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Families of 176 residents abducted by suspected terrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed for urgent government intervention after kidnappers allegedly rejected more than ₦155 million raised by affected communities to secure the victims' release.
Nearly six months after the mass abduction, the families accused the authorities of not doing enough to rescue their loved ones, expressing growing fears over the safety of those still being held captive following fresh threats reportedly issued by the abductors.
In a video seen on Thursday, community leaders said residents sold personal belongings, exhausted their savings and organised community-wide fundraising efforts to meet the kidnappers' ransom demand.
They, however, alleged that the terrorists refused to accept the money, leaving negotiations deadlocked and hundreds of families uncertain about the fate of their relatives.
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Abdul Ibrahim said the situation had worsened after the kidnappers allegedly threatened to execute some of the captives while forcing some of the female victims into marriage.
According to him, the communities had explored every available option, including direct negotiations and public appeals, but none had resulted in the release of any of the abductees.
He said the communities contributed over ₦155 million in the hope of bringing their loved ones home, but the rejection of the ransom had deepened the anguish of affected families.
Ibrahim appealed to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to urgently launch a rescue operation, insisting that only decisive government action could save the captives.
Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, said the recent rescue of abducted victims in neighbouring Oyo State had renewed hope that those held by terrorists in Kaiama could also be freed through a coordinated security operation.
Bukata urged security agencies not to abandon the affected communities, stressing that no Nigerian community should be left to face such a prolonged tragedy without adequate government intervention.
The victims were abducted on February 3 when armed assailants invaded Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, killing several residents and carting away scores of others in what observers described as a deadly massacre.
