Boko Haram Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum, Thre∆tens To Execut£ 416 Capt!ves In Borno, Mostly Women And Children

Boko Haram Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum, Threatens To Execute 416 Captives In Borno, Mostly Women And Children

The terrorists also cautioned against any military rescue attempt, warning it would worsen the situation.

A faction of Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, has issued a chilling 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening to execute 416 captives, mostly women and children, if its demands are not met.

In a disturbing video obtained by SaharaReporters, a spokesperson for the terrorist group declared that the countdown had begun, warning that failure by authorities to comply would result in mass killings of those held in captivity in Borno State.

The masked spokesperson, speaking in Hausa, identified the group and reaffirmed its allegiance, stating: “We are a group of people from Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, devoted to our cause. Our leader is Imam Abu Mu’min al-Muhajir. Today is the 19th of April, 2026. May God guide us.”

He added that the message was directed at multiple stakeholders, including the Nigerian government, a group identified as BOSYA (Borno South Youth Alliance), and the Nigerian governments, while drawing a distinction from what he referred to as “our government.”

“We are sending a message today to BOSYA, the South Youth Alliance, the Nigerian government, and the Nigerian government, not our government. This is our first message, and it will also be the last,” the terrorist said.

The insurgent group warned that both sides had already exchanged demands, insisting there should be no alterations or delays.

“We are giving you seventy-two (72) hours. If you do not fulfill what we have told you, you have already made your demands known, and we too have made our own demands clear to you, based on sacrifice and fear of God. Do not add or change anything beyond what we have told you. These are clear and direct instructions,” he said.

In a particularly warning, the spokesperson threatened immediate executions if the ultimatum expires unmet.

“If these demands are not met within seventy-two hours, we will begin to execute the women and small children, every one of them. All those you see in this video, you will not see them alive again. They will be shot,” he said.

WATCH: Boko Haram Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum, Threatens To Execute 416 Captives In Borno, Mostly Women And Children pic.twitter.com/O8QwNYOFld

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 20, 2026

The group also cautioned against any military rescue attempt, warning it would worsen the situation.

“If you attempt to recover them by force, meaning through armed intervention, then we swear by God, it will only make matters worse,” the insurgent warned.

Reiterating the seriousness of their threat, the spokesperson said, “We have given you 72 hours. After that, you will see the reality. This is not a bluff. What is coming is real, not a joke. We are not people who make empty threats, we act on what we say.

“If you fail to comply, we will begin killing the women and children, and you will never see them again, God willing. This is not a game. We are serious. We are not joking.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Nigerian government regarding the ultimatum.

Reacting to the development, BOSYA President, Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama, made an emotional appeal to top government officials, urging immediate action to save the captives.

Kaigama specifically called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to intervene urgently.

He lamented that despite efforts to contact key officials, there had been no response.

“Fellow Nigerians, Southern Borno youths, Southern Borno indigenes. This is BOSYA President Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama. Boko Haram just have given their ultimatum. They have given us demands. They have given us what, uh, plans for the release and how they plan on releasing the victims,” he said.

“The government has not contacted us yet. My state government has not said anything. That is Borno State Government. Federal government has not said a thing yet.”

Kaigama revealed that he had reached out through political channels, including Senator Ali Ndume, who directed him to the National Security Adviser.

“We spoke with my senator, that is Ndume, which he directed me to who? To head of National Security, that is Ribadu. I have sent him a message. He is yet to reply to anything,” he said.

Describing himself as a mediator who stepped in due to government inaction, Kaigama said his efforts had taken him to dangerous locations in a bid to secure the victims’ release.

“They have given ultimatum. I am only what? A mediator. I picked up this case because my state government did not do anything about it. Nobody did anything about it. I went to places a lot of youths like me and people will never go to because I want to save the lives of these individuals,” he said.

He further appealed not only to political leaders but also to influential business figures, stressing the urgency of the situation.

“So I am calling upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, VP Kashim Shettima, Babagana Umara Zulum, in fact, including Dangote and Abdulsamad. Let us help these people; four hundred and sixteen innocent people,” he said.

“What will you use your wealth if you cannot help poor Nigerians who have been abducted due to insecurity? Who created the insecurity? We are supposed to have protected them, that is the government. Please do the needful. Let them release these people peacefully.”