Terrorists who abducted 176 women and children from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have reportedly issued a one-week ultimatum to the Nigerian government, threatening mass execution if their demands are not met.
The attackers, believed to be members of Boko Haram, allegedly passed the warning through some of the kidnapped victims following Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers, according to residents and families who spoke with The PUNCH.
The traditional ruler of Woro community, Salihu Bio, who also has a wife among the abductees, confirmed the development on Monday.
He said one of the victims was allowed to contact her family and relay the message from the captors.
“The abductees told us that after the Jumu’ah prayer on Friday, the terrorists said the government was not taking the matter seriously and that if nothing is done within one week, they will begin to take drastic actions,” he said.
Bio added that the kidnappers expressed frustration over what they described as poor engagement from authorities regarding negotiations for the victims’ release.
He also revealed that one of the abducted women was permitted to speak with her family on Saturday and confirmed that the captives were still alive and in stable condition.
“The terrorists allowed one of the abductees to call her family on Saturday, and she confirmed that they were all fine. She also said the captors have been teaching them Arabic and Islamic knowledge,” he said.
