Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists have reportedly opened negotiations for the release of 50 captives abducted at different areas in Borno State, excluding the 78 schoolchildren who were also taken during the same incidents in the state.
The terrorists according to the report obtained by our correspondent on Saturday in Maiduguri, called on the government to come forward using a journalist to negotiate the release of over 50 abducted residents in state.
The victims were abducted from several locations in the state including the 16 travellers abducted along the Biu-Burutai road in the month of April this year while heading to Maiduguri.
The 42 Mussa pupils and the 36 Lassa students abducted between May and June this year were not part of the 50 captives the terrorists are seeking negotiation for their freedom.
It could be recalled that following the abduction of the 16 travellers along Biu- Buratai road, the Spokesperson for families of the abducted victims, Hassan Yati confirmed to Journalists in Maiduguri ,that the abductors have provided families with a proof-of-life photograph and voice notes of the captives.
Yati added that the group demanded that the government open the path for negotiation, which must be through a journalist (name withheld).
He said they received voice notes telling them that their abducted family members are alive .
Yati noted that many in captivity are more than the number of their abducted family members, saying they are over 50 in numbers there”
“Government should reach out to them through a journalist mediator they have chosen with name I am withholding,” he stated.
The spokesman, however noted that they are willing to provide every necessary information received to the government.
“So if the government reach out to us, we will link them up with the journalist and they can pick it from there,” he said.
When asked about other demands, Yati said the terriorists group are willing to further open up to the government.
“It don’t have to be ransom like the case of Oyo. The government has the cards,” he stressed.
He, however, called on the federal and state government to act in the interest of families who have lived in agony since their abduction.
“The demand of the terrorists is simple. Let the government engage them through the mediator they chose already,” he added.
Our correspondent gathered that 16 of the victims including a seven-month-old baby, and her mother, a pregnant woman with a 3 year old baby, and a couple travelling together are among those abducted while travelling from Biu to Maiduguri on 15th of Aprill.
Others are some recent graduates, students and two siblings who sat in the boot of the vehicle due to their inability to pay the transportation fair.
It could be further recalled that, on 23 of July, families of the 16 victims and others in captivity converged at the Nigeria Union of Journalists press centre in Maiduguri , where they marked the 100 days of the abduction and appealed to the government to expedite action for their release.
However, there has been a fresh wave of concern over the welfare and survival of 78 Borno school children in terriorists den after their abduction in separate attacks on schools in Askira Uba local government area of the state.
The concern also span across the whereabout of the children, their health status amidst cholera surge in the state, even as the government reportedly released the proof-of-life video of some of the schoolchildren, particularly the abducted 42 Mussa pupils.
