Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed five abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, with a video of the victims circulating online.
The disturbing footage, said to have been obtained through the Borno South Youth Alliance, allegedly showed members of the terrorist group displaying the bodies of the victims while chanting slogans.
The incident followed an earlier 72-hour ultimatum reportedly issued by the insurgents to the Federal Government over the fate of hundreds of abducted persons held in captivity.
The victims were among 416 residents, mostly women and children, abducted during attacks on communities in the area.
Reports indicated that the slain men were allegedly killed after attempting to escape from the terrorists’ hideout.
President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the group received the video at about 5:18 pm on Tuesday.
“Borno South Youth Alliance yesterday received a disturbing video showing the execution of about four to five men, both old and young, who reportedly attempted to escape from JAS/Boko Haram captivity,” the statement read.
Kaigama lamented that despite sustained mediation and humanitarian appeals, many of the abducted victims had remained abandoned in captivity under harsh conditions.
He appealed to Nigerians, political leaders and international organisations to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing the release of the remaining captives, warning that more lives were at risk as several victims were reportedly ill and living in dire conditions.