Boko Haram escape Borno sees 12 abducted victims flee captivity in Ngoshe community and reach safety amid reported military operations

Twelve civilians abducted by suspected Boko Haram militants from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria, on Wednesday, April 23, 2026, have successfully escaped captivity and reached safety in a nearby settlement following reported military activity in the region.

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Boko Haram escape Borno incident involved ten men and two women who reportedly fled after insurgents abandoned some captives during a period of intensified security operations that disrupted their movement within the area.

A local source in Pulka confirmed that the escapees took advantage of the confusion caused by the military operations, which forced the armed group to temporarily withdraw from parts of the terrain with a number of abducted individuals.

According to the source, the development created an opening that allowed the captives to break free, while others remained under insurgent control.

A statement issued by the Borno South Youth Alliance also confirmed the escape, noting that the victims reached safety on Wednesday and are currently receiving support in a nearby town as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

The organisation described the development as a significant relief amid ongoing insecurity in the region, which has witnessed repeated attacks and mass abductions in recent years.

Among those who regained freedom were individuals identified as Aisha Audu, 20, Hajara Audu, 18 months, Aisha Idrisa, 17, Hafsat Idrisa, four months, Aisha Abubakar Bama, 22, Maryam Umar, 11 months, Zainabu Umar Mbasuwa, 22, Salma Abubakar, two months, Musa Umar, seven, Suleiman Umar, nine, Aisha Abubakar, 17, and Aisha Musa, 10.

The group had been among 416 people reportedly abducted during an attack on Ngoshe community on March 4, 2026, an incident that previously drew widespread concern after the insurgents released a video issuing a 72 hour ultimatum to government authorities with threats against the captives.

Security sources have not yet issued an official statement on the escape, but the development is being viewed as a rare moment of relief in a region still grappling with the long standing insurgency.

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Residents have described the escape as a powerful sign of hope, even as uncertainty remains over the fate of other victims still believed to be in captivity.