Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have threatened to take drastic action against 176 abducted women and children from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, issuing a one-week ultimatum to the Nigerian government.
According to reports from community members, the terrorists warned that failure to meet their demands within the stipulated time could result in mass killings and forced marriages among the captives.
The threat was reportedly communicated after a Jumu’ah prayer session last Friday, when the abductors allowed one of the victims to contact her family and relay their message.
The traditional ruler of the community, Salihu Bio whose wife is among those held confirmed the development.
He stated that the abductees conveyed that the insurgents were dissatisfied with what they described as the government’s lack of urgency in addressing the situation.
Related News:
Related News:
Kidnapped Kwara Villagers Beg Government for Rescue
Gunmen Storm Kwara Palace, Abduct Newly Installed Monarch
Bandits Attack Kwara Church, Abduct Worshippers
Kwara South Residents Protest Rising Insecurity, Demands Urgent Action
Bandits Kill Five Forest Guards in Fresh Kwara Attack
He further disclosed that the victims are currently alive, with some reportedly being subjected to religious indoctrination during captivity.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed a more disturbing dimension to the threat, noting that the insurgents had complained about expending resources on the captives without any progress in negotiations.
The source added that the group had threatened to begin marrying off some of the girls and eliminate those they consider burdens if no agreement is reached within the given timeframe.
In a video said to have been released by the group, an armed militant claimed responsibility for the abduction, stating that the victims had been indoctrinated and given an opportunity to appeal to the government through the ultimatum.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get an official response from security authorities proved unsuccessful, as calls to the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson were not answered.
The situation has heightened anxiety within the affected community, with families expressing fear and helplessness over the fate of their loved ones.
About the Author
