B’Harram displays abducted victims in Borno

A faction of the Boko Haram group, identified as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, has released a video showing the condition of the 416 abducted victims in Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, assuring all that they are healthy and have not been subjected to torture or sexual harassment

In the video obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, the group displayed and interviewed the victims, comprising mostly women and children, with a few men.

A member of the group, who spoke on their behalf in the six-minute, 43-second clip, said the video was made following a request by a group known as the Borno South Youths Alliance, which it confirmed has been acting as a mediator since the victims were held in captivity.

The spokesperson, who did not identify himself, said, “We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaimatul Muhajjir. We are here to clear a few issues as requested by the organisation, Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA). As you can see, they (victims) are fine, we do not harm them or rape them. We are doing this because religion taught us so.”

He continued, “Without wasting time, we will now turn the camera to them to speak as requested that we do this video and ordered by our leader to do so”

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The spokesperson, after turning the camera to one of the female victims, asked her to speak about their current condition and make her request to the government.

She responded, “We are the people of Ngoshe who were abducted during the last attack. We are grateful to Allah, we are hale and healthy with women and children. Some of the sick people here are treated, given medicine and taken care of. Some of our children are brought here without clothes and are given clothes to wear. We thank God. They gave us where to sleep and provided us with food.”

She continued, “We thank God. The truth is, we are restless and worried about our families and relatives well being. Some were killed by airforce bombs. Some were affected by different calamities. Some of our families don’t even know whether we are dead or alive, but we are grateful this video will show signs of life and health.

“We call on all Nigerian leaders, starting from President Bola Tinubu, to Kashim Shettima, Babagana Zulum, and Sen Ali Ndume, Chairman of Gwoza Local Government. Our House of Representatives member, Babawo, and all our Gwoza leaders. We are crying that you come to our aid. We want to return to our home because we are not used to staying away from our homes. Our children and parents are all worried, and it’s very difficult to leave here.”

Confirming the number of the victims, the Borno South Youth Alliance said a total of 416 people are currently in the custody of the terrorist group.

In a statement late Thursday night, the President of the group, Samaila Kaigama, said the figure was obtained following days of engagement, discussions, and humanitarian appeals with the group.

According to him, the figure differs from earlier reports circulated by sections of the media, which underestimated the true scale of the situation.

The statement reads, “The Borno South Youth Alliance 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.