Armed terrorists who abducted 176 women and children from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have threatened to carry out a mass execution if their demands are not met within one week.
The attackers, suspected to be linked to Boko Haram, reportedly issued the ultimatum through some of the abducted victims after Friday prayers, according to residents and family members who spoke to The PUNCH.
The traditional ruler of the community, Salihu Bio whose wife is among those kidnapped confirmed the development on Monday.
He said one of the abductees was allowed to contact her family to relay the terrorists’ message.
“The abductees told us that after the Jumu’ah prayer on Friday, the terrorists said the government was not taking the matter seriously and warned that if nothing is done within one week, they would begin to take drastic actions,” he said.
Bio added that the captors also complained about the government’s response and claimed they were spending resources to sustain the victims without any negotiation progress.
A community source who requested anonymity said the situation appeared more severe, adding that the abductors threatened to forcibly marry off some of the girls and kill others they consider “unimportant” if no agreement is reached.
“They said they are spending money feeding the abductees and getting nothing in return. If nothing happens within one week, they will start marrying off some of the girls and kill those they consider liabilities,” the source said.
“We are helpless. These are our wives and children.”
In a video circulated by the group, an armed man claimed responsibility for the abduction and said the victims had been “indoctrinated.”
He said the group was giving authorities a final chance to respond.
“We kidnapped the people of Woro and Kososo. We have changed their way of life. We are giving their government a final opportunity to hear from them,” the militant said.
Efforts to reach the police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, were unsuccessful as of press time.
