A Boko Haram group known as the Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS-AWJ) has released a video to the public parading some abducted residents from the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Council of Borno State.

The captors in the video assured that all the abductees were healthy and have not been subjected to torture or sexual harassment.

In the video obtained by The Guardian on Thursday, the group displayed and interviewed the victims, mostly women and children, with a few men separated from their wives and children.

A member of JAS-AWJ, who spoke in the six-minute, 43-second clip, said: “The video was made following a request by a group known as the Borno South Youths Alliance (BOYA).

“We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaimatul Muhajjir.

“We are here to clear a few issues as requested by the organisation, Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA). As you can see, they (victims) are fine; we did not harm or rape them. We are doing this because religion taught us to be humane to the captives.

“Without wasting time, we will now turn the camera to them to speak as requested that we do this video and ordered by our leader to do so.”

After turning the camera to one of the female victims, he asked her to speak about their current conditions and make her request to the state government.

Responding, she stated: “We are the people of Ngoshe, who were kidnapped during the last attack. We are grateful to Allah; we are hale and healthy. Some of the sick people here were treated, given medicine and taken care of. Some of our children were brought here without clothes but were given clothes to wear. We thank God. They gave us a place to sleep and provided us with food.”

She continued: “We thank God. The truth is, we are restless and worried about our families and relatives’ well being. Some were killed by air force bombs. Some were affected by different calamities. Some of our families don’t even know whether we are dead or alive, but we are grateful this video will show signs of life and health.

“We call on Nigerian leaders, starting from President Bola Tinubu, to Kashim Shettima, Babagana Zulum, and Sen Ali Ndume, Chairman of Gwoza Local Council, our House of Representatives member, Babawo, and all our Gwoza leaders to come to our aid. We want to return to our homes because we are not used to staying away from our homes. Our children and parents are all worried, and it’s very difficult to leave here.”

Confirming the number of the victims, the Borno South Youth Alliance said about 416 people are currently in the custody of the terrorist group.

In a statement late Thursday night, the President of the group, Samaila Kaigama, said the figure was obtained following days of engagement, discussions, and humanitarian appeal to the group.

According to him, the figure differs from earlier reports circulated by sections of the media, which underestimated the true scale of the situation.