Boko Haram Wants Buhari's Government To Pay $500, 000 Before Releasing Abducted Aid Workers

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have demanded a sum of $500, 000 for the release of four humanitarian workers and a security guard who were abducted along the Monguno/Maiduguri highway.

In a two-minute and 37 seconds footage from the terrorist group on Sunday, the humanitarian workers from Action Against Hunger, Rich International, International Rescue Committee and staff of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) urged the government to do something about their condition.

In the video exclusively received by Daily Trust, all the abductors were shown sitting on local mats begging the authorities for intervention. One of them narrated, “My name is Abdulrahman Babagana. “I am the camp Manager of SEMA in Monguno.

“I left Monguno on our way to Maiduguri but they captured me on that day and we came to their base. Now, I am in their hands.

“I am begging the government to rescue me from this plight. It was June 1st we encounter them and as I am speaking, it is June 21st.

“Please, come and rescue me,” Abdulrahman begged.

A Staff of Reach International, Abdulrahman Dungus said: “On my way going back to Monguno, we were caught by this army called the Khalifa on the 8th June.

“I am appealing to my organisation to do whatever they can to get me out of here,” he begged.

On his part, a private security guard said: “My name is Joseph Prince. I am a staff of Alje Security Organization.

“On my way from Maiduguri to Monguno for an official assignment on the 1st June 2020 as at 11:37am, we encountered Khalifa soldiers and they captured us and of course took us to where we are now.

“As I speak to you now, today’s date is 21st June year 2020. I am still in their custody. I am requesting that my organisation should please rescue me. Thank you.”

Ishaiku Yakubu, a staff of Action Against Hunger, an NGO in Borno State, said: “On the 8th of June 2020, on our way going back to Maiduguri from Monguno, we were caught by this army called the Khalifa.

“They brought us here and actually we don’t know where we are. I want to beg my organisation; Action Against Hunger, to do something about me to see how I can be released, ” he pleaded.

Another captive, Luka Filubus of International Rescue Committee (IRC), based in Monguno Local Government Area, said: “On 8th of June, I left Monguno for Maiduguri and had an encounter with Khalifa soldiers.

“They captured me and brought me to their base. As I am speaking with you, it’s 21st of June. So, I am appealing to IRC to come and rescue me from Khalifa soldiers.”

But a report on DailyTrust says that the group now demands $500,000 for the humanitarian workers to regain their freedom.