Boko Haram Demands Ransom for 416 Abducted Victims

Boko Haram has released a video threatening the Nigerian government with a 72-hour ultimatum regarding the release of 416 captives, including women and children, abducted in Borno State. The group demands a ransom of 5 billion naira, warning that if their demands are not met, the victims will be relocated and may not be seen again.

The ultimatum was issued on April 19, 2026, with the group expressing dissatisfaction with the government's previous rescue attempts. Samaila Kaigama, the president of the Borno South Youth Alliance, has called on the Nigerian government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, as well as philanthropists like Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu, to urgently intervene for the captives' release.

The situation is described as a humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the need for immediate action to secure the freedom of the abducted individuals.