Nigeria and Boko Haram Reportedly Maintained Secret Three-Month Ceasefire Following Hostage Release, Despite Public No-Negotiation Stance

The Nigerian government and the Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro have allegedly maintained a secret ceasefire for three months beginning in June 2026, following behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the release of 360 civilians abducted from Ngoshe village in Borno State, according to an investigation by The New Humanitarian first published September 7. Three sources with contacts inside Boko Haram, including senior members, independently confirmed the truce and said it could be extended for another 40 days. The reported agreement marks a significant departure from the Federal Government's publicly stated refusal to negotiate with terrorist organizations and comes as President Bola Tinubu continues to emphasize military expansion, announcing plans in July to recruit 30,000 additional soldiers and create four new army divisions to crush terrorism and banditry.

The reported ceasefire does not include Islamic State West Africa Province, a rival armed group that continues to fight both Nigerian forces and Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region. Al Jazeera and other outlets note they have not been able to independently verify the reported ceasefire or any alleged payments. Behind the scenes, there have been repeated attempts to establish dialogue with Boko Haram, according to security officials, diplomats, and mediators cited by The New Humanitarian, suggesting the government may be realizing a military response alone is inadequate. The mass kidnapping that preceded the negotiations occurred in March 2026 during a Boko Haram attack on a nearby army base in the foothills of the Mandara mountains near the Cameroon border.

Sources

Sources: The New Humanitarian (original investigation), Premium Times, ICIR Nigeria, Al Jazeera, AllAfrica, Yahoo News. Details on ceasefire duration, hostage release, Tinubu's military expansion plans, and ISWAP exclusion verified across multiple outlets.