Boko Haram Archives - Citybuzz News

Boko Haram Gives 72-Hour Deadline Over 416 Hostages

April 20, 2026 by admin

Boko Haram insurgents have issued a warning in a video, daring the Nigerian government to carry out a forceful operation to free 416 captives in Borno State. This is as it was warned that if their demands are not met within 72 hours, the victims will be taken to different locations where they may never be seen again. Our correspondent who obtained the video in the early hours of Monday reports that the group said it “welcomes” any attempt by the government to rescue the victims by force. The terrorists, dressed in military camouflage, stated that they are battle-ready if the government chooses force instead of meeting their demands. Previous reports from April 10 indicated that BOSYA has been in communication with the press and serves as an intermediary between the terrorist group and the affected victims. This was when Boko Haram displayed the abducted victims. The message, delivered in Hausa and translated into English on screen, read: “We are Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidwatu Wal-Jihad under Imam Abu. “Today, 19th April 2026, we are issuing a new message to the Borno South Youths Alliance and to the Nigerian government, which we do not recognise as our government. This is our first and final message. We are giving you 72 hours. “If our demands are not met, we will move these victims, including women and children, to different locations. All of them. You have made your decision, and we have made ours. We instruct you, in the name of Allah, not to exceed the given time.” However, the group did not state its demands in the video. “And take a look at them before we do so, because you may never see them again. If the government believes it can rescue them by force, you are free to try. We depend on Allah,” the group’s spokesperson added. He further stated, “Let this message reach the Borno South Youth Alliance and the Nigerian government. We do not act lightly. This is our message.” Earlier, the group had demanded ₦5 billion on Sunday night for the release of the victims. Confirming this, the President of the Borno South Youths Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, said the demand was communicated through a video described by the terrorists as a “final warning.” The statement read: “Borno South Youth Alliance wishes to inform the public and the international community that on 19th April 2026, Boko Haram reportedly issued a 72-hour ultimatum regarding ongoing mediation efforts for the release of the 416 Ngoshe women and children in their custody. “According to information received during the mediation process led by BOSYA President, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, a final warning video was sent after demands were communicated, including a ransom request of ₦5 billion for the release of the abducted women and children.” Samaila called on the government and concerned Nigerians to prioritise efforts to secure the victims’ release. “In view of the urgency of this humanitarian matter, BOSYA renews its appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, concerned Nigerians, and philanthropists, including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and other well-meaning Northern billionaires. “We respectfully call on all capable stakeholders to urgently intervene and use every lawful and available means to secure the freedom of these 416 women and children,” he said. It will be recalled that on March 4, PUNCH Online reported that the group attacked a military base in Ngoshe, burning operational vehicles, dispersing security forces, killing an unspecified number of people, and abducting several others.

US Sanctions Eight Nigerians Over Links to Boko Haram, Cybercrime

February 16, 2026 by admin

The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. This was contained in a 3,000-page document dated February 10, released by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and sighted by the correspondent on Monday. The document also identified individuals sanctioned for cybercrime-related offences and other security threats. The pronouncement comes on the heels of recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal were recommended by United States lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes. The OFAC document, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” detailed individuals of other nationalities and entities whose assets had been frozen, serving as a reference tool. It also provided notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests were blocked as part of counter-terrorism efforts. According to OFAC, the move forms part of its broader efforts to block the property and interests of Specially Designated Nationals and prevent financial dealings with them. “This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said. Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. Yusuf was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The six men were convicted in the UAE for attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria. Another individual, Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born on March 4, 1953, in Nigeria, was designated under SDNTK sanctions. He appeared under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso. Also designated was Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa. He was reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State, and was flagged under terrorism-related sanctions. Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was listed with varying birth years between 1990 and 1995. He was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned under terrorism provisions. Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, whose name appeared twice in the publication, was born in 1976 in Maiduguri, Nigeria. He was linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman. Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, in Nigeria, was listed with a Nigerian passport. He was reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and was linked to Boko Haram. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, was born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State. He was identified as having ties to ISIL. Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, in Nigeria, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list highlights Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats. The sanctions mean that all property and interests of these individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Nigerians listed under the US Treasury sanctions face asset freezes under Executive Order 13224. The United States officially designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013. According to the US State Department, the group is responsible for numerous attacks in the northern and northeastern regions of the country, as well as in the Lake Chad Basin in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, that have killed thousands of people since 2009. The US Secretary of State determines countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Such countries are designated under three laws: Section 1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, Section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and Section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. In October 2025, for the second time, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would be added to the US Department of State’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern.” Trump, in a post on X, explained that Nigeria would be placed on a religious freedom watchlist, alleging that Christians were facing persecution and being killed by Muslims. Nigeria was first designated as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under President Trump, but former President Joe Biden removed Nigeria from the list shortly after assuming office.

Borno Gov Warns of Possible Sabotage after Boko Haram Drone Attack

October 24, 2025 by admin

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed shock over the use of drones by Boko Haram terrorists to attack soldiers, saying that despite well-circulated intelligence that the Mafa area of the state would be attacked, troops could not prevent it from happening. Zulum disclosed this on Friday in Mafa town when he paid a post-assessment visit to areas attacked by Boko Haram in the early hours of Thursday. The governor, while briefing newsmen, expressed his grave concern over the emergence of this new threat, stating that the successful use of a drone by the terrorists to target a key military asset exposes a critical vulnerability in Nigeria’s airspace security. He said, “Honestly speaking, we have credible intelligence that Mafa will be attacked, and it has been duly circulated to all relevant authorities. I believe there is a need for us to come together, including the state and federal governments, as well as the military high command, to identify the gaps and address them directly.” “I believe there might be sabotage within that has to be identified and addressed. We don’t have to blame each other; we have to come together and resolve this situation,” the governor stated. Speaking on the drone use, the governor said, “One thing I want to comment on is the issue of drones. This is frightening. In Dikwa, I was told drones were used. The proliferation of drones, particularly in the hands of non-state actors, is of great concern for the entire country. We have to do something to stop the rampant use of armed drones,” Zulum said. The governor stressed that the incident is not just a concern for Borno State but a direct threat to national security. He called on the Federal Government to conduct an immediate and comprehensive review of the nation’s air safety and defence mechanisms. “Our borders need to be strengthened and our airspace needs to be strengthened as well. This is something that we need to address urgently; this is not an issue confined to Borno alone. This is the right time for the security architecture to thoroughly look into strengthening the capability of our airspace to curtail the use of armed drones by terrorists,” he said. While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces, Zulum also urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information on suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods. He said, “We are here to commiserate with the victims over what happened yesterday and build the confidence of our people.” The governor added, “I urge the community to be vigilant and report credible information to the Nigerian Armed Forces. The members of the CJTF should also be resilient enough to complement the effort of the Army.” PUNCH had reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States on Thursday. The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 0400 hours on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri, said the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the terrorists. The statement reads: “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) with renewed vigour successfully defeated terrorist attacks on multiple locations across the Joint Operations Area in the early hours of today, October 23, 2025. “Between midnight and 0400 hours, the terrorists launched coordinated assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko, situated in Sector 1 (Borno State) and Sector 2 (Yobe State) respectively,” he said. “The combined ground and air efforts resulted in the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations,” he said.

Buhari Never Mediated Boko Haram, Garba Shehu Replies Jonathan

October 3, 2025 by admin

A former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has dismissed claims by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan that his principal was once nominated by Boko Haram to mediate peace talks with the Federal Government. Shehu refuted the claim in a statement titled ‘Boko Haram did not nominate Buhari as their mediator’ on Friday. Shehu’s rebuttal came hours after Jonathan’s remarks at the public presentation of Scars, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), where the former president said Boko Haram insurgents once named Buhari as their preferred negotiator. Jonathan stated, “One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government. “So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.” In response, Shehu insisted Jonathan was “making a false start” ahead of a possible 2027 presidential bid. He stated, “Muhammed Yusuf or Abubakar Shekau, the deceased leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, never nominated Muhammadu Buhari for any such role. “In fact, Shekau routinely denounced and threatened Buhari, and their ideologies were in direct opposition,” he said, recalling that Buhari narrowly survived a 2014 Boko Haram bomb attack in Kaduna which left his aides injured. Shehu explained that the controversy stemmed from a 2012 press conference in Maiduguri by a faction led by Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who listed Buhari and several northern leaders as possible mediators. “Abdulaziz was roundly condemned by the leaders of Boko Haram, who claimed that he had ‘no mandate of their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau,’” he clarified. At the time, Buhari himself denied knowledge of the claim. Shehu quoted then-CPC National Secretary, Buba Galadima, as saying, “As at 10pm yesterday when I spoke with him, he said he has not even heard about it… since nobody has contacted him as a person, he would not speak to the press.” The matter was already a political flashpoint in the run-up to the 2015 elections. Rotimi Fashekun, the late CPC publicity secretary, had accused Jonathan’s PDP government of exploiting the rumour. “Without any scintilla of equivocation, General Muhammadu Buhari has never been directly or remotely connected with any insurrection or insurgency against the Nigerian nation and her people,” he said, describing Buhari as “the quintessential patriot that continues to magnetise the very best across the ethno-religious boundaries within the Nigerian nation-space.” Fashekun also alleged that the PDP bore responsibility for insecurity, claiming there were three variants of Boko Haram, the original sect, a criminal faction, and “the most lethal of all, the Political Boko Haram, which this PDP-led Federal Government represents.” Shehu added, “To be president in 2027, Goodluck Jonathan should look for another story to tell Nigerians… To win in 2027, Dr. Jonathan should look for a better story to tell Nigerians.”

Boko Haram Gives 72-Hour Deadline Over 416 Hostages

US Sanctions Eight Nigerians Over Links to Boko Haram, Cybercrime

Borno Gov Warns of Possible Sabotage after Boko Haram Drone Attack

Buhari Never Mediated Boko Haram, Garba Shehu Replies Jonathan

Stay Informed. Stay Ahead

Get the Morning Briefing

LEGAL

SECTIONS