The captives, mostly women and children, are seen pleading with the Nigerian government to meet the insurgents’ demands to secure their release.
Terrorists belonging to Boko Haram, a faction of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), have released a disturbing video showing 416 abducted victims in Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The captives, mostly women and children, are seen pleading with the Nigerian government to meet the insurgents’ demands to secure their release.
The video, obtained by SaharaReporters, was reportedly recorded following a request by a group identified as the Borno South Youths Alliance, which had demanded proof of life of the abducted persons amid ongoing negotiations aimed at securing their release.
In the footage, several armed terrorists wielding sophisticated weapons were seen surrounding the victims. While some of the insurgents concealed their identities with cloth coverings over their faces, others appeared without masks.
The captives, largely women and children, were seated on the ground in an open area as the terrorists filmed and questioned them to confirm their identities and condition.
One of the insurgents, speaking in Hausa through a loudspeaker, introduced the group and delivered a message directed at the Nigerian authorities.
“All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you,” he began.
“We are members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaymatul.
Our appeal is to the leaders of Nigeria: The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; our Senator from Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government, Abba Kawu; members of the House of Representatives, including Babawo; and other prominent leaders from the Gwoza area, including Professor Suleimanu Bello.
“We are calling on all of them for help, assistance, and intervention.
“We sincerely wish to return to our homes because we are not used to living like this. The lifestyle here is very different from what we are accustomed to. Our children are distressed, we women are distressed, and our families back home are also suffering emotionally.
“Living in a place that is unfamiliar to you is very difficult. We are appealing for intervention so that we can be helped and returned to our homes, reunited with our children, parents, and loved ones.
“War is not good, it only brings suffering.”
Another woman, speaking in a different local language, echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude for being alive and for the care received, while emphasising the emotional pain, longing for home, and urgent need for rescue.
The women repeatedly expressed appreciation, saying “thank you, thank you,” while stressing that their message was clear: they want help, intervention, and a safe return to their communities.