Freed Kwara kidnap victim narrates ordeal in captivity, says 13 children died

A survivor of the mass abduction in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State has revealed that about 13 children died during the six months victims spent in captivity.

Saliu Amira, a nurse and one of the 163 victims recently rescued by security agencies, said several children could not survive the harsh conditions, while others were taken away by the abductors.

She described the dire situation faced by the victims, including severe hunger and neglect.

“The kind of food that they are giving us over there… The day that we reached there, they just dropped guinea corn for us with salt and Maggi,” Amira said.

“They left us inside the river; the children that died are almost 13, and those people that followed them are 12 in number; that’s 25.”

Nicholas Rume, commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, said the victims were rescued through the combined efforts of multiple security agencies.

“Today I am happy to introduce to you the people whom, through the combined efforts of the security agencies, we have been able to rescue,” he said.

“Thank you to the other security agencies who have been very helpful in all the efforts we’ve been making; today is an example of the synergy that exists within security agencies in the country.”

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of the state, received the victims in Ilorin and commended security forces for the operation, noting that the establishment of a new army brigade would further strengthen security.

He added that 46 of the rescued victims had been hospitalised and were receiving treatment at a government facility.

“I have since directed that the appropriate medical attention be extended to everyone to ensure their well-being. Prior to this time, our government has extended various forms of support to the rural community,” he said.

The victims were abducted on February 3 when armed assailants attacked Woro, Nuku and surrounding communities in Kaiama LGA, killing at least 75 people and displacing many others.

Although the exact number of those abducted remains unclear, reports estimated that about 170 women, children and residents were taken.

The Kwara State Government announced their release on August 5 after about six months in captivity.