Since 2009, a devastating jihadist insurgency, initially led by Boko Haram and later by its rival, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across Nigeria’s populous northeast. Mass abductions, often followed by ransom-driven releases, are a recurring tactic employed by these Islamist factions. Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), a local youth organization, announced that his group had secured the release of 416 women and children taken from Ngoshe. He informed journalists that their freedom was secured on Saturday. Mohammed Ali Ndume, a prominent senator representing Borno State, corroborated the news of the release.

Authorities deny paying ransoms

The village of Ngoshe, situated less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border within the Gwoza hills, is a known stronghold for Boko Haram and has endured numerous assaults from the Islamist militants. Immediate details concerning the conditions under which the captives were released remain undisclosed. Senator Ali Ndume stated he was unaware of the specific circumstances surrounding the liberation. BOSYA, the youth organization that established communication channels between the captors and the affected families, has also refrained from providing further particulars.

Nigerian authorities consistently deny making ransom payments, despite assertions from analysts who contend that such practices are common, involving both government entities and victims’ families. A report by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consulting firm, indicates that approximately $1.66 million was paid in ransoms between July 2024 and June 2025 to various armed groups operating in Nigeria, encompassing jihadists,