Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have released a video showing two abducted men in Borno State, including a former local government chairman, appealing for assistance to secure their freedom.
One of the captives identified himself as Hassan Biu Miringa, a former chairman of Biu Local Government Area, who served between 2020 and 2022. In the footage, Miringa said he and another individual were kidnapped in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the insurgents since then.
According to Miringa, the abductors are demanding a total ransom of $300,000 for their release, with each captive required to pay $150,000. He said negotiations had been ongoing and that the captives were making a public appeal as discussions reached a critical stage.
“I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former chairman of Biu Local Government. About two weeks ago, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa. By the grace of God, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives,” he said in the video.
Miringa added that the captives had engaged their abductors on several occasions and claimed that some preliminary agreements had been reached. He appealed directly to political and community leaders from southern Borno to intervene on their behalf.
He specifically mentioned Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Umar Kadafur, the member representing Biu, Kwaya and Shani in the House of Representatives, Betera Aliyu, as well as traditional and community leaders, urging them to assist in raising the ransom to enable their release and reunification with their families.
The video, shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama, has renewed concerns over the persistence of kidnappings and insurgent activity in parts of southern Borno, despite ongoing military operations aimed at restoring security in the region.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained a major security challenge in northeastern Nigeria, with public officials, traditional leaders and civilians increasingly targeted by armed groups operating in remote communities.