Boko Haram has confirmed the abduction of 416 persons from Gwoza, Borno State, by releasing proof-of-life videos to community leaders which revealed that a pregnant woman among the captives had given birth inside the kidnappers’ den.
The President of the Borno South Youths Alliance, Sama’ila Kaigama, said in an interview with News Central TV, “We’ve asked for video for proof of life. Then there are certain families that have communicated with me. They’ve contacted me about their family members who were kidnapped. I think there is a man who has four of his sons and his wife, she actually gave birth in the den of the kidnappers. She just gave birth to a baby,” he said.
Kaigama explained that the videos were obtained through mediation efforts and only after community leaders insisted on receiving proof of life before any demands would be entertained.
He noted that the footage showed the man’s wife, his mother-in-law, and five of his children along with other women who many had feared were already dead. The release of the videos, while offering some relief to desperate families, has also deepened the urgency for a resolution as the captives remain in the hands of the terrorist group........…