Kwara: 25 Kidnap victims died in captivity, three bitten by snakes — Rescued victim

By Ahmed Olayinka

At least 25 victims abducted from Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State reportedly died while in captivity, according to one of the rescued victims.

The victims were among the 176 residents abducted by armed bandits during an attack on the communities in February 2026.

The rescued victim, who was among those freed after spending more than six months in captivity, disclosed that 25 abductees died while being held by the kidnappers and were buried in the forest.

The victim also revealed that three other captives suffered snake bites during their prolonged stay in the bandits’ hideouts.

THE PRIME NEWS reports that the development came after joint security forces rescued hundreds of kidnap victims from Kwara and Niger states during an operation last Wednesday, ending months of captivity.

The Kwara State Government confirmed that 163 of the rescued victims were from Woro community and had been received by the state authorities.

The Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the rescued victims would undergo medical examinations before being reunited with their families.

Speaking with a BBC correspondent in Ilorin, Olukoju said the government was focused on ensuring the welfare and safe reintegration of the victims after their ordeal.

Asked whether ransom was paid for their release, the commissioner said the victims were rescued by Nigerian security forces.

She added that the circumstances surrounding their freedom were less important than the fact that the abducted residents had regained their liberty.

According to her, two women also gave birth while in captivity and returned with their babies despite having little or no access to proper medical care.

The revelation has further highlighted the severe conditions endured by the victims during their prolonged captivity and the humanitarian consequences of the February attack on the affected communities.

The Kwara State Government is expected to continue providing medical and other forms of support to the rescued victims as efforts intensify to reunite them with their families.