Terrorists Declare 176 Kwara Residents In Their Captivity As State Authorities Intensifies Rescue Efforts
Suspected members of Boko Haram, previously often called Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, in a current video they launched have claimed that they’re holding 176 people from Kwara State hostage, a improvement that has heightened considerations in regards to the safety state of affairs within the area.
Following the discharge of the disturbing video, the Kwara State Authorities Saturday mentioned it was deeply working with safety businesses and different stakeholders to safe their launch.
The footage exhibits dozens of ladies and kids allegedly taken from the Woro group in Kaiama Native Authorities Space (LGA) of Kwara State seated in rows in an open space, surrounded by armed males.
The captives embrace a nursing mom and a number of other minors, with some youngsters showing half-clothed and lots of the abductees visibly distressed, hinting on the dire situations of their captivity.
Within the video, an armed man questions the captives, asking the place they have been kidnapped. Three ladies, together with a nursing mom, responded in Hausa, stating they have been kidnapped from the Woro group in Kaiama Native Authorities Space.
The terrorist alleged throughout the recording that the Kwara State Authorities had understated the magnitude of the kidnapping, asserting that whereas officers had reportedly indicated that between 20 and 30 people had been kidnapped, the group maintained that it was holding 176 captives.
“The Kwara State authorities lied to Nigeria and to the entire world,” the gunman alleged within the footage.
The video emerged weeks after a lethal assault on Woro group on February 4, 2026, when suspected terrorists stormed the world in a coordinated assault. Native sources reported that a number of residents have been killed throughout the invasion, together with relations of the Emir of Woro, the Chief Imam, and training officers.
The standard ruler, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, was reported lacking following the assault, fuelling considerations that he might have been kidnapped throughout the raid.
Reacting to the abductions in a press release issued and signed by the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the state authorities mentioned it was deeply involved by the disturbing video.
“As all the time, our ideas are with all of the households affected, and we reaffirm our dedication to securing the secure return of all these impacted”.
She said: “We acknowledge the nervousness that this footage might trigger. Authorities officers and safety businesses are rigorously analysing the video to determine the identities of the people proven.
“For the reason that incident, there have been various accounts concerning the variety of individuals kidnapped.
“For that reason, neither the State Authorities nor safety businesses have introduced a definitive determine.
“Our precedence stays the secure rescue of each affected citizen and guaranteeing that these accountable are dropped at justice.
“We’ve engaged Woro group leaders to help in figuring out people seen within the footage.
“As of now, just a few individuals have been preliminarily recognized from the video as residents of Woro group representatives have additionally indicated that extra people stay unaccounted for.”
Olukoju added that some individuals initially reported lacking had since reunited with their households, whereas others might have quickly relocated to neighbouring communities, together with Wawa and New Bussa in Niger State.
“The federal government’s response committee, led by His Highness Ahmed Ibn Muhammed, continues to work with safety businesses, native authorities, and group stakeholders to coordinate efforts, humanitarian assist, and the secure return of displaced individuals.
“We guarantee the general public that verified updates shall be offered as extra data turns into out there by means of correct coordination with safety and group leaders. We urge residents to stay calm, keep away from spreading unverified data, and proceed cooperating with authorities.”
Hammed Shittu
Times Nigeria