Boko Haram issues 72-hour ultimatum, threatens to kill 416 captives

Boko Haram has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government over 416 captives in its custody.

The terrorist group had asked for ransom for the release of the captives, abducted in Borno State.

In a video seen by The Abuja Post, a masked spokesperson of the terror group, speaking in Hausa, warned that failure to meet the group’s demands within the stated deadline would lead to the killing of a large number of those being held, including women and children.

The group claimed it is holding 416 captives and insisted that urgent steps must be taken before the time runs out.

The spokesman said in Hausa, “We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidwatu Wal-Jihad under Imam Abu. Today being 19th April 2026, we are giving out a new message to Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) also to the Nigerian government who are not our government.

“This is our first and last message. We give you 72 hours if you do not meet our demands we will share out the woman and children to different locations. All of them. You have made your decision, and we have made ours. We instruct you, in the name of Allah, not to exceed the given time.”

Boko Haram did not specify its demands in the video.