Bandits have released a video showing 176 abducted residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
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.
According to Daily Trust report, footage showed dozens of women and children gathered in a forest under the watch of the armed men.
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 the publication.
“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.
Watch the Video Below:
https://x.com/i/status/2022694263960801694
https://x.com/i/status/2022651785945444464
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