Boko Haram Demands 500M CFA per Hostage for Kidnapped Chadian Nationals

Boko Haram issued ransom demands of up to 500 million CFA francs (approximately $900,000 USD) per surviving hostage for the six remaining Chadian nationals kidnapped in Niger's border region (one was killed on or around April 3). The demand was confirmed through reporting by Vanguard Nigeria and includes a physician among the hostages. The ransom demand illustrates Boko Haram's continued use of kidnapping as both a revenue-generating tool and a coercive tactic against neighboring states. Chad has experienced repeated cross-border incursions from Boko Haram/ISWAP elements in the Lake Chad basin, and the kidnapping of Chadian professionals in Niger intensifies pressure on N'Djamena's security services and the broader MNJTF counter-terrorism framework. No timeline for release was provided.