Families of victims in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, have expressed despair after five months of uncertainty, stating that more than N155 million collected as ransom failed to secure the release of their abducted relatives. The families, speaking through community leaders, revealed that the money was rejected by the kidnappers, leaving them powerless to act further. They have called upon both the federal and state governments to intervene urgently, citing the prolonged absence of their loved ones. The attack occurred on February 3, 2026, when over 100 heavily armed assailants launched a violent assault on the two communities. According to local reports, the attackers, believed to be members of an armed group, killed more than 260 people, set fire to over 30 homes, and abducted 176 residents. This marked one of the deadliest and most destructive incidents in the region in recent years. Community leaders described the attack as a coordinated operation, noting that the perpetrators wore military-style uniforms and used motorcycles to evade detection. Alhaji Abdul Ibrahim, acting on behalf of the affected families, recounted the emotional toll of the tragedy. He shared that he personally lost ten relatives and still has 35 family members held captive. Despite the community's collective effort to raise N155 million in ransom, the funds were rejected by the kidnappers, who claimed the amount was insufficient. The families returned the money and have not received any communication from their missing relatives since. Ibrahim emphasized that the government must take immediate action, as the families feel abandoned and unable to resolve the situation themselves. Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom to kidnappers, yet the families' attempt highlights the desperation of those impacted by such crimes. The case has drawn comparisons to another recent incident in Oyo State, where a high court judge was successfully rescued by security forces after his family allegedly paid a ransom. In contrast, the families of the Woro and Nuku victims remain in limbo, adding to their sense of helplessness and anger. Community leader Alhaji Sulaiman Bukata, known as Dan Sadaukin Kaiama, noted that residents recently organized a peaceful demonstration to demand attention for the abducted individuals, many of whom are women, children, and nursing mothers. He alleged that the kidnappers had issued threats against the captives, warning that some would be forced into marriages and others might face harm if the government did not act. While these claims have not been independently verified, they underscore the heightened risks faced by the hostages. Lawmaker Hon. Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, representing the area in the Kwara State House of Assembly, echoed the families’ concerns, urging the federal government to increase its efforts to locate and rescue the captives. He pointed out that the lack of progress has exacerbated the suffering of the affected families, emphasizing the need for swift governmental response. The attack on Woro and Nuku appears to have stemmed from tensions between the local population and an armed group seeking to expand its influence in the area. Residents reportedly rejected the group’s attempts to establish an extremist religious presence, leading to the violent confrontation. Survivors described how the attackers systematically killed residents, destroyed property, and abducted numerous individuals before escaping. This incident reflects the broader pattern of insecurity in North-Central Nigeria, where armed groups continue to target rural communities with increasing frequency.
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