Months after their loved ones were abducted by gunmen, terrorists and bandits in different parts of the country, hundreds of Nigerian families say they have been abandoned, lamenting that initial government assurances of swift rescue operations have given way to prolonged silence while many victims remain unaccounted for.

Investigations revealed that although federal and state authorities pledged to secure the release of victims following several high-profile abductions, communication with affected families has steadily dwindled, leaving many to rely on occasional calls for ransom, recorded voice messages, escapees’ accounts and rumours for information about whether their relatives are dead or alive.

The investigation found a recurring pattern across the country: public outrage and official promises immediately after mass kidnappings, followed by months of uncertainty as families struggle to obtain updates from security agencies or abductors, even as ransom demands persist in several cases.

The recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire, Oyo State, has once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis. However, families whose relatives have spent months, and in some cases years, in captivity say public attention often fades long before the victims return, leaving them to endure prolonged anguish with little information and diminishing hope.

Kwara families trapped in uncertainty

In Kwara State, several mass abductions over recent months have left scores of women, children, worshippers and villagers still in captivity.

The deadliest attack occurred on February 3, 2026, when suspected Boko Haram-linked insurgents invaded Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. About 200 residents were reportedly killed, while 176 women, children and infants were abducted after the attackers razed homes and the palace of the traditional ruler.

Nearly five months later, many of the abductees remain missing.

The traditional ruler of Woro, Salihu Bio, whose wife is among those still in captivity, said the last communication from the victims came after they were briefly allowed to observe Friday prayers.

“They said after the prayers that if nothing is done within a week in April, they will start killing them,” he said.

Since then, he said, there has been virtually no contact.

“There is no update because the government is not doing anything about it, and the people are not ready to contact the community. There has been no official discussion with them, and there is no sign that they are discussing anything with the government. We are just helpless.”

A similar ordeal unfolded in Kwara South following the March 22 attack on an ECWA church in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, where eight worshippers were kidnapped.

It was gathered that relatives raised about N20m and supplied food items after the abductors initially demanded N1bn. Despite the payment, an escapee later disclosed that five captives had died in the forest, while three others remained in captivity.

Among those still held is Mosunmola Adekunle, a hearing-impaired widow and mother of seven.

Executive Director of the Jibore Foundation, Joy Bolarin, described her continued captivity as particularly distressing.

“She cannot hear gunshots. If instructions are given verbally, she may not understand. It is heartbreaking to imagine what she is going through in the forest. It is running into months now, and we cannot continue to keep silent,” she said.

Her sister, Adedokun Rachael, appealed to the Federal Government to intervene.

“We learnt that five of the abducted victims have died while the remaining three are still in the kidnappers’ den. One escapee confirmed they are still alive in the forest. We are begging President Bola Tinubu to help us.”

Public affairs analyst Olanrewaju Ishowo urged both the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.

“It is heartbreaking that over 170 days after the Woro tragedy, innocent women and children are still being held captive while their families continue to live in pain and uncertainty. Government must act decisively and reassure citizens that their lives truly matter,” he said.

Security analyst Musa Aliyu said many affected families lacked the financial capacity to meet ransom demands running into millions of naira.

According to him, the prolonged crisis had also exposed the absence of sustained government support for victims’ families.

“There is no known psychological or humanitarian support system in place. Apart from some food items distributed months ago, there has been no structured support, no counselling, no medical outreach, and no consistent engagement with families.

“Families are living with trauma, grief and uncertainty. Some are already dealing with depression. The children left behind are also affected, but nobody is paying attention to that aspect.”

Investigations further revealed that at least 22 residents abducted in separate attacks across Adanla, Isapa, Ikosin, Oke-Ero and neighbouring communities between December 2025 and April 2026 also remain missing.

Families in Borno await answers

Families in Borno State said they were facing a similar ordeal, with at least 91 residents believed to be in Boko Haram captivity following separate attacks across the state.

The victims include 78 schoolchildren abducted from schools and 13 travellers seized while travelling from Biu to Maiduguri.

For Musa Wakawa, whose wife and seven-month-old daughter were abducted on April 15, every phone call still offers a glimmer of hope.

“The last time I spoke with my wife was that morning before the vehicle departed, and we even prayed together on the phone. Since then, I have kept calling her line, but it has never connected. We heard they contacted one relative in Abuja, but we are still trying to verify that information.”

Another relative, Hassan Yati, said the attack devastated several families.

“Among those abducted were a mother carrying her seven-month-old baby, young graduates travelling to process their NYSC deployment, and a husband and wife. They left home expecting a journey of less than six hours. Instead, months later, they are still missing.”

He appealed to the government to intensify rescue operations.

“We have seen successful rescue operations elsewhere. That gives us hope that our loved ones can also return alive.”

In separate attacks on schools in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, 42 pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in May, while another attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, resulted in the abduction of 36 students and one teacher.

Simon Wayindu, whose child was among those kidnapped, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the children’s rescue.

“We are feeling pain because our children are still in the bush. We are appealing to President Tinubu to ensure our children are rescued.”

Another parent, Emmanuel Ayuba, said families had exhausted nearly every source of hope.

“We are seriously heartbroken because of our missing children. The government must do everything possible to bring them back safely.”

A resident of Mussa community, Abubakar Maaji, said there had been no communication from the abductors.

“For now, we have not received any information. We simply wake up every day hoping for God’s intervention. Sometimes I wonder how these children are surviving in the forest during this rainy season.”

Families across states await rescue as kidnappers keep victims in captivity

Local sources in Borno State alleged that some of the girls abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, may have been taken to care for younger children already living in insurgents’ camps. However, Saturday PUNCH could not independently verify those claims.

During a sympathy visit to Lassa, the Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the abducted students.

“Efforts are ongoing by security agencies, government authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to trace and safely reunite the missing students and staff with their families,” he said.

‘I was released to raise ransom for my daughters’

In Zamfara State, the burden of ransom demands has left hundreds of families in limbo.

It was gathered that more than 500 kidnapped victims were believed to be held in various bandits’ camps across the state, with many families unable to raise the sums demanded for their release.

One of the victims, Mohammed Garba, said he and his two daughters were abducted about a month ago but that he was released by the bandits last week to source the N15m ransom demanded for all three.

“My two daughters and I were kidnapped one month ago, and the bandits demanded N15m. I told them I had never seen that amount of money in my life.

“The leader insisted I must pay or be killed. After some weeks, he told me to go home and sell whatever I owned so I could return with the money to rescue my daughters.

“I am now at home while my two daughters remain with them because I don’t know where to find N15m,” he lamented.

The Zamfara State Government reiterated its opposition to paying ransom.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mustafa Jafaru, said paying kidnappers would only encourage more abductions.

“If bandits know that the government will pay to secure victims’ release, the cycle of banditry will never end because they will continue to profit from it,” he said.

Kaduna worshippers reportedly dying in captivity

In Kaduna State, nearly three months after bandits attacked Easter Sunday services in Ariko Community, Kachia Local Government Area, families of the abducted worshippers say hope is fading as some captives are reportedly dying in the kidnappers’ camp.

The attackers had stormed First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church during worship and abducted scores of congregants.

The Village Head of Ariko, Joshua Doka, said the last proof of life came through a recorded voice message allegedly sent by one of the victims, who claimed that some abductees had died from hunger, illness and harsh conditions.

Doka said there had been no recent update from the Kaduna State Government on rescue efforts.

“They are still demanding N1bn and 35 motorcycles and have refused to reduce the ransom despite all our appeals,” he said, adding that communication depended entirely on the kidnappers.

“We are pleading with the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government and security agencies to rescue our people before more lives are lost.”

Ekiti families mark 65 days in captivity

In Ekiti State, relatives of 16 worshippers abducted from a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, say they are becoming increasingly anxious as the victims remain in captivity 65 days after the attack.

The April 28 abduction claimed the life of a pastor, while the remaining victims, including women and young children, were taken into the forest.

A community leader, Ayodele Oni, said the kidnappers recently contacted residents again, insisting on a N50m ransom despite having earlier received N10m.

“They are still demanding N50m. Even after our people paid N10m, they refused to release anyone. The last time we told them we could only raise another N2m, they cursed us and told us to go and sell our property,” he said.

According to Oni, the abductors also attempted to pressure families emotionally.

“They keep telling us they are buying biscuits for our children in the forest and accuse us of not caring enough to pay for their release.”

He added that the kidnappers recently allowed community members to speak briefly with one of the captives.

“He spoke in Yoruba and said they were all still alive. He said they were coping, except one of the victims, who was ill.”

While commending visits by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. (retd.) Ebenezer Ogundana, Oni, appealed for quicker action.

“There are children aged two, three and four among those in captivity. The forest can never be a safe place for them. Every additional day in captivity is another day of suffering.”

Osun council official still held

In Osun State, the Vice-Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Debo Farounbi, has remained in captivity for more than three weeks after he was abducted by suspected bandits in Ora, a border community between Osun and Kwara states.

Farounbi was kidnapped on June 9 alongside three others, but soldiers and local vigilantes reportedly rescued the other victims after engaging the attackers in a gun battle.

A family source told Saturday PUNCH that the abductors initially demanded N200m before reducing the ransom to N50m.

“They contacted the family using his phone. After several days of negotiation, they reduced the demand to N50m, but we are still struggling to raise the money. They even sent his photographs to increase pressure on us. We are deeply worried about his health,” the source said.

The Osun State Police Command said rescue efforts were continuing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said two suspects had been arrested, arraigned and remanded in connection with the abduction.

“We are still working with available intelligence to ensure the victim is rescued safely. We remain committed to securing his release,” he said.

Sokoto family awaits release despite paying ransom

In Sokoto State, residents of Garin Idi village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area have appealed to security agencies to secure the release of a relative who has remained in captivity for more than two months despite the payment of ransom.

A family member, Bello Umar, said the victim and 13 others were abducted in May.

According to him, the kidnappers initially demanded N15m before agreeing to accept about N800,000 after negotiations.

“My cousin and 13 others were abducted over two months ago. Despite paying the agreed ransom, we have not heard anything from the kidnappers.

“The amount was reduced because they knew repeated attacks had destroyed economic activities in the village. Everyone contributed. Some gave as little as N2,000, while others gave more. We raised the money with great difficulty, but he is still in captivity.”

Umar added that residents had resorted to paying levies to bandits in an effort to prevent further attacks.

“We now have relative peace because we pay levies, but it is difficult to trust them because anything can happen at any time.”

Benue abductees still missing

In Benue State, three abductees, including a cleric of the Universal Reformed Christian Church, Rev. Samuel Gbinde, remain in captivity days after gunmen invaded his residence in Guma Local Government Area.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the victims have yet to regain their freedom, while no contact has been established with the kidnappers.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.

However, a senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the command had no official record of kidnap victims currently in captivity.

“Whenever we receive reports of abduction, we immediately deploy tactical teams alongside other security agencies to rescue the victims. As far as I know, there is no official report of kidnap victims still in captivity,” the officer said. (Saturday PUNCH)

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