Since 2009, a relentless jihadist insurgency, initially spearheaded by Boko Haram and later intensified 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. Mass abductions, often leading to releases in exchange for ransom, have become a common tactic employed by these Islamist factions. Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), a local organization, stated that his efforts led to the liberation of 416 women and children taken from Ngoshe. He specified that their release occurred on Saturday. Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno State, independently corroborated the release.

Authorities deny paying ransoms

The village of Ngoshe, situated less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border in the Gwoza hills—a known stronghold for Boko Haram—has been a frequent target of Islamist militant assaults. Immediate details regarding the conditions of this latest release remain undisclosed. Senator Ali Ndume indicated he was not privy to the circumstances surrounding the freedom of the captives. His youth organization, BOSYA, which had established communication channels between the abductors and affected families, also refrained from providing specifics.

Despite official denials of ransom payments by authorities, analysts widely assert that such transactions are a regular occurrence, involving both government entities and the families of victims. A Lagos-based consulting firm, SBM Intelligence, documented that approximately $1.66 million was paid in ransoms from July 2024 to June 2025 to various armed groups operating in Nigeria, encompassing not only jihadists but also criminal “bandits” and separatist movements.