Families of at least 176 people kidnapped by terrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have again appealed to the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to secure the release of their loved ones after almost six months in captivity.
The appeal comes as the families alleged that the abductors threatened to marry the “beautiful” female captives and kill the remaining hostages.
The relatives said they raised more than N155 million through community crowdfunding to free the victims, but claimed the terrorists rejected the ransom.
In an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa Service, Abdul Ibrahim, a Kaiama indigene, said the abductors warned they would force the attractive female captives into marriage and kill the others if their demands were not met.
He urged the Kwara State Government, the Federal Government and security agencies to step up efforts, saying families had exhausted all available options. According to him, the communities contributed over N155 million as ransom, but the abductors allegedly refused to accept it.
“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.
He added that peaceful protests by the community also failed to bring the needed response.
Dan Sardaukin Kaiama and Suleiman Bukata appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to carry out in Kaiama the same kind of rescue operation that recently freed abductees in Oyo State. Bukata said the success in Oyo had given Kaiama families fresh hope, adding that every extra day in captivity increased the victims’ suffering and danger.
Senator Adamu Aliero described the security situation in northern Nigeria as worsening but said funding was not the problem, noting that the National Assembly had approved security budgets. He again called for state police, saying governors should have the constitutional powers and support to run local policing systems.
