 72-hour ultimatum expired, despite the reported escape of 12 victims.
Uncertainty has deepened over the fate of 404 abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Borno State after a 72-hour ultimatum issued by Boko Haram expired without any official response from the insurgents or government authorities.
Twelve of the 416 abducted victims were reported to have escaped captivity following a military operation targeting insurgent hideouts in the area, according to sources in Pulka and a statement by the Borno South Youth Alliance. The escapees, comprising 10 females and two males, are said to be safe in a nearby community, while the fate of the remaining captives remains uncertain. The insurgents had demanded a N5 billion ransom from the federal and state governments, warning that failure to comply could endanger the victims and threatening to relocate them or resist any rescue attempt.
The victims were abducted during a March 4 attack on a military base and Ngoshe community, where several residents were killed and hundreds taken hostage. Observers said silence following the ultimatum’s expiration has heightened fear in affected communities, while security analysts warned the incident underscores the continued vulnerability of rural communities in the North-East, with residents calling for urgent action to secure the release of those still in captivity and prevent further attacks.
READ THE FULL STORY IN DAILY POST