Twenty-five children who were among the 336 persons kidnapped by terrorists in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states died in captivity and were buried in the forest.
Hon. Saidu Baba-Ahmed, representing the Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena constituency of Kaiama Local Government Area in the Kwara State House of Assembly, disclosed this while speaking on the condition of 315 kidnap victims who regained their freedom after six months in captivity.
The total figure of those released includes 308 victims rescued from forests across Kwara and Niger states, alongside seven students abducted from Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade, Ogun State.
Speaking in an interview, the lawmaker revealed that 12 of the abducted youths voluntarily joined the terrorists’ ranks and were excluded from the release:”
The terrorists asked the youths who among them would like to join their army, and 12 of them volunteered. So, those youths were not among those released. 25 children from Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states also died in captivity and in transit, and were buried there. A total of 176 victims were kidnapped from Kwara State, and 163 regained their freedom.15 of the victims remain missing.”
He added details regarding the condition of female abductees:
“None of the women returned pregnant, but two women who were abducted while pregnant returned with newborn babies. We checked them thoroughly, and they confirmed their abductors did not assault them.”
. Baba-Ahmed confirmed that the freed individuals arrived in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where 46 received immediate medical care. State authorities are managing their health evaluations before facilitating reunions with their families.
The victims, predominantly abducted during the attack on the Woro community in Kaiama LGA on February 3, were initially received at the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Sobi Barracks in Ilorin following coordinated military operations in Niger State.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received the victims from 22 Armoured Brigade Commander Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.
