Kwara K!dnappers Demand Extra N5m After Family Already Paid N5m, Motorcycle, Phones, Alcohol To Free Traditional Chief’s Son

Kwara Kidnappers Demand Extra N5m After Family Already Paid N5m, Motorcycle, Phones, Alcohol To Free Traditional Chief’s Son

According to the residents, the terrorists have been carrying out repeated attacks around Woru and neighbouring communities, particularly targeting farmers and motorists.

A group of terrorists ravaging rural communities in Kwara State have collected ₦5 million, a Bajaj motorcycle, two smartphones and 20 bottles of alcohol from the family of a traditional chief as ransom for the release of his kidnapped son, only to demand another ₦5 million three days later.

The victim, son of the Magaji (traditional chief) of Woru community in Apado Ward, Ilorin East Local Government Area, has remained in captivity since August, residents told SaharaReporters exclusively on Thursday.

The residents said the terrorists had also abducted at least six other people from the community and surrounding areas between August and September, with all seven victims still in captivity.

The residents, who spoke to SaharaReporters in Ilorin on Thursday, said the security situation had deteriorated to the extent that residents now feared travelling on roads linking their communities to the state capital.

“The terrorists are really disturbing us in our communities now. It even took God’s grace for us to come to Ilorin this morning without being kidnapped by them,” one of the residents said.

“They are even on the road this morning kidnapping motorists and farmers. They have killed a lot of people and the government is doing nothing to help us.”

According to the residents, the terrorists have been carrying out repeated attacks around Woru and neighbouring communities, particularly targeting farmers and motorists.

“As we speak, seven people are currently with them. They kidnapped them between August up till now,” another resident said.

The residents said the most troubling case involved the son of their Magaji, who was kidnapped in August and has remained in the custody of the bandits despite the family complying with their initial ransom demands.

“The saddest case is that of the son of our Magaji. He has been kidnapped since August and they contacted us,” the resident said.

The residents said the terrorists initially demanded ₦5 million, 20 bottles of alcohol, one Bajaj motorcycle and two smartphones for his release.

“We supplied all these to them hoping they would release him,” the resident said.

However, instead of releasing the victim, the bandits reportedly contacted the traditional chief again about three days later and demanded an additional ₦5 million.

“About three days later, they called back and told our Magaji to bring another ₦5 million. They said all the items and the money we paid before were not enough,” the resident said.

“That is the current situation now.”

The residents said the repeated ransom demands had placed the victim’s family under enormous pressure, while the other abducted residents remained in captivity.

They said the terrorists were also becoming increasingly bold, operating around roads and farming communities and allegedly kidnapping motorists and farmers.

Residents told SaharaReporters that the worsening insecurity had affected farming activities in the area, with many people afraid to travel to their farms or move between communities.

They described the situation as particularly worrying because residents have continued to suffer attacks despite repeated appeals for government and security intervention.