Boko Haram Releases Video Of 416 Kidnapped Borno Residents, Victims Beg For Government Rescue (+Video)

A faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group, known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), has released a dramatic video showing 416 people abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, providing the first proof of life more than a month after they were seized . In the six-minute, 43-second clip that surfaced on Thursday, the heavily armed insurgents displayed the captives—comprising mostly women and children along with a few men—while claiming they have been well-treated and not subjected to torture or sexual abuse.

The video was produced following a request from a civil society group, the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), which confirmed it has been acting as a discreet mediator since the attack . A spokesperson for the terrorist faction, who did not disclose his identity, addressed the camera stating, “We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaimatul Muhajjir. We are here to clear a few issues as requested by the organisation, Borno South Youth Alliance. As you can see, they are fine, we do not harm them or rape them. We are doing this because religion taught us so”.

After the insurgent’s address, the camera was turned to a female victim who spoke on behalf of the abductees. She confirmed that the captives were alive and receiving basic necessities, saying, “We are the people of Ngoshe who were abducted during the last attack. We are grateful to Allah, we are hale and healthy with women and children. Some of the sick people here are treated, given medicine and taken care of. Some of our children are brought here without clothes and are given clothes to wear. They gave us where to sleep and provided us with food”.

However, beneath her composed delivery lay a desperate plea for rescue. She revealed the emotional toll of captivity, stating, “The truth is, we are restless and worried about our families and relatives wellbeing. Some were killed by airforce bombs. Some were affected by different calamities. Some of our families don’t even know whether we are dead or alive, but we are grateful this video will show signs of life and health”. She then issued a direct appeal to Nigerian leaders, adding, “We call on all Nigerian leaders, starting from President Bola Tinubu, to Kashim Shettima, Babagana Zulum, and Sen Ali Ndume. We are crying that you come to our aid. We want to return to our home because we are not used to staying away from our homes. Our children and parents are all worried, and it’s very difficult to leave here”.

Watch Video below:
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The abduction occurred during a devastating assault on Ngoshe on March 4, 2026, when insurgents overran a military base in the community, burned operational vehicles, killed an unknown number of soldiers and civilians, including the Chief Imam, and then retreated with the hostages . While earlier reports had underestimated the number of those taken, BOSYA confirmed after days of engagement with the captors that the figure stands at 416.

In a statement released late Thursday, the President of BOSYA, Samaila Kaigama, detailed the group’s mediation efforts. “The Borno South Youth Alliance wishes to inform the public that we have been actively and discreetly mediating for the release of our Southern Borno brothers and sisters who were abducted when insurgents overran Ngoshe. Following days of engagement, discussions, and humanitarian appeals, we were provided with an official figure of 416 victims currently alive in captivity by the abductors,” Kaigama said. He stressed that the group does not support terrorism but is taking bold steps to pursue solutions. “The voices of the kidnapped victims must be heard not just nationally, but globally,” he added.

BOSYA has urged the federal and state governments to act with urgency, citing previous successful mediations in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states where abducted victims regained freedom. The group also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations and global leaders, to support efforts toward the safe release of the captives, noting that among the 416 are infants, young children, elderly individuals, and women in extremely fragile condition . As families of the abducted victims watch the video in anguish, the pressure now mounts on security agencies to secure the freedom of those who have pleaded from captivity, “We want to return to our home”.