Tension is mounting over the fate of hundreds of abducted residents in Borno State after 12 captives escaped from Boko Haram, leaving about 404 others still in captivity despite a lapsed 72-hour ransom ultimatum.
The insurgents had demanded N5 billion from authorities, warning against any rescue attempt and threatening to disperse the victims. But a military offensive reportedly forced them to abandon some captives, creating a narrow escape window for 10 women and two men.
A local source said, “One of the victims told us that there were military operations in the areas which forced the insurgents to abandon some of them and escape with the majority of the captives.”
The abductees were taken during a March 4 assault on Ngoshe community in Gwoza, where dozens were killed and 416 residents whisked away.
Even as hope flickers for the escapees, tragedy deepened in the same axis as at least 18 farmers and firewood collectors were ambushed and killed in a fresh attack.
Confirming the killings, Mohammed Ali Ndume said, “I received a distress call this afternoon that 18 of my constituents who went to their farms were ambushed and killed by terrorists this morning. It is quite unfortunate and shocking. May Allah grant Aljannatul Firdaus to their souls, and may their families bear the irreparable loss.”
Amid the chaos, troops under Operation Hadin Kai said they killed 54 insurgents in two days, repelling attacks and recovering heavy weapons, though two soldiers were injured in the process.
Meanwhile, lawmakers and stakeholders are raising alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, with Abdul Ahmed Ningi bluntly admitting leadership failure.
“There is a need to pursue drastic measures to address insecurity. Even if all members of the National Assembly are replaced with another set of lawmakers, I doubt if there will be serious changes,” he said.
He added, “Why don’t we suspend politics for a period and deal with the security situation? We are in a state of anarchy… something urgent must be done.”
In Adamawa, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited grieving communities after another deadly attack, pledging continued efforts to restore peace.
The House of Representatives has also urged the Federal Government to deploy more troops and resources to troubled areas in Borno and Kaduna, warning that continued inaction could spiral into a full-blown humanitarian disaster.
