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Terror group Boko Haram has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government over the fate of 416 abducted victims, mostly women and children, being held in Borno State. The threat was delivered in a newly released video, where the insurgents warned that failure to meet their demands within the deadline could lead to severe consequences for the captives. 
In the footage, the group challenged the government to attempt a military rescue, declaring they are “battle-ready” and willing to confront security forces. They warned that if their demands are not met within the given timeframe, the victims would be moved to different undisclosed locations, making it nearly impossible to trace or rescue them. 
Although the terrorists did not clearly restate their demands in the latest video, earlier communications indicated a ₦5 billion ransom for the release of the hostages. The victims are believed to be from Ngoshe in Borno State, with the Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA) acting as an intermediary between the insurgents and affected families. 
The ultimatum has intensified fears for the safety of the captives, as stakeholders and community leaders call for urgent intervention. The situation highlights the continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, where insurgent groups still carry out kidnappings and attacks despite ongoing military operations.
