• As residents flee community over letter of imminent attack

Bandits have released a video showing 176 abducted residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Some residents have confirmed the authenticity of the footage and identified family members among those held captive.

The development comes days after mass burial was conducted in the community following a deadly attack that left scores dead and many others missing.

The footage showed dozens of women and children gathered in a forest under the watch of the armed men, according to Daily Trust.

Many appeared frail and traumatised, their clothes worn and soiled, with some children barefooted, while nursing mothers clutched infants in tense silence.

In the recording, the captives were questioned in Hausa about where they were seized.

One after another, the women responded that they were abducted from Woro community in Kaiama.

“We were kidnapped in Woro,” one woman said, while another added that they were seized from their community in Kaiama.

The gunman filming the group accused the government and authorities of downplaying the magnitude of the abduction.

He claimed that contrary to official figures suggesting that between 20 and 30 persons were taken, the number of captives was far higher.

According to him, authorities misled Nigerians and the international community about the true scale of the incident.

The Chief Imam of Woro, Salihu Bio Umar, confirmed the authenticity of the video, saying he recognised members of his household among those displayed.

“Yes, the video is true. They are our people,” he told Daily Trust. “I was able to identify my family. My wife was the one at the front in the footage. You can see her holding a child and my daughter.”

He added that the abductors had yet to establish contact with the families.

“Before now, they have not reached out to us for anything,” the village head said.

Another resident, Dr Abdul Woro, also confirmed the development, stating that the number of captives shown in the video aligns with the community’s records.

“Yes, the bandits have released a video of all the kidnapped victims, 176, and we know all of them,” he said.

Dr Abdul added, “They said they wanted to clarify the number against the figures the government announced.”

According to him, the gunmen insisted the abduction involved far more than the 26 earlier cited in official statements and counted the victims on camera to demonstrate their claim.

“They even counted the victims themselves to arrive at the number to show they are serious,” he said, adding that residents are gradually returning to the town.

The latest revelation comes amid grim burial updates from the community following the deadly attack.

Earlier reports said that residents compiled names of more than 100 missing persons after the assault, while mass burials were conducted for scores of victims.

The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Bio Umar, had disclosed that 37 Muslim victims were buried on Thursday in addition to 75 earlier interred, with another body discovered on Saturday.

He also confirmed 21 Christian corpses, eight Togolese nationals and eight Hausa victims from Zakirai.

He explained that because Muslims and Christians maintain separate cemeteries, figures were initially recorded independently before being harmonised.

“Over 100 persons were still missing and believed to have been kidnapped,” he said, noting that he was directed by the Emir to compile a comprehensive list of those abducted.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Woro revealed that three additional bodies were discovered.

“We saw two burnt bodies inside a house that was set ablaze and another body in the forest,” he said.

He added that the smell of decomposing bodies lingered in parts of the surrounding forest as search efforts continued.

Although security operatives remain stationed in the area, much of the community has been deserted before now, with residents fleeing over fears of renewed attacks.

Fresh threat by bandits to attack Oyun LGA

In a related development, residents of Oyun Local Government Area are fleeing the area over a fresh notification of an imminent attack.

Meanwhile, residents of Ira, Inaja, and Aho in Oyun Local Government Area have started relocating from their communities following a letter notifying them of an attack, which was received in Ira on Thursday.

The letter, purportedly written by a group calling itself the “Nigeria Terrorist Association (NTA),” was dropped at Ira market, sparking concerns and relocation.

Written in poor grammar and structure, the authenticity had not been ascertained by Sunday Vanguard at the time of filing this report.

The letter reads:”This message is from Nigeria Terrorist Association, NTA. Our motto: we kill, we kidnap, and destroy. No town or place scares us from destruction. We search and gather information before we raid. We heard about this town, Ira. You people are strong and have many powerful men to face our organisation. Be ready for us at any time, any date. We left Kaiama, we moved to Ira, Inaja, Aho and towns around.”

A traditional chief in Ira, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, said the letter was dropped at a motorcycle park near the central mosque.

“The letter was seen at 2:30 p.m. Two suspects on a bike dropped it at the okada riders’ park close to Ira Central Mosque. Initially, the riders thought it was a mistake and kept it for the men, but after reading it, they quickly took it to the king’s palace.

“Once the letter reached Kabiyesi, he informed security agencies. Around 5 p.m., DSS and police officers visited Inaja, Ira, and Aho. Soldiers, police, and NSCDC personnel are now patrolling the area,” he said.

The chief added that despite the security presence, fear has gripped the communities, prompting some residents to relocate temporarily.

“This is the first time we are witnessing something like this. People are afraid. Some have left for nearby towns because we don’t know what is coming. Our vigilantes are currently in Ilorin for forest guard training. We want government to release them to return home to address this threat,” he said.

The Oninaja of Inaja, Oba Wahab Oyetoro, confirmed that the letter heightened tension and forced some residents to flee.

“The letter was found in Ira on Thursday, and Oyun Local Government Chairman immediately called a security meeting of all traditional rulers to inform them and map out strategies to protect ourselves and our subjects. People are scared because of the massacre in Kaiama. Some residents have already left town to seek refuge in Offa and other neighbouring communities,” he said.

Kwara government reacts to viral video released by bandits

Meanwhile, the state government, in a statement, urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue cooperating with authorities, stressing that it is currently analysing the video to identify the victims.

The statement issued by Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, community representatives have also indicated that more individuals remain unaccounted for.

According to the statement:”The Kwara State government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video released by terrorists earlier today, allegedly showing some persons taken during the tragic February 3 attack on Woro community.
“As always, our thoughts are with all the families affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the safe return of all those impacted.

“We acknowledge the anxiety that this footage may cause. Government officials and security agencies are carefully analysing the video to establish identities of the individuals shown.

“Since the incident, there have been varying accounts regarding the number of persons abducted. For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

“We have engaged Woro community leaders to assist in identifying individuals seen in the footage. As of now, a few persons have been preliminarily identified from the video as residents of Woro.

“Community representatives have also indicated that more individuals remain unaccounted for. It is important to note that some persons initially reported missing have since reunited with their families, while others may have temporarily relocated to neighbouring communities, including Wawa and New Bussa in Niger State.

“The government’s response committee, led by His Highness Ahmed Ibn Muhammed, continues to work with security agencies, local authorities, and community stakeholders to coordinate efforts, humanitarian support, and the safe return of displaced persons.

“We assure the public that verified updates will be provided as more information becomes available through proper coordination with security and community leaders.

“We urge residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue cooperating with authorities,” the statement concluded.