13 children died in captivity, Woro kidnapping victims recount ordeal

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The rescued victims of the Woro community abduction in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have recounted their experiences in captivity, revealing that several children died while they were held in the terrorists’ camp.

The survivors spoke on Friday in Ilorin during their official handover to the Kwara State Government following their rescue by security forces.

One of the victims, Ameerah Saliu, said she assisted in delivering 11 pregnant women while in captivity, adding that only about half of the babies survived.

She further disclosed that 13 children died in the camp due to the harsh conditions, while some young women were married off and some young men eventually joined the terrorists.

According to Saliu, the group comprised 12 captives who endured severe hunger and deprivation throughout their captivity, although none of the women was sexually molested.

She said the victims had almost lost hope of regaining their freedom before their rescue, expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Kwara State Government and security agencies for securing their release.

Another survivor, Hauwa Saliu, one of the wives of the Woro village head, corroborated the account, describing the conditions in captivity as difficult and expressing relief over their rescue.

Receiving the victims, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended President Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful operation, assuring the survivors of continued government support, rehabilitation and reintegration, while 46 of them are receiving medical treatment at Kwara State University.