Insurgents claim 176 abducted in Kwara, release video

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have released a video showing a large group of women and children allegedly abducted from Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, claiming that 176 persons are in captivity and accusing the Nigerian government of misrepresenting the figure.

The one-minute, 17-second video, published by Sahara Reporters, shows dozens of female captives and minors gathered in an open area while an unidentified speaker, whose face was not visible, interrogates them.

In the footage, the speaker asked the victims, “Where were you abducted?”

The group responded, “From Woro.”

He further asked, “Which local government?” and they replied, “Kaiama.”

“Which state?” he pressed.

“Kwara,” the captives answered in unison.

When asked, “How many are you?” two of the women responded, “176.”

The unidentified speaker then alleged that the Federal Government was misleading the public about the scale of the abduction.

“You can see that your infidel government lied to people that you are not more than 30,” he said.

The clip ended shortly after the statement.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from the Federal Government or the Kwara State Government regarding the authenticity of the video or the figures stated by the insurgents.

Security agencies have yet to issue a formal statement addressing the claims.

The development has raised fresh concerns over security in Kwara State, a North-Central state that has not traditionally been considered a major hotspot for Boko Haram activities compared with states in the North-East.

Insurgents claim 176 abducted in Kwara, release video