Families of 176 residents abducted by suspected terrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have renewed calls on the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to secure the release of their loved ones, nearly six months after they were taken captive.
The families alleged that the abductors had threatened to force the female captives they considered attractive into marriage while killing the remaining hostages if their demands were not met.
Speaking during an interview on BBC Hausa monitored on Thursday, a Kaiama indigene, Abdul Ibrahim, said residents had exhausted all available options to secure the victims' freedom without success.
He disclosed that affected communities raised more than N155 million through community contributions as ransom, but claimed the terrorists rejected the offer, leaving the victims in captivity.
According to him, the prolonged captivity has subjected the abductees and their families to severe hardship, with many relatives living in fear and uncertainty.
"We have done everything within our means. We raised the money they demanded, yet our people are still being held. Their suffering continues, and families are in deep agony," Ibrahim said.
He added that peaceful protests organised by residents to draw the attention of authorities had also failed to produce the desired response.
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 kidnapped victims in Oyo State by extending similar efforts to Kaiama.
Bukata said the successful rescue operation in Oyo had given families in Kaiama renewed hope, stressing that residents deserved the same level of commitment from the authorities.
He warned that every extra day the victims remained in captivity exposed them to greater danger and worsening conditions.
Meanwhile, Senator Adamu Aliero attributed the country's persistent insecurity to the complexity of the security challenge rather than inadequate funding, noting that the National Assembly had consistently approved security budgets.
The lawmaker, however, reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, arguing that governors should be constitutionally empowered to deploy local policing structures capable of responding more effectively to security threats in their states.
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