Fresh revelations have emerged about the fate of 176 residents abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, with community sources alleging that the kidnappers have demanded ₦20 million for each victim, pushing the total ransom to ₦3.52 billion.
The victims were reportedly seized during a deadly raid earlier this year by suspected terrorists believed to be linked to Boko Haram, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Residents say weeks of silence from authorities reflect ongoing butunsuccessful negotiations between the terrorists and representatives of the state government.
“The terrorists have already reached out through negotiators,” a community source told reporters.
“They demanded ₦20 million for each of the 176 abducted people. That is the offer on the table now.”
The staggering demand, amounting to billions of naira, has reportedly created a stalemate, with the government unwilling to pay the amount.
“What is causing the silence from the government is that the negotiation has not succeeded,” the source said.
“The government is not willing to pay that amount, so discussions are continuing quietly behind the scenes.”
Fear, Silence and Desperation
Families of the abducted residents say the prolonged uncertainty has plunged the community into deep anguish.
Relatives fear some captives, particularly pregnant women and children, may already have died in captivity due to the harsh conditions in forest hideouts where the terrorists are believed to be holding them.
“We are living in fear every day,” one relative said.
“Since they were taken, we have not heard anything from the terrorists or from the government.”
The relative added that the community has been left in the dark since the abductors released a video nearly a month ago showing dozens of victims in captivity.
“We are especially worried about the pregnant women and the children,” the source said.
“If they are in the bush without food or medical care, how can they survive this long?”
Another resident described the mood in the community as one of grief and growing despair.
“Our hearts are heavy every day,” the resident said.
“We don’t know whether our people are alive or dead. We are begging the government to act.”
Allegations of Limited Security Response
Community insiders say security forces deployed to the area are largely stationed at a primary school in Woro, rather than conducting operations inside the forests where the hostages are believed to be held.
“They are not entering the forest,” the source alleged.
Residents say the situation mirrors a previous kidnapping incident in Eruku, where victims were eventually released after negotiations rather than a rescue operation.
“No one has been arrested until today,” the source added.
Disturbing Video of Hostages
Earlier reports indicated that the terrorists released a video showing dozens of abducted victims, including women, children and a nursing mother, standing in rows under armed guard.
In the footage, one of the militants interrogates the captives, asking them to state where they were abducted.
Responding in Hausa, several women confirmed they were taken from Woro community.
The video also showed children who appeared half-clothed, while many victims looked exhausted and distressed—suggesting prolonged detention in harsh conditions.
During the recording, one militant accused the Kwara State Government of misleading the public about the scale of the abduction.
According to the militant, authorities initially claimed that only 20 to 30 people had been kidnapped, while the actual number in captivity was 176.
Government Response
Following the release of the video, the Kwara State Government said it was deeply concerned by the development.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the government said it was working with security agencies to verify the identities of those seen in the footage.
However, authorities have yet to announce any breakthrough in efforts to rescue the victims.
Renewed Terror Attacks in the Northeast
The developments in Kwara come as insurgent violence resurges in northeastern Nigeria.
Suspected Boko Haram fighters reportedly attacked a military outpost in Ajilari, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
The assault occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, according to local sources.
A swift response by a combined team of the military, police, Civilian Joint Task Force, and the Nigerian Air Force reportedly forced the attackers to retreat.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Kenneth Daso, confirmed the attack but said security forces had the situation under control.
Residents described scenes of panic as gunfire and explosions echoed through nearby neighbourhoods while helicopters circled overhead.
“We were very scared,” said Bashir Yusuf, a resident of Gomari.
“The air was filled with gunshots and explosions. But thank God the situation is calm now.”
Strategy Shift
The spike in attacks has prompted urgent consultations within Nigeria’s security leadership.
Last week, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, summoned the country’s service chiefs to an emergency meeting before briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Musa said the military leadership had agreed to revise its counter-insurgency strategy, while the President approved new military hardware to strengthen operations against terrorist groups.
A Growing National Crisis
For residents of Woro and surrounding communities, however, the situation remains painfully uncertain.
Weeks after the mass abduction, families say they are still waiting for answers, and hoping their loved ones are alive.
As negotiations stall and attacks continue elsewhere, the crisis underscores the expanding reach of insurgent groups and the growing vulnerability of rural communities across Nigeria.
