Senate urges Federal Government to rescue 416 Boko Haram captives in Borno
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of 416 women, children, and elderly persons held captive by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State since March 30, 2026. This call follows renewed insurgent attacks on military formations and fresh threats from the terrorists against any forceful rescue attempt. The resolution stemmed from a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and co-sponsored by Senators Ali Ndume and Kaka Lawan, highlighting recent coordinated attacks on military formations in Monguno and Benisheikh. Senator Ndume warned that insurgents have threatened to disperse the abducted victims if urgent action is not taken. The Senate condemned the continued attacks, observed a minute of silence for fallen soldiers, and urged the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs to conduct a comprehensive operational and logistical audit of affected military formations. Lawmakers also called for strengthened adherence to rules of engagement and international humanitarian law, thorough investigation of harm to civilians, and encouraged local communities to support security agencies. This development follows a video released by a Boko Haram faction showing the abducted victims in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, and warning against rescue attempts, threatening to disperse victims if demands are not met within 72 hours. The victims were abducted after an attack on a military base in Ngoshe in early March.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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