Senator Ndume Rejects Boko Haram Ransom Demands As 72-Hour Deadline For 416 Captives Expires

Senator Ali Ndume stands firm on the government's no-ransom policy as the 72-hour deadline expires for 416 abducted victims in Borno State.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 5:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Firm Stance Against Terrorist Demands

As the 72-hour ultimatum issued by Boko Haram insurgents expires, Senator Ali Ndume has declared that the Federal Government remains committed to its policy of non-payment of ransoms. Speaking on Wednesday, the lawmaker representing Borno South emphasized that yielding to financial pressure would only embolden terrorists and compromise the authority of the Nigerian state. While acknowledging the "unbelievable and shocking" nature of the mass abduction in Muoshi village, Ndume maintained that the government must act within the law to secure the release of the captives without incentivizing further attacks.

Clarifying The Scale Of The Abduction

Initial reports regarding the early March raid on Muoshi village suggested that over 500 residents had been seized. However, Senator Ndume provided a confirmed figure of 416 victims, consisting largely of women and children. The Senator noted that the proximity of the village to the Maiduguri-Mubi road—just 12 kilometers away—raises significant questions regarding the density of security presence in the area. He described the victims as his direct constituents, many of whom are known to him personally, adding a layer of community devastation to the national security crisis.

Debunking Narratives Of Targeted Killings

Addressing international and online discourse regarding the nature of the insurgency in Borno, Ndume dismissed claims of "Christian genocide" in the region. He clarified that the 416 captives include both Christians and Muslims, with a significant majority being Muslim. According to the Senator, Boko Haram’s indiscriminate abductions prove that the group is a threat to all innocent civilians regardless of faith. He urged observers to view the crisis as a humanitarian and security failure rather than a targeted religious cleansing.