Families of 176 people abducted by terrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have alleged that the kidnappers threatened to marry the “beautiful” female captives and kill the remaining hostages as the victims remain in captivity for nearly six months.
The families also renewed their appeal to the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to secure the release of their loved ones, saying they had exhausted every available option without success.
They said they raised more than N155 million through community contributions to secure the victims’ freedom, but alleged that the terrorists rejected the ransom and continued to hold the captives.
Speaking in an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa Service, a Kaiama indigene, Abdul Ibrahim, said the abductors warned that they would force the attractive female captives into marriage and kill the others if their demands were not met.
He appealed to the Kwara State Government, the Federal Government and security agencies to step up efforts to rescue the victims, saying the families had done all they could.
According to him, members of the affected communities contributed more than N155 million as ransom in a bid to secure the captives’ release, but the money was allegedly rejected by the terrorists.
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“We have done everything within our means. The money was raised, yet our people have not been released. Their suffering continues, and families are living in agony,” he said.
Ibrahim added that peaceful protests organised by members of the community also failed to bring the intervention they had hoped for.
Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to extend to Kaiama the same efforts that recently led to the rescue of abductees in Oyo State.
He said hundreds of Kaiama residents had remained in terrorists’ camps for months and deserved the same level of attention.
Bukata said the rescue of the Oyo victims had given families in Kaiama hope that their loved ones could also be freed.
He added that every extra day in captivity exposed the victims to greater danger and hardship.
Commenting on the security situation in northern Nigeria, Senator Adamu Aliero said the growing insecurity remained a major concern but argued that the Federal Government should not be blamed for inadequate funding of security operations.
He said the National Assembly had consistently approved funding requests from security agencies to support the fight against terrorism.