No fewer than 12 out of the 416 victims abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State have escaped.

This is coming shortly after the 72 hours ultimatum given to the state and federal governments, to respond to the terrorist demand or risk losing the captives forever.

The insurgents threatened that any attempt by the government to rescue the victims by force would be met with resistance, and the victims taken to different locations.

Unfortunately, 18 people including firewood scavengers and farmers who went to their farms for clearance were killed during Boko Haram ambush at the outskirts of Gwoza local government area in the state on Thursday.

Sources said the armed insurgents, who are on rampage, shot at sight targeting anybody in the bush or clearing their farmlands ahead of the forthcoming rainy season.

According to the cameraman attached to the Information Unit of Gwoza Council, Mallam Haruna Hayatu who spoke exclusively to Vanguard: “So far, 18 dead bodies have been recovered in the nearby surroundings of Gwoza town, as more victims are also feared dead or missing.”

Ali Ndume reacts

Confirming the latest killings, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume said: “I received a distress call this afternoon that 18 of my constituents who went to their farms were ambushed and killed by terrorists this morning. It is quite unfortunate and shocking.

“May Allah grant Aljannatul Firdaus to their Souls, and may their families bear the irreparable loss”. Ndume stated.

Meanwhile, a source from Pulka revealed that the escaped victims of Ngoshe incident: 10 men and 2 male escaped after the military invaded one of the Boko Haram locations.

“One of the victims told us that there were military operations in the areas which forced the insurgents to abandon some of them and escape with the majority of the captives,” he said.

In a statement by Borno South Youth Alliance, the president Samaila Kaigama, confirmed that those previously held by the insurgents escaped on Wednesday.

“They are now safe in a nearby town,” he said.

Kaigama said the escapees: 10 females and two males, were identified as “Aisha Audu – 20 years, Hajara Audu – 18 months, Aisha Idrisa – 17 years, Hafsat Idrisa – 4 months, Aisha Abubakar Bama – 22 years, Maryam Umar – 11 months, Zainabu Umar Mbasuwa – 22 years, Salma Abubakar – 2 months, Musa Umar – 7 years, Suleiman Umar – 9 years, Aisha Abubakar – 17 years, Aisha Musa – 10 years.

“While we are grateful for this development, we must state clearly that a larger number of victims are still believed to remain in captivity,” he said.

These abductees were held by the assailants after the March 4, attack on the military base and Ngoshe community where an unspecified number of persons were killed and 416 residents abducted.

This situation forced many survivors of the attack to relocate to a neighboring town, Pulka, from where the Borno South Youth Alliance had been communicating with the insurgents to ensure safe release of their loved ones.

Recall that on April 20, a faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidwatu Wal-Jihad under Imam Abu Ubaida, released a video, demanding the federal and state governments to pay them ransom.

The group also warned the military against any attempt to forcefully rescue 416 abducted victims.

But reacting, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) kicked against any move to pay ransom for the release of the 416 Ngoshe victims. (Vanguard)

• Burnt homes and destruction in Gwoza, Borno State, following a fresh attack by Boko Haram insurgents that left at least 18 people dead and forced residents to flee

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