Boko Haram terrorists have given the Nigerian government 72 hours to pay a ransom of five billion naira or they will share out more than 400 women and children they hold from Ngoshe community in Borno State.
The terrorists released a video on Monday that shows the hostages, who come mainly from the Gwoza area.
In the footage the group issues a clear warning.
They say the authorities must meet their demand or the captives will not return.
Mediators from the Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed the figure of 416 people still in captivity and passed on the ultimatum.
The abduction took place last month when the terrorists overran Ngoshe during an evening raid.
Residents fled into the surrounding hills while many women and children fell into the hands of the fighters.
Local leaders, including Senator Ali Ndume, spoke at the time about the scale of the operation and the immediate displacement of thousands of people who sought safety in nearby Pulka.
Since then, quiet talks have gone on through community groups.
The terrorists first named their price and then set the short deadline.
They also told the military not to attempt any rescue operation.
One voice in the video states that failure to pay will mean the women and children disappear for good.
This latest move follows a long pattern in the northeast where Boko Haram uses large groups of captives to put pressure on the government.
Families in southern Borno now wait with growing concern as the hours tick down.
Community leaders have appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu for urgent action to bring everyone home safely.
Security forces continue operations across the region, but the situation in Gwoza remains tense.
Residents say they live with the constant fear that another raid could happen at any time.
For now, all eyes stay on whether the deadline passes without further harm to those held since March.
