Twelve of the 416 people abducted by Boko Haram in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, have escaped.

The escapees — 10 men and 2 women — fled after a military operation targeted a Boko Haram location, forcing the terrorists to abandon some captives, a source in Pulka said.

“One of the victims told us there were military operations in the area which forced the insurgents to abandon some of them and escape with the majority of the captives,” the source said.

The escape comes days after Boko Haram issued a 72-hour ultimatum to state and federal authorities, threatening to keep the victims permanently. The group had warned that any attempt to rescue the captives by force would be met with resistance and the victims would be moved to different locations.

NewsRegion had reported the ultimatum on Tuesday.

With the escape, 404 of the original 416 abducted residents remain in Boko Haram custody.