Kidnappers Reject N155m Ransom, Threaten Forced Marriages, Killings of 176 Kwara Hostages

Suspected kidnappers holding no fewer than 176 abductees in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have reportedly rejected a ransom of N155 million raised by families of the victims and threatened to forcibly marry some of the female captives while killing other hostages if their demands are not met.
The victims have remained in captivity for nearly six months despite efforts by their families and communities to secure their release, prompting renewed calls on the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
Speaking during an interview on the BBC Hausa Service, a Kaiama indigene, Abdul Ibrahim, said residents of the affected communities contributed over N155 million in a desperate attempt to free their loved ones, but the kidnappers allegedly turned down the offer.
According to him, the abductors warned that they would force the "beautiful" female captives into marriage and execute the remaining hostages if their conditions were not met.
"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," Ibrahim said.
He appealed to both the Federal and Kwara State governments, as well as security agencies, to launch intensified rescue efforts, lamenting that the affected families had exhausted all available options.
Ibrahim added that peaceful protests organised by residents to draw attention to the plight of the victims had failed to attract the desired response from the authorities.
Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, urged the Federal Government and security agencies to replicate the operation that recently secured the release of abductees in Oyo State by carrying out a similar rescue mission in Kaiama.
He said the successful rescue of the Oyo victims had rekindled hope among families in Kaiama, stressing that the people deserved the same level of commitment from the government.
Bukata warned that every additional day the victims remained in captivity increased the risk to their lives and exposed them to further hardship.
Meanwhile, Senator Adamu Aliero expressed concern over the worsening security situation across northern Nigeria, insisting that inadequate funding was not responsible for the persistent wave of terrorist attacks.
According to the senator, the National Assembly has consistently approved funding requests from security agencies to strengthen counter-terrorism operations.
Aliero argued that the continued insecurity reflected the complexity of the security challenge rather than a lack of financial resources.
He, however, reiterated his support for the creation of state police, saying governors should be constitutionally empowered and adequately equipped to establish local policing structures capable of responding swiftly to security threats in their respective states.