Nigerian armed group demands $3.6 million ransom for over 400 hostages

The armed group Boko Haram has demanded a ransom of 5 billion Nigerian naira (over $3.6 million) from the Nigerian government in exchange for the release of 416 women and children it is holding captive.

The group issued the ultimatum on April 19 through local channels, giving authorities 72 hours to comply. It also warned that no further statements would be made on the matter, Caliber.Az reports per Nigerian media. 

The militants said that if the ransom is not paid within the deadline, the hostages would be relocated to undisclosed areas, after which their fate would be uncertain.

The captives were taken on March 4 during an attack in Nigeria’s Borno State, a region that has long been affected by insurgent violence involving Boko Haram.

By Sabina Mammadli