President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria may have kept mute since more than 48 hours a faction of the Boko Haram terrorists showed off 416 people mostly women and children kidnapped and held hostage when the members of the Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, JAS, launched a large scale combat actions between 4th to 6th March 2026 against the men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, overran the Africa country military base at Ngoshe, killing several soldiers, a figure the Nigeria authority disputed to be 14 after several reports indicated that more than 40 soldiers were killed during the attack, in addition to more than 100 civilians including Chief Iman of Ngoshe alongside the community elders killed during the coordinated attacks that lasted days at Ngoshe community in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, this, during the attacks, numbers of people were also taken hostage by the insurgents, with speculations indicating that the hostages are apparently being held at the rugged terrain of the Mandara Mountains, which sit wide across the Nigeria border with Cameroon, that aside, one of the spokespersons of the Boko Haram group said they decided to release a proof of life video of the 416 women and children in their captivity, following the demands made across to them by the Borno South Youths Alliance, BOSYA, and according to the statement issued by the BOSYA when they made the video public on Friday April 10, 2026, the Youths group called on Federal Government and governments at all level to ensure the hostages are released, saying specifically that; “we have witnessed cases in states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi where abducted victims regained freedom following interventions by individuals such as Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, we therefore expect equal urgency and commitment in addressing the plight of the Ngoshe victims, no region or group of citizens should be treated with less priority”.

In the footage, several women and elderly men were interviewed by the Boko Haram spokesperson. The kidnapped victims’ pleas centered on three main points directly addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Governor Babagana Zulum, begging the president and governor to find a way to bring them home within the shortest possible time.

The captives expressed fear that a direct military assault on the camp where they are being held could result in their deaths. They echoed the BOSYA apparent sentiment, asking the government to use the same negotiation channels used in Northern states like Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Kaduna states.

While the terrorists claimed in the video that they are not torturing the victims, the captives highlighted that many children are falling ill due to the harsh conditions of the forest and a lack of proper food and medicine.

The Borno South Youth Alliance, BOSYA, in a statement signed by its President, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama ad made available on Friday alongside the proof of life video, said it “wishes to inform the public that we have been actively and discreetly mediating for the release of our Southern Borno brothers and sisters who were abducted when insurgents overran Ngoshe.

Following days of engagement, discussions, and humanitarian appeals, we were provided with an official figure of 416 victims currently alive in captivity by the abductors. This figure differs from earlier reports circulated by sections of the media, which underestimated the true scale of the situation.

BOSYA remains the voice of Southern Borno youths and indigenes. As such, we are committed to continuing all possible efforts through mediation, advocacy, and engagement to secure the safe release of our people. Our actions are guided solely by the need to protect lives and restore dignity to affected families.

We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that BOSYA does not support terrorism, insurgency, or the abduction of innocent civilians. However, as representatives of our people, we are prepared to take bold and necessary steps in pursuit of solutions especially lasting solutions to the persistent insecurity affecting our region.

The voices of the kidnapped victims must be heard not just nationally, but globally. We therefore call on the following leaders and authorities to urgently intervene: The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu). The Vice President, Kashim Shettima Kashim Shettima. The Distinguished Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume. All relevant government officials and stakeholders at both federal and state levels.

We have witnessed cases in states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi where abducted victims regained freedom following interventions by individuals such as Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. We therefore expect equal urgency and commitment in addressing the plight of the Ngoshe victims. No region or group of citizens should be treated with less priority.

The freedom, safety, and well-being of the abducted victims from Gwoza particularly those from Ngoshe are non-negotiable. We urge the government to act decisively, just as they have been doing in other parts of the country.

Furthermore, we call on the Nigerian Government, international partners, the United Nations, and global leaders including Donald Trump to support efforts toward the safe and immediate release of all abducted victims. Among them are vulnerable groups, including infants, young children, elderly individuals, and women in extremely fragile conditions.

Let it be known to the world that BOSYA is actively mediating and advocating for the release of Southern Borno indigenes held captive. We also call on both the Nigerian Government and the Borno State Government to demonstrate visible and measurable efforts in securing their freedom”.