In a video released on April 19, the insurgent group, identifying itself as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidwatu Wal-Jihad, addressed both the Nigerian government and the Borno South Youth Alliance, which has been acting as mediator since the March 4 attack on Ngoshe.

“Today, 19th April 2026, we are giving you 72 hours. This is our first and final message. If our demands are not met, we will share these victims, including women and children, to different locations.

You will never see them again till the world ends,” a spokesperson for the group said in the video, speaking in Hausa with English subtitles.

The group dared the government to attempt a forceful rescue. “If the government thinks you can save them by using force, you are welcome to try. We depend on Allah,” the spokesperson added.

N6bn in demands across two states

The Ngoshe ultimatum is the larger of two fresh ransom demands that together total N6 billion. In Kaduna State, suspected terrorists who attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area on Easter Sunday have separately demanded N1 billion for the release of several kidnapped residents.

Those abducted include two elderly blind men, women, children and entire families, some of them already bereaved. The Concerned Ariko Youths group described the demand as “neither reasonable nor humane” for a rural community already devastated by the attack.

Mediators appeal to billionaires

The Borno South Youth Alliance, led by president Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, confirmed the demand in a statement and immediately appealed beyond government for help, naming Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu alongside President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gov. Babagana Zulum.

“We respectfully call on all capable stakeholders to urgently intervene and use every lawful and available means to help secure the freedom of these 416 women and children,” Kaigama said.

Ndume: no negotiations, but government must act

Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the government must not negotiate with the terrorists but must still find a way to secure the captives’ release.

“I am not in favour of negotiating with terrorists for the release of captives. My position is very clear on that. The government should do everything possible to get the captives released,” he said.

Ndume said he was aware of some ongoing engagement and confirmed that NEMA had responded to humanitarian needs of displaced victims but said the security situation required escalation.

“We need to stand up to it, forget about every other thing, and stand up to the issue of security and welfare of citizens,” he added.

Experts split on how to respond

Security analyst Chidi Omeje described the government as caught between two dangerous choices. “If you ignore their threats, these are brutal terrorists who have no compassion and can carry out their threats. But if you decide to pay them, you are funding their terrorist activities. Either way, there is a problem,” he said.

Auwal Musa of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre raised the stakes further, alleging that past ransom payments had become a corruption pipeline.

“In the past, directly or indirectly, the government has been paying this money, and it has become another source of corruption for some officials. At the expense of human lives, money is shared between officials and criminals,” he said.

A retired army intelligence officer, Chris Andrew, offered a measured reading of the threat, arguing the group was unlikely to carry out mass executions because it would undermine their own financial interest.

“They can kill one, two, three, yes, it’s not anything to them, but they cannot be stupid to try to kill a hundred plus,” he said.