. 3 soldiers killed in fresh terrorists attacks
. As over 416 kidnap victims remain captives
. CDS charges troops to crush bandits, ensure lasting peace
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Boko Haram terrorists have released a video daring the Nigerian government to attempt a forceful rescue of 416 abducted victims 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.
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.
However, terrorists have once again invaded another Kwara community, this time, they reportedly attacked Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving their usual trade marks, sorrow, death and blood.
The terrorists were said to have carried out their dastardly act in the early hours of Monday, around 3:00 am, days after the community allegedly received a threat notice that heightened fear among residents.
The terrorists stormed the community, fired indiscriminately and forced villagers to flee.
Security operatives, including soldiers and local vigilantes, responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
Punch reported that accounts from the scene showed that several soldiers were killed while repelling the attack, while a member of a local vigilante group was also shot.
“It’s very pathetic and disheartening. The entire community is in a state of panic, and many villagers have fled.
No one can yet predict the number of victims involved,” Aliyu, a resident of Kaiama, said.
The attackers also reportedly made away with military patrol vehicles and motorcycles before fleeing.
“The terrorists came directly to the military camp and opened fire on soldiers,” a forest guard who fights alongside military operatives said”, “They killed three soldiers and injured four others (three soldiers and a local vigilante).”
Another local vigilante source noted that some of the attackers were killed during the gun battle.
Although multiple armed groups operate in the area, the attack has been linked to Ansaru fighters, who have previously engaged security forces in the village in a fierce gun battle.
Meanwhile, security experts have renewed calls for urgent reform of Nigeria’s policing system, citing recent killings in Kaduna State and persistent insurgency in the North-East as clear evidence of the limitations of the current centralised structure.
The position is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 46th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) recently, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
The communiqué noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with complex and widespread security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent conflicts, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.
It observed that the current centralised policing framework under the Nigeria Police Force is overstretched, with about 371,800 personnel serving a population of over 200 million.
This, according to the communique, is resulting in a police-to-population ratio of 1:740, far below the United Nations recommended 1:450.
According to the experts, the structure has led to slow decision-making, inadequate local response, and operational gaps, noting that despite governors being designated as Chief Security Officers, they lack effective control over police commands in their states.
The communiqué added that military deployments across many states for internal security duties had further stretched the Armed Forces, underscoring the need for a more sustainable and locally responsive policing system.
It also Identified weak intelligence implementation, poor funding, inadequate logistics, corruption and public distrust as major challenges affecting policing effectiveness nationwide.
The experts warned that while concerns exist over the potential misuse of state police by political actors, these risks could be mitigated through strong legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms and clear operational guidelines.
They, therefore, advocated a hybrid policing model integrating state police and community policing, while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the central coordinating authority.
The communiqué recommended constitutional amendments to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, stressing that such reforms would enhance intelligence gathering, improve response time, and strengthen community trust.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Taraba State Chapter, Rev. Andemun Musa has appealed to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, to tackle the security challenges in Northern Nigeria, especially the targeted attacks on Christians.
He also urged the President to address the high cost of fuel in the country, which he said is affecting residents and making it difficult for civil servants to commute.
The Chairman stated this during the 2026 1st Quarter Combined Service of the TEKAN/ECWA, held at the CAN Secretariat, Jalingo.
He suggested measures such as transport support or flexible work arrangements.
The Chairman further drew attention to the plight of displaced persons in Takum, Donga, and Ussa local government areas, urging urgent intervention, especially with the onset of the rainy season and the risk of food shortages.
He appreciated members for attending and emphasised the need for Christians to remain united, reject tribalism, and support one another.
He urged the church to live as “the salt of the earth” and uphold genuine Christian values.
Musa also encouraged members to prepare for the 2027 elections by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participating actively in the electoral process.
He commended the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas for his efforts in security, road construction, and the review of allowances for medical students, while also calling for continued prayers for the state leadership.
Rev Musa also tasked Nigeria’s leadership on solving the economic hardship faced by poor Nigerians.
The clergy also commended Kefas for the improved security enjoyed in the State, and other policies that have positively impacted the masses.
The Guest Speaker and Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) who is the Mission Districts Of Cameroon and Senegal, Bishop Ande Emmanuel called on Christians to always listen to the voice of God despite the many distractions faced in life.
Bishop Emmanuel who themed his sermon, “Be Still” and quoted the Bible from Psalms 46:10, urged Christians to always seek God, despite the economic, political, and social distractions of life.
Bishop Emmanuel decried the division in the Christian community, adding that ” unless we listen to the Holy Spirit, and follow the direction of the Bible, alot of things will continue to go wrong.”
The Bishop added that Christians must be still to hear the voice of God, noting that “if we refuse to be still and hear the voice of God, a time will come that we will be forced to be still in death.”
He also decried the divisions among Christians due to denominations and other trivial issues, and cautioned that church denominations will not take anyone to heaven, neither are there church positions in heaven.
However, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to intensify ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal elements in the North West, stressing that Nigeria must be made safe at all cost.
General Oluyede gave the charge during his operational visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), in Gusau, Zamfara State.
The visit was aimed at assessing operational readiness, addressing challenges confronting troops and boosting morale in the ongoing campaign to restore peace and security in the region.
This was contained in the statement signed by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.
Addressing troops, General Oluyede commended their resilience, courage and sacrifices in the defence of the nation. He urged them to remain disciplined, professional and relentless in the fight against banditry and terrorism.
“The safety of our citizens rests on our shoulders. You must remain resolute and go after these criminals until they are eliminated. We must make Nigeria safe at all cost,” he said.
The CDS assured troops of continued support in the areas of welfare, training and provision of necessary operational equipment to enable them discharge their duties effectively. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustaining pressure on criminal groups until lasting peace is restored across the North West and the entire nation. General Oluyede acknowledged the importance of air support in ongoing operations and noted that efforts were underway to enhance operational capabilities through additional platforms and improved coordination across theatres of operations.
As part of the visit, the CDS paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Dauda Lawal where the CDS appreciated him for his continued support to Operation FANSAN YAMMA as well as the military generally. He also commended the people of Zamfara for their cooperation and called for sustained collaboration, particularly in the area of timely and credible intelligence sharing.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices and sustained efforts towards restoring peace in Zamfara State and the wider North West region.
The visit featured an operational briefing, interaction with troops, assessment of troops’ deployments and media engagement.
