12 Boko Haram Captives Break Free as Military Offensive Forces Insurgents to Flee

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Twelve abductees held by Boko Haram have escaped captivity and reached safety after a military offensive disrupted insurgent operations in Gwoza Local Government Area.

The victims—10 men and two women—were among those kidnapped during the March 4, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community. Their escape came amid intensified military activity that reportedly forced the insurgents to abandon some captives while fleeing the area.

A source in Pulka disclosed that the victims seized the opportunity to escape during the chaos.

“One of the victims told us that there were military operations in the area which forced the insurgents to abandon some of them and escape with the majority of the captives,” the source said.

The Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed the development in a statement, revealing that the escape occurred on Wednesday and that the victims have since arrived safely in a nearby town.

Those who regained freedom include Aisha Audu (20), Hajara Audu (18 months), Aisha Idrisa (17), Hafsat Idrisa (four months), Aisha Abubakar Bama (22), Maryam Umar (11 months), Zainabu Umar Mbasuwa (22), Salma Abubakar (two months), Musa Umar (7), Suleiman Umar (9), Aisha Abubakar (17), and Aisha Musa (10).

The escape offers a glimmer of hope amid fears for hundreds still in captivity. At least 416 people were abducted during the Ngoshe attack, with the insurgents earlier issuing a 72-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government and Borno State authorities, threatening to kill the captives if their demands were not met.

Security efforts continue in the region as authorities intensify operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and dismantling insurgent strongholds.