Nearly six months after terrorists abducted 176 residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, desperate families have renewed their appeal to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to urgently secure the victims’ release amid fresh fears over their safety.
The renewed appeal followed disturbing claims that the abductors have threatened to forcibly marry some of the female captives they described as “beautiful” while killing the remaining hostages if their demands are not met.
The abductees, mostly women and children, were seized during a deadly attack on Woro community on February 3, 2026. The assault left scores of residents dead, displaced many families and forced survivors to abandon their homes. Since then, the victims have remained in captivity despite repeated appeals by community leaders and relatives.
Speaking in an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa Service, a Kaiama indigene, Abdul Ibrahim, said the terrorists had communicated the latest threats through the captives, deepening the anguish of families who have waited for months without any breakthrough.
According to him, the affected communities had mobilised resources and raised over N155 million through community crowdfunding in a desperate effort to secure the release of their loved ones. However, he alleged that the abductors rejected the money, leaving the victims in captivity.
“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,” Ibrahim said.
He added that peaceful demonstrations organised by residents and appeals to relevant authorities had yet to produce the desired intervention, urging both the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to intensify rescue operations before the situation deteriorates further.
The latest claims echo earlier warnings issued by community leaders in April when the abductors allegedly threatened to kill the captives if their demands were not met. At the time, the traditional ruler of Woro, Salihu Bio, whose wife is among those abducted, disclosed that one of the victims was briefly allowed to contact relatives and reported that the captives were still alive. According to the community, the abductors also threatened to marry off the women and kill weaker hostages.
Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to replicate the strategy that recently led to the rescue of kidnapped victims in neighbouring Oyo State.
He said the successful operation had rekindled hope among families in Kaiama, stressing that residents of the community deserved the same level of commitment from security agencies.
“The rescue in Oyo has shown that determined and coordinated security efforts can produce results. We are pleading that similar attention be given to Kaiama because every additional day in captivity exposes these innocent people to greater danger,” he said.
Last week, residents, women and youths staged a peaceful protest in Kaiama, carrying placards demanding the immediate rescue of the abductees. Community leaders lamented that more than 170 days had passed without any official update on efforts to free the victims, describing the prolonged captivity as a humanitarian tragedy.
Similarly, the Kaiama Development Association and the Batombu Unity and Development Initiative Abuja recently raised concerns over the worsening security situation in Kaiama and neighbouring Baruten Local Government Area, warning that terrorists had continued to establish hideouts around the Borgu Game Reserve.
The groups urged the Federal Government to launch sustained military operations to dismantle terrorist camps, rescue the Woro captives and improve road infrastructure to enhance security response across Kwara North.
Commenting on the security challenges confronting northern Nigeria, Senator Adamu Aliero lamented the persistent wave of terrorism but argued that the National Assembly had consistently approved funding requests for security operations.
According to him, the continued activities of terrorists reflected the complexity of the country’s security challenges rather than inadequate funding alone.
The senator renewed his advocacy for the establishment of state police, insisting that governors should be constitutionally empowered and adequately supported to establish local policing structures capable of responding swiftly to emerging security threats.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official response from the Federal Government or the Kwara State Government to the latest allegations made by the victims’ families regarding the reported threats by the abductors. Security agencies have also not publicly confirmed the alleged ultimatum or the claim that the N155 million community-raised ransom was rejected.