A faction of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening to execute 416 captives—mostly women and children—if its demands are not met. In a video circulated online, the group warned that the countdown had begun and said the victims, believed to be held in Borno State, would be killed if authorities failed to comply.
In the footage, a masked spokesperson speaking in Hausa identified the group’s leader as Imam Abu Mu’min al-Muhajir and said the ultimatum followed prior exchanges of demands between the insurgents and relevant parties. He warned that there would be “no additions or changes” to the terms already communicated.
The group also cautioned against any military rescue operation, threatening that armed intervention would worsen the situation and accelerate executions. The spokesperson insisted the threat was not a bluff and said the captives would be shot if the deadline expired without compliance.
As of the time of reporting, there was no official response from the federal government. However, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Sama’ila Ibrahim Kaigama, appealed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, Babagana Umara Zulum and Nuhu Ribadu to urgently intervene to secure the victims’ release.
Kaigama said he had contacted several officials, including Ali Ndume, but had yet to receive feedback from security authorities. He added that he had personally attempted mediation efforts due to what he described as delays in government response, warning that immediate action was needed to prevent a possible mass killing.
