Fresh and deeply troubling revelations have emerged over the fate of the 176 residents abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as community insiders allege that terrorists holding the victims have demanded a staggering ₦20 million ransom for each captive, pushing the total demand to an unprecedented ₦3.52 billion.
Sources familiar with the ongoing crisis disclosed that negotiations between representatives of the Kwara State Government and the armed group suspected to be linked to Boko Haram have stalled, creating a tense deadlock that has left families of the victims trapped in fear and uncertainty.
According to community sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the insurgents have already contacted intermediaries and communicated their financial demand to negotiators.
“The terrorists have reached out through channels used for negotiation,” one source revealed. “They made it clear that the ransom is **₦20 million for each of the 176 abducted residents. That is the figure they have placed on the table.”
If paid, the ransom would amount to ₦3,520,000,000, making it one of the largest ransom demands linked to a mass abduction in Nigeria’s recent history.
Government’s Refusal Triggers Stalemate
Sources say the Kwara State Government is currently unwilling to meet the financial demand, resulting in stalled negotiations and a prolonged silence from authorities.
“The reason the government has been quiet is because negotiations have not succeeded,” the source explained. “They are not willing to pay that amount, so discussions are still happening quietly behind the scenes.”
The impasse has left the fate of the victims uncertain, with no public update on rescue efforts or the progress of talks.
Soldiers Allegedly Stationed But Not Advancing
Residents of Woro community have also raised concerns over what they describe as a limited military response.
According to local sources, soldiers deployed to the area are currently stationed at the community’s primary school but have not entered the surrounding forests where the abducted victims are believed to be held.
“The soldiers are only staying within the primary school in Woro,” a source alleged. “They are not going into the forest to pursue the terrorists.”
Community members claim this approach mirrors a previous kidnapping incident in Eruku, where victims were eventually released after negotiations rather than a military rescue.
“In that case, the authorities eventually reached an agreement with the kidnappers and the victims were freed,” the source said. “No one was arrested, and no serious operation was carried out.”
According to insiders, the current strategy may again be leaning toward negotiation rather than direct confrontation with the kidnappers.
Families Fear Victims May Already Be Dead
Meanwhile, families of the abducted residents say the weeks of uncertainty have plunged the community into deep emotional trauma.
Relatives fear that some of the captives—particularly pregnant women and children—may not have survived the harsh conditions of captivity in the bush.
“We are living in fear every single day,” one relative lamented. “Since they were taken, we have not heard anything from the terrorists or from the government.”
The relative explained that nearly a month has passed since the terrorists released a video showing the captives, and since then there has been complete silence.
“We are especially worried about the pregnant women and the children,” the relative said. “Some of them were already weak before they were taken. If they are in the bush without food or medical care, how can they survive this long?”
Disturbing Video Deepens Crisis
The fears intensified after a disturbing video surfaced showing dozens of abducted victims, including women, children, and a nursing mother believed to have been taken from Woro.
In the footage, an armed terrorist was seen interrogating the captives and asking them to state where they were kidnapped.
Three women responded in Hausa, confirming they were abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The video showed rows of women and children standing helplessly, many appearing exhausted and visibly distressed. Some children were half-clothed, while the victims’ clothing appeared dirty and worn, suggesting prolonged captivity under harsh conditions.
During the recording, one of the terrorists accused the Kwara State Government of misleading the public about the scale of the abduction.
According to the terrorist, authorities initially claimed that between 20 and 30 people were kidnapped, while the actual number of captives in their custody was 176.
Following the release of the video, the Kwara State Government acknowledged the disturbing development, stating that it was working with security agencies to verify the identities of those seen in the footage.
In a statement issued by Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju, the government said efforts were ongoing to confirm details surrounding the video and track the victims.
However, no major breakthrough in rescue operations has been publicly announced since then.
The tragedy traces back to February 3, 2026, when suspected Sahel-linked terrorists launched a deadly attack on Woro, a quiet agrarian community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
During the assault, dozens of residents were reportedly killed, including two wives of the Emir of Woro, several of his children, the community’s Chief Imam, a school principal, a headmistress, and students who had just returned home from school.
The attackers then abducted 176 residents, dragging them into the forests and leaving the community shattered.
Today, Woro remains gripped by grief, fear, and unanswered questions.
“Our hearts are heavy every day,” one resident said. “We don’t know if our people are alive or dead. We are begging the government to act.”
“We are losing hope,” the resident added quietly. “The government is silent, and the terrorists are silent too. We fear that some of our people may already have died in their camp.”
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