A faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), has released a video showing 416 abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

In the video, made public on Friday, the insurgents claimed that the victims in their custody are healthy and have not been subjected to torture or sexual abuse.

The footage, obtained by The Guardian, showed mostly women and children, with a few men separated from their families, as they were interviewed by their captors.

A member of the group, who spoke in the six-minute, 43-second clip, said the video was produced following a request by the Borno South Youths Alliance (BOYA), which he confirmed has been acting as a mediator since the victims were abducted.

“We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaimatul Muhajjir,” the spokesperson said.

“We are here to clarify issues as requested by the Borno South Youths Alliance. As you can see, the victims are fine. We do not harm or rape them. Our religion teaches us to be humane to captives.”

He added that the group was directed by its leader to record the video and allow the captives to speak.
One of the female victims, speaking in the video, said:

 “We are from Ngoshe and were kidnapped during the last attack. We thank God that we are alive and healthy, including the women and children.

“Those who were sick have been treated and given medication. Some of our children who came without clothes have been provided with clothing. We have been given food and a place to sleep.”

She, however, appealed to authorities for intervention:

 “We are worried about our families and relatives. Some were killed by air force bombs, while others have suffered different calamities. Many do not know whether we are dead or alive.

“We call on all Nigerian leaders—from President Bola Tinubu to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Babagana Zulum, Senator Ali Ndume, the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government, and our House of Representatives member—to come to our aid. We want to return home.”

Confirming the number of victims, the Borno South Youths Alliance stated that 416 people are currently in the custody of the insurgents.

In a statement late Thursday night, the group’s president, Samaila Kaigama, said the figure was verified after days of engagement, discussions, and humanitarian appeals with the insurgents.

According to him, the number differs from earlier reports that underestimated the scale of the abduction.

“The Borno South Youths Alliance wishes to inform the public that we have been actively and discreetly mediating for the release of our Southern Borno brothers and sisters who were abducted when insurgents overran Ngoshe,” the statement read.

“Following days of engagement and humanitarian appeals, we were provided with an official figure of 416 victims currently alive in captivity.”