Dozens of Abductees Escape as Military Bombards Boko Haram Hideout

Twelve people abducted by Boko Haram in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, have escaped following a military operation targeting an insurgent hideout. The development leaves 404 individuals still in captivity out of the 416 originally taken.

The escape occurred shortly after insurgents issued a 72-hour ultimatum to federal and state authorities, warning that the captives would be held indefinitely. The group had also threatened to disperse the victims and resist any forced rescue attempts.

According to a source in Pulka, the escapees—comprising 10 men and two women—fled during a military offensive that disrupted the insurgents’ camp.

“One of the victims said the military operation forced the fighters to abandon some captives while retreating with the majority,” the source said.

The Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed the development in a statement released by its president, Samaila Kaigama, noting that the escapees are now in a safe location within a nearby town.

Kaigama identified the individuals as Aisha Audu (20), Hajara Audu (18 months), Aisha Idrisa (17), Hafsat Idrisa (4 months), Aisha Abubakar Bama (22), Maryam Umar (11 months), Zainabu Umar Mbasuwa (22), Salma Abubakar (2 months), Musa Umar (7), Suleiman Umar (9), Aisha Abubakar (17), and Aisha Musa (10).

While welcoming the development, Kaigama stressed that most of the abducted victims remain in insurgent custody.

The abductions followed a March 4 attack on a military base and Ngoshe community, which displaced many residents to Pulka. Representatives of the Borno South Youth Alliance have since been in contact with the insurgents in efforts to secure the victims’ release.

On April 20, a faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, led by Imam Abu Ubaida, released a video demanding ransom payments from the government and reiterating warnings against any rescue operation involving force.