Just In: Boko Haram Faction Brutally Beheads Borno Captives After Failed Escape Attempt

A faction of Boko Haram terrorists known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) has beheaded more than seven victims who attempted to escape from their captivity in Borno State, in a horrifying incident that has further exposed the worsening humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s North-East. SaharaReporters gathered that the gruesome incident occurred on Tuesday evening inside one of the terrorists’ hideouts, where dozens of abducted civilians, mostly women and children, are still being held under brutal conditions. A disturbing video obtained by SaharaReporters, which could not be published due to its extremely gory content, showed armed terrorists, including children, surrounding the victims after they were captured. The victims were then executed after their escape attempt failed. Sources described that their bodies were later displayed in a cruel manner inside the camp as a warning to others. According to multiple accounts, the victims, said to be more than seven, were caught while attempting to flee captivity. The terrorists carried out the executions in front of other abductees, intensifying fear among the remaining captives. SaharaReporters also gathered that the same faction of terrorists is still holding about 416 women and children in captivity. A source revealed that within the group of abductees, some children have fallen sick and died due to harsh conditions, starvation, and lack of medical care, adding that the terrorists themselves reportedly buried the deceased victims within the camp area. The source further explained that the situation inside the camp remains dire, with continuous suffering among the abducted civilians. Meanwhile, the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) has raised an alarm over the worsening situation, saying it has made several attempts to intervene and negotiate the safe release of at least 50 women and children from the total number of 416 captives. Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, BOSYA said it received a disturbing video at about 5:18 PM on Tuesday showing the execution of men, both young and old, who reportedly tried to escape from JAS/Boko Haram captivity. “We at Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) have tried every possible intervention and humanitarian process available, yet the 416 women, children, and a few men in captivity have largely been abandoned to their fate,” the group said. BOSYA stressed that the video was not shared to promote terrorism or violence, but to draw urgent attention to the deteriorating situation in captivity. “This video is not intended to promote terrorism or any act related to it, but rather to expose the painful reality on the ground, a reality we have spent over two months trying to prevent through continuous mediation and humanitarian pleas,” the group added. The youth organisation made a passionate appeal to Nigerians across all regions, political actors, and international organisations to urgently intervene in securing the release of the captives. “Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) is calling on well-meaning Southern Borno indigenes, political office holders, political aspirants, every patriotic Nigerian from the North, South, East, and West, as well as international organizations, to urgently come to the rescue of these 416 women and children by supporting efforts toward the release of the first 50 women and children as earlier announced,” BOSYA said. The group further revealed the escalating toll of the crisis inside the camp. “Four to five people are already dead. More victims are sick, and some men who attempted to escape have now been killed,” it said. It added: “Lives are involved, and unimaginable suffering is taking place in captivity among these helpless people who feel abandoned and forgotten.”