Fresh anxiety has gripped residents of Kwara State following the emergence of another video showing abducted villagers from Woro and neighbouring communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, with victims making desperate pleas for government intervention.

The latest footage obtained on Thursday, comes weeks after an earlier video surfaced on February 14, drawing national outrage and highlighting the scale of the February 3 attack on Woro and nearby Nuku communities, where scores were killed, and many others abducted.

In the old clip, women and children believed to have been taken during the attack were seen seated in rows, surrounded by armed men who spoke in Hausa while interrogating them about their identities and origins.

In that earlier video, some elderly women confirmed they were from Woro in Kaiama LGA, triggering concern across the state.

Many families identified relatives among the captives, while others continued searching for missing loved ones amid uncertainty over the actual number of those abducted.

The suspected kidnappers, believed to be linked to Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, used the initial video to challenge official claims about the scale of the abduction, accusing authorities of downplaying the number of victims.

“They said those abducted were about 25 or 30. Let them look here,” one of the armed men was heard saying in Hausa. “Ask them how many they are.”

“We are 174,” some of the women responded, although another segment of the footage suggested the number could be as high as 176, reinforcing concerns that the true scale of the abduction may have been far greater than initially reported.

The Kwara State Government had acknowledged the distress the earlier video caused and assured residents that security agencies were working to verify the identities of those seen and intensify rescue efforts.

“The Kwara State Government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video allegedly showing persons abducted during the February 3 attack,” the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with all the families affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the safe return of all those impacted,” she added.

However, the situation took a more troubling turn with the release of a fresh video showing a significantly larger group of abductees—mostly women and children—after more than two months in captivity.

In the new footage, the victims were seen gathered at an undisclosed location, many appearing weak, malnourished, and exhausted, with visibly worn and dirty clothes, suggesting prolonged hardship and deteriorating living conditions.

“We are begging you; this is our last opportunity,” a young woman said in English, her voice shaking. “We have been here since February 3. Please come to our rescue.”

Beyond the figures, PUNCH Metro observed that the emotional weight of the footage lay in the repeated pleas from victims, many of whom highlighted the presence of children, pregnant women, and the sick among them.

“We have small children with us, and some women are pregnant,” another captive said in Yoruba. “Please, Kwara State Government, Oyo State Government, help us. This is the last chance they gave us.”

In the background, one of the armed men claimed responsibility for the abduction while allowing the victims to speak.

“We are the ones who kidnapped them. They have been begging us, and we have given them this opportunity so their government can hear from them,” he said.

Some of the kidnapped victims also made statements suggesting prolonged exposure to ideological teachings, raising concerns about possible indoctrination during their time in captivity.

“They teach us things we did not know before,” one woman said. “But we are still begging you, please come and rescue us.”

Attempts to obtain a reaction from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as messages sent to its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had not been returned as of press time. (The PUNCH)

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