As the 72-hour deadline issued by Boko Haram to the Nigerian government over the 416 abducted victims in Borno State elapsed, 12 captives escaped from the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area. The fate of the remaining 404 victims remains uncertain.
Escapes Amid Military Operations
A source from Pulka revealed that the escaped victims fled 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. The Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed the escapees—10 females and two males—are now safe in a nearby town.
Fresh Attack in Gwoza
In a separate incident, 18 firewood scavengers and farmers were killed in a Boko Haram ambush on the outskirts of Gwoza. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume confirmed the attack: “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.”
Troops Neutralize 54 Terrorists
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 24 ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters on Thursday, bringing the two-day total to 54. The operation in Kukareta repelled a terrorist attack, recovering weapons including 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns, and two PKT anti-aircraft guns. Two soldiers were wounded but stabilized.
Senator Ningi Blames Leadership Failure
Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi blamed Nigeria’s insecurity on leadership failure, saying politicians have prioritized politics over security. “Why don’t we suspend politics for a period and deal with the security situation?” he asked. He noted that the National Assembly would be largely inactive for 10 months due to election preparations.
House of Representatives Urges Deployment
The House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to deploy additional personnel to Kaduna and Borno states. Lawmakers called for more Forward Operating Bases and rapid response units, and urged state governments to collaborate with local vigilantes for intelligence gathering.
Adamawa Governor Visits Attack Site
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited Mayo Ladde community in Hong Local Government Area after a Boko Haram attack that killed nine people. He expressed sadness and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peace.
Yoruba Ronu Criticizes Senate Proposal
The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum criticized a Senate suggestion to suspend campaigns in some states due to insecurity, calling it a political tactic to weaken opposition parties. The forum urged opposition parties to resist the move.
