Boko Haram Releases Disturbing Video Of 416 Abducted Women, Children In Borno As Victims Beg Tinubu, Others For Help

The captives, mostly women and children, are seen pleading with the Nigerian government to meet the insurgents’ demands in order to secure their release.

Terrorists belonging to Boko Haram, a faction of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), have released a disturbing video showing 416 abducted victims in Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. 

The captives, mostly women and children, are seen pleading with the Nigerian government to meet the insurgents’ demands in order to secure their release.

The video, obtained by SaharaReporters, was reportedly recorded following a request by a group identified as the Borno South Youths Alliance, which had demanded proof of life of the abducted persons amid ongoing negotiations aimed at securing their release.

In the footage, several armed terrorists wielding sophisticated weapons were seen surrounding the victims. 

While some of the insurgents concealed their identities with cloth coverings over their faces, others appeared without masks. 

The captives, largely women and children, were seated on the ground in an open area as the terrorists filmed and questioned them to confirm their identities and condition.

One of the insurgents, speaking in Hausa through a loudspeaker, introduced the group and delivered a message directed at the Nigerian authorities.

“All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you,” he began.

“We are members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaymatul.

“We have gathered here today to present a few important matters. God willing, we intend to deliver a message to the Government of Nigeria, based on requests made by members of the Borno South East Alliance and others who asked for clarification about the condition of the women from Ngoshe.

“The women of Ngoshe wanted to be seen, and here they are. They are alive and in good condition. We have not harmed them in any way, nor have we mistreated them. We have kept them according to what we believe is our duty before Allah. This is because our religion instructs us to act in this manner.

“Without wasting time, since members of the Borno South East Alliance requested a video so they could see them with their own eyes, we will now allow the women to speak directly. You will hear from them and see them yourselves.”

Following the statement, the insurgents directed questions at the captives, asking them to describe their condition and convey any messages to the Nigerian government.

A spokesperson for the abducted group, speaking in Hausa, expressed gratitude for being alive while confirming their identity as residents of Ngoshe.

WATCH: Boko Haram Releases Disturbing Video Of 416 Abducted Women, Children In Borno As Victims Beg For Help pic.twitter.com/HHgAmfJlII

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 10, 2026

“First of all, we thank Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) who brought us to this place. Alhamdulillah, we are grateful.

“We are people from Ngoshe town. This trial and destiny befell us there. By the grace of Allah, we are alive and in good condition, together with our children, women, and elders. All of us are safe.

“Those who were injured or unwell have received treatment and care. Some of our children arrived without clothes, no shirts, no trousers, but they have now been given clothing. We have been provided with shelter and food. Alhamdulillah, we are being taken care of.”

When asked what appeal they had for the Nigerian government, particularly through the intervention of the Borno South Youths Alliance, the spokesperson outlined their emotional distress and urgent plea for rescue.

“Our stay here has not been difficult in terms of basic needs; we have no immediate complaints about our treatment. However, we are deeply worried and distressed because of what has happened to our relatives.

“Some people were killed when an aircraft struck, and others suffered different tragedies. Because of this, we are in emotional distress and constant worry. Our families back home are also anxious; some of them do not even know whether we are alive or dead. But now, with this video, they will at least know that we are alive.

“We are sending this message to the world so that people know we are alive and in good condition.”

The woman went further to call on top Nigerian leaders to intervene urgently to secure their release.

“Our appeal is to the leaders of Nigeria: The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; our Senator from Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government, Abba Kawu; members of the House of Representatives, including Babawo; and other prominent leaders from the Gwoza area, including Professor Suleimanu Bello.

“We are calling on all of them for help, assistance, and intervention.

“We sincerely wish to return to our homes because we are not used to living like this. The lifestyle here is very different from what we are accustomed to. Our children are distressed, we women are distressed, and our families back home are also suffering emotionally.

“Living in a place that is unfamiliar to you is very difficult. We are appealing for intervention so that we can be helped and returned to our homes, reunited with our children, parents, and loved ones.

“War is not good, it only brings suffering.”

Another woman, speaking in a different local language, echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude for being alive and for the care received, while emphasising the emotional pain, longing for home, and urgent need for rescue.

The women repeatedly expressed appreciation, saying “thank you, thank you,” while stressing that their message was clear: they want help, intervention, and a safe return to their communities.

The video underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s North-East, where insurgency has continued to displace communities, separate families, and subject civilians, especially women and children, to prolonged captivity and psychological trauma.

On March 4, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that a yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons, including soldiers, had been killed by militants in Borno state.

Multiple security sources told SaharaReporters that Ngoshe town, under Gwoza Local Government Area of the state, came under highly coordinated and simultaneous attacks around 4 a.m., and the terrorists operated till daybreak.

During the incident, the militants invaded a military base, 82 Div TF Battalion under 26 BDE, and launched an assault on a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the community.

A source added that the terrorists also ransacked the community, looking for soldiers they claimed may be hiding. The gunmen also burnt armoured tanks and military vehicles and made away with unquantifiable ammunition.

“The terrorists overran a military base, 82 Div TF Battalion under 26 BDE, around 0400hrs, with their large numbers, burnt the camp with all the military equipment, and later advanced toward an IDP camp close to the military base and attacked the IDP,” a military source told SaharaReporters after the attack.

“The terrorists also burnt all the buildings in the IDP camp. They then went to the community and started searching all the houses to check if there were soldiers hiding within the civilians’ houses.”

The source added that many Nigerian soldiers and civilians were killed, while others fled into the bush. According to him, the gunmen came in different groups and could not be counted.