At least 25 children died in terrorist captivity after being abducted alongside hundreds of other victims from Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, a Kwara State lawmaker has disclosed. The disclosure came as hundreds of survivors returned to Kwara after spending about six months in captivity following a series of terrorist attacks in the region.
Hon. Saidu Baba-Ahmed, who represents Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena constituency of Kaiama Local Government Area in the Kwara State House of Assembly, disclosed the development in an interview with Saturday Vanguard.
According to him, 336 people were initially kidnapped, while 315 victims eventually regained their freedom. He said 308 of those rescued were victims held in forests across Kwara and Niger states, while seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, were among those recently abducted and released.
Baba-Ahmed said 25 children from Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states died while in captivity. He explained that some of the children reportedly died while being moved between locations, with their remains buried in the forest.
The lawmaker also disclosed that 12 youths were not among those released after volunteering to join the terrorists’ ranks. He said 176 people were abducted from Kwara State, with 163 subsequently regaining their freedom, while 15 remained missing.
The lawmaker further said two women who were abducted while pregnant returned with babies after their release. According to him, the victims had been properly assessed, with the women maintaining that they were not abused by their captors.
The rescued victims arrived in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, late Thursday after being transported from Niger State. Baba-Ahmed said 46 of the survivors were receiving medical attention, while the Kwara State Government had taken responsibility for their welfare and medical assessment before their reunification with their families.
The victims had earlier been received at the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, before being moved to another location where they spent the night. The victims were among those abducted when armed terrorists attacked Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area on February 3, 2026.
The attack reportedly left several residents dead, while hundreds were taken into the surrounding forests. Following months of military operations and coordinated security efforts, the victims were eventually freed and transported to Kwara.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received the survivors in Ilorin, describing the February attack as a tragic and regrettable incident.
The governor received the victims, many of whom were women and children, from the Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume. AbdulRazaq commended President Bola Tinubu for his response to the security situation and support provided to the state.
He disclosed that the President had approved the establishment of five Army battalions in Omu-Aran, Patigi, Ilemona, Kosubosu and Kaiama. The governor also expressed appreciation to the security agencies involved in the operation that led to the victims’ release.
The return of the survivors represents a significant development in efforts to resolve the Kebbi Kwara Niger kidnapping crisis, although authorities are still expected to establish the final number of missing persons and continue providing medical and psychological support to those rescued.
