Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have released 416 hostages taken from Ngoshe, a village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), confirmed the development to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, saying the victims regained their freedom on Saturday.
Previous reports from April 10 indicated that BOSYA had been in communication with the press and served as an intermediary between the terrorist group and the affected victims.
He said, “BOSYA has secured the release of all the Ngoshe 416 women and children. They were released on the 6th of June.”
“We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen.”
Following the breakthrough, Kaigama urged the Federal Government, the Borno State Government, and the relevant local government authorities to immediately begin a rigorous screening and profiling process for the freed captives.
However, official verification remains limited. Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, failed to answer multiple phone calls seeking comment, effectively stalling any immediate official response by press time.
Meanwhile, recall that on March 4, a previous report revealed that the group attacked a military base in Ngoshe, burned operational vehicles, dispersed security forces, killed an unspecified number of people, and abducted several others.
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In a statement shared via his X handle on Monday, the ADC presidential candidate described the development as a relief for the victims and their families, who had endured months of uncertainty since the abduction occurred in March.
