Borno Abductors Say Ready for Negotiation, Tell Families

Borno State – Suspected Boko Haram terrorists holding more than 50 abducted residents of Borno State have called on the government to negotiate their release through a journalist they selected as mediator, families of the victims have said.

The abductors reportedly reached out through the chosen intermediary to signal their readiness for talks, though details of their specific demands were not immediately disclosed by security agencies or the families involved.

The mass abduction adds to a pattern of large scale kidnappings in Nigeria’s North East, where insurgent and bandit groups have continued to target rural communities despite sustained military operations against their strongholds.

Security agencies have not confirmed whether they will engage directly with the abductors’ chosen mediator, with the Federal Government having previously maintained a firm no negotiation stance in similar high profile cases.

Families of the victims say they remain anxious for updates, with community leaders continuing to appeal to both the government and security agencies to prioritise the safe return of those held captive.

The case adds further pressure on security agencies already managing multiple concurrent abduction cases across Nigeria’s North East and North West regions.