This was contained in audio that went viral, yesterday, in which a voice of one of the terrorists threatened “to slaughter the victims because the government failed to seek their release.”

The threat was made as the remaining 50 hostages’ loved ones and friends protested peacefully in Kaduna yesterday, pleading with the government to ensure the passengers’ release.

The spokesman of a popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, Malam Tukur Mamu, who had earlier played the role of lead negotiator before 11 hostages were released by their captors, confirmed to journalists that the audio was real.

He said: “The terrorists fixed Wednesday (yesterday) to carry out the threat because they were provoked on Monday after giving us another opportunity.

“I was crying and pleading with them that since there is a delay from the government, they should discuss with the family members directly to negotiate the victims’ release.

“Based on the plea, they agreed to negotiate directly with the victims’ families. But they said they are giving us till Wednesday (yesterday), that if there was nothing concrete from those that are interested in the negotiation, they will start slaughtering some of the victims.”

We are praying they will spend the Eid Kabir with us — Families

Families and relatives of the remaining passengers who are still in the terrorists’ hideout protested in the streets yesterday over the government’s failure to secure their loved ones’ release 100 days after.

Leader of the family forum, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, who spoke to journalists during the protest, said:  “Today  (yesterday) is exactly 100 days since our loved ones were abducted. It was meant to be a journey of two hours, however, it turned out to be 100 harrowing days. Since then, things have not been the same with us.

“One cannot imagine what our loved ones are going through in these last 100 days in the deep forest —the same clothes, no clean water to drink, no medical care. Many of them are sick, one has even been shot and injured, and we don’t know his condition now.

“We have been talking to the government, we have been appealing to them in the last 100 days to rescue our loved ones but so far, we have not seen much.

“It is really very disappointing, we are appealing again to the government to do all that is necessary to bring out our loved ones in the shortest time possible.

“If you remember our loved ones spent their Easter in the bush, the Eid Fitr in the bush. Today, we are just three days away from Eid Kabir, we are praying they will spend Eid Kabir with us. This is our hope and prayer.”

“We want the government to do all that is necessary. We know it’s possible, they can do it, they should do it please.”

“It is a responsibility they owe us as Nigerian citizens, we are citizens in our country, we should be free to move everywhere, we should be protected.

“We have surrendered our sovereignty; we have surrendered our security to the government and it’s incumbent on them to do what is necessary to protect us.

‘’Our loved ones are in captivity for 100 days now. we are appealing to Mr. President and his security chiefs to do what is necessary within their powers.

“We know they can do it and should do it for us please in the name of God.  We are all vulnerable to this situation.

‘’We are expecting them in the next few hours by the special grace of God, not even days. We know they are on it, they should conclude it”.