Kidnappers reject ₦155m ransom for 176 victims in Nigeria’s Kwara State
Nearly six months after terrorists abducted dozens of residents in Kwara State, families of the victims say hopes of securing their release through negotiations have dwindled after the kidnappers reportedly rejected more than ₦155 million raised by affected communities.
Relatives, who accused the authorities of doing little to end the prolonged ordeal, said they now fear for the safety of the 176 abductees following fresh threats allegedly issued by the gunmen.
In a video seen by The PUNCH on Thursday, community leaders said residents had exhausted their savings, sold personal belongings and organised community-wide fundraising efforts to meet the kidnappers’ ransom demand, only for the money to be allegedly refused.
They said the setback has left hundreds of families uncertain about the fate of their loved ones and increasingly worried that they may never return home.
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Abdul Ibrahim said the situation had become more alarming after the kidnappers reportedly threatened to kill some of the captives while forcing some of the women into marriage.
According to him, residents have tried every available option—including direct negotiations and public demonstrations—but none has resulted in the release of any of the hostages.
“We raised more than ₦155 million believing it would secure the freedom of our people, but the money was rejected and the suffering continues,” Ibrahim said.
He appealed to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intervene decisively, insisting that only a coordinated rescue operation could save those still being held.
Ibrahim also claimed the abductors had warned that some female captives would be taken as wives, further heightening the fears of affected families.
The Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, said the recent rescue of kidnapped victims in neighbouring Oyo State had given residents hope that a similar operation could be carried out to free those still in captivity in Kaiama.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts in the affected communities, stressing that the victims had spent far too long in the hands of the terrorists.
Bukata added that no community should be abandoned to such a tragedy and called on the authorities to ensure the abductees are not forgotten.
The 176 residents were abducted on February 3 when armed attackers launched a deadly assault on Woro and the neighbouring Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, an attack that reportedly claimed numerous lives.
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