Boko Haram frees over 400 captives in Nigeria’s Borno state

Since 2009, a relentless jihadist insurgency, initially spearheaded by Boko Haram and later challenged by its rival, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across Nigeria’s most populous nation’s northeast region. The tactic of mass kidnappings, often followed by releases in exchange for ransom, is a common practice employed by these Islamist factions. Samaila Kaigama, who serves as the president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), a local youth organization, announced that his efforts had secured the release of 416 women and children, all previously abducted from Ngoshe. “They were set free on Saturday,” he informed reporters. Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno State, independently verified this liberation.

Authorities deny paying ransoms

The village of Ngoshe, situated less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border within the Gwoza hills, has long been recognized as a stronghold for Boko Haram and has endured repeated assaults from Islamist combatants. At present, no details regarding the specific conditions under which these captives were released have been made public. Senator Ali Ndume stated he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding their freedom. BOSYA, the youth organization that had established communication channels between the abductors and the affected families, also refrained from disclosing any specifics.

Nigerian authorities consistently deny paying ransoms, despite numerous analysts asserting that such payments are a frequent occurrence, involving both government entities and the families of victims. A report from SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consulting firm, indicated that approximately $1.66 million was paid in ransoms between July 2024 and June 2025 to various armed groups operating in Nigeria, encompassing not only jihadists but also so-called “bandits” and separatist movements.