Since 2009, a relentless jihadist insurgency, spearheaded by Boko Haram and later by its rival, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across Nigeria’s populous northeast. Mass abductions, often followed by releases in exchange for ransom, are a recurring tactic employed by these extremist groups. Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), confirmed that his youth organization secured the freedom of 416 women and children who had been taken from Ngoshe. “They were released on Saturday,” he informed reporters. Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno State, also corroborated the liberation.

Authorities deny ransom payments

The village of Ngoshe, situated less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border within the Gwoza hills, is a known Boko Haram stronghold and has endured numerous assaults from the Islamist fighters. Immediate details concerning the conditions of the captives’ release were not available. Senator Ali Ndume stated he was unaware of the specific circumstances surrounding their freedom. BOSYA, the youth organization that established communication channels between the abductors and the affected families, also refrained from providing further specifics.

Nigerian authorities consistently deny making ransom payments, despite assertions from analysts that such transactions are a common practice, involving both the government and victims’ families. A report by Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence revealed that approximately 1.66 million dollars was paid in ransoms between July 2024 and June 2025 to various armed factions across Nigeria, including jihadists, “bandits,” and separatists.