Tension has enveloped Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the release of a disturbing video by terrorists showing over 170 women and children abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities.
The footage, which surfaced on Facebook on Saturday, showed the victims arranged in rows at an unknown location, surrounded by armed men speaking in Hausa while interrogating them.
The terrorists, suspected to be members of a faction of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, reportedly led by Saidu Abubakar, also known as Sadiku, were heard mocking the government for allegedly downplaying the number of abducted persons.
In the video, two elderly women confirmed they were seized from Kaiama. When asked to identify their community, local government and state, the women responded, “Woro,” “Kaiama,” and “Kwara State.”
One of the terrorists accused the government of spreading propaganda by claiming that only 25 to 30 persons were abducted.
The captives were then asked to state their total number. While the women initially said they were 174, one elderly woman later mentioned 176 in another part of the footage.
A credible security source confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the victims were indeed from the state and different from those earlier rescued.
“I have confirmed that this is another set of people different from those we earlier rescued. However, efforts are ongoing to rescue them,” the source said.
The Kwara State Government said it was working with security agencies and stakeholders to analyse the video and verify the identities of those shown in it.
The Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, in a statement on Saturday, said the government was deeply concerned by the footage.
“The Kwara State Government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video released by terrorists earlier today, allegedly showing some persons taken during the tragic February 3 attack on Woro community. As always, our thoughts are with all the families affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the safe return of all those impacted,” she said.
Olukoju acknowledged the anxiety the footage might generate among residents, noting that security agencies were carefully reviewing it.
She explained that varying accounts of the number of abducted persons made it difficult for the government to announce a definitive figure.
“For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice,” the statement read.
According to her, the state had engaged community leaders in Woro to assist in identifying individuals captured in the footage.
“As of now, a few persons have been preliminarily identified from the video as residents of Woro. Community representatives have also indicated that more individuals remain unaccounted for,” she added.
The commissioner also clarified that some persons initially reported missing had since been reunited with their families, while others might have temporarily relocated to neighbouring communities such as Wawa and New Bussa in Niger State.
She said the government’s response committee, led by His Highness Ahmed Ibn Muhammed, was working with security agencies and local authorities to coordinate rescue efforts and humanitarian support.
The Special Assistant on Media to the Kaiama Local Government, ZulQharnain Musa, told Sunday PUNCH that steps were being considered towards a rescue operation.
“I learnt that the government is making arrangements towards a rescue operation, but as of now it has not been officially announced,” he said.
He added that security operatives were still combing surrounding bushes for additional victims, while military patrols continued across Woro and adjoining communities.
The emergence of the video has reopened wounds from the February 3 attack on Woro and Nuku communities, one of the deadliest assaults recorded in Kwara State in recent history.
Gunmen riding motorcycles reportedly stormed Woro around 6pm, firing indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze.
Survivors said the attackers proceeded to the Emir’s palace and killed several residents before abducting others.
Eyewitnesses described how women and children were rounded up during the invasion, with some victims executed on the spot while others were forced into the forest at gunpoint.
In the days following the attack, more than 200 bodies were reportedly recovered, with mass burials conducted amid heightened security presence.