The video shows the three adults and four children sitting on the floor, with masked gunmen in camouflage attire in front of them.
One of the male hostages reads a statement in French, saying the kidnappers are of the Boko Haram militant group based in Nigeria.
A gunman speaks in Arabic to explain the hostages have been taken in revenge for France’s intervention in Mali, and that they will be killed unless the Nigerian and Cameroonian governments release Boko Haram members from custody.
However, on Sunday a Boko Haram spokesperson told a press conference in Maiduguri, Nigeria that the kidnappers are unknown to the group and are not members.
Meanwhile, Jean-Yves Le Drien, France’s Defence Minister, has spoken out on the RTL Radio channel, stating unequivocally that the country does not and will not negotiate with hostage-takers.
