Families of 176 residents abducted by terrorists in Woro community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, have alleged that the kidnappers threatened to marry the 'beautiful' female captives and kill the remaining hostages if their demands are not met. The victims were kidnapped on February 3, 2026.
Ransom Rejected Despite Community Efforts
The families revealed that they raised more than N155 million through community contributions to secure the victims' freedom, but the terrorists rejected the ransom and continued to hold the captives. Speaking in an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa Service, a Kaiama indigene, Abdul Ibrahim, said the abductors warned that they would force attractive female captives into marriage and kill the others if their demands were not met.
Ibrahim appealed to the Kwara State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to step up efforts to rescue the victims, stating that the families had exhausted all available options. 'We have done everything within our means. The money was raised, yet our people have not been released. Their suffering continues, and families are living in agony,' he said.
Peaceful Protests Fail to Bring Intervention
Ibrahim added that peaceful protests organized by community members also failed to secure the intervention they had hoped for. The terrorists had previously given the Federal Government a one-week ultimatum in April, threatening to kill the captives if their demands were not met.
Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to extend to Kaiama the same efforts that recently led to the rescue of abductees in Oyo State. He noted that hundreds of Kaiama residents had remained in terrorist camps for months and deserved the same level of attention.
Families Hold Out Hope After Oyo Rescues
Bukata said the rescue of Oyo victims had given families in Kaiama hope that their loved ones could also be freed. 'Every extra day in captivity exposes the victims to greater danger and hardship,' he added.
Commenting on the broader security situation in northern Nigeria, Senator Adamu Aliero described the growing insecurity as a major concern but argued that the Federal Government should not be blamed for inadequate funding of security operations. He said the National Assembly had consistently approved funding requests from security agencies to support the fight against terrorism.
