Boko Haram Agrees To Conditional Release Of 50 Kidnapped Borno Women, Kids — BOSYA

The Boko Haram terrorists group has agreed to a proposed arrangement for the possible release of 50 women and children kidnapped from Ngoshe in Borno State and held in captivity, following weeks of negotiations and mediation.

This was made known by a group, Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), in a statement shared on its verified Facebook page on Tuesday.

BOSYA said the breakthrough came after “sustained, careful, and extensive discussions” with the faction identified as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS).

“Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) wishes to inform Nigerians and Southern Borno indigenes that, through sustained, careful, and extensive discussions and mediation over the past weeks, JAS (Boko Haram) has agreed to a proposed arrangement for the possible release of 50 women and children,” the group stated.

BOSYA also commended the Nigerian Army for its role in efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.

“We sincerely commend the efforts of the Nigerian Army, who, from all indications, have shown persistence and commitment more than many political figures in working toward the freedom of these hostages,” the statement added.

According to BOSYA, the insurgents outlined conditions tied to financial contributions from families of victims and well-wishers.

“Families of victims and well wishers will contribute a certain amount of money (not specifically fixed). Once donations are gathered, the available amount will be presented. If the leadership is pleased with the effort, they will release the 50 hostages/victims,” the group said.

It added that contributors’ names would be documented alongside those of their relatives.

“Families of the victims who are able to contribute will have their names recorded alongside the names of their relatives who will be included among those released,” BOSYA stated.

The group further claimed that the arrangement had been approved by the insurgents group leadership.

“It was further stated that this arrangement was approved by their leadership (Imams) as a form of recognition of the efforts made by Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA),” the statement noted, adding that the condition represented a reduction from an earlier demand of ₦5 billion ransom.

BOSYA warned that the fate of other captives remained uncertain after the proposed release.

“They also stated that after the release of the 50 women and children, the fate of the remaining captives may not be certain, citing delays in negotiations and what they described as a lack of seriousness from the government in securing the release of the victims,” the group said.

“According to them, those they can keep will be kept, while those they cannot may face execution, with such acts possibly recorded and shared,” it added.

The group called on Nigerians, particularly indigenes of Southern Borno, as well as the international community, to support efforts aimed at securing the victims’ release.

“We therefore call on the general public of Nigeria, Southern Borno indigenes, and the international community to please contribute and support efforts toward securing the release of these 50 women and children, whom we hope to receive safely with full public accountability,” BOSYA stated.

It also disclosed that the insurgents issued a five-day ultimatum before the captives could be moved to undisclosed locations outside Nigeria.