At least 13 children reportedly died during the six months residents abducted from communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State spent in captivity.

Saliu Amira, a nurse and one of the 163 victims rescued by security agencies, disclosed that 12 other children were also taken into captivity by their abductors.

According to her, the captives endured harsh living conditions and survived on very little food throughout their ordeal.

“They left us inside the river; the children that died are almost 13, and those people that followed them are 12 in number; that’s 25,” Amira said.

The victims were rescued through a coordinated operation involving various security agencies, according to Nicholas Rume, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq received the rescued victims in Ilorin, the state capital, on Friday and commended the security agencies for their efforts.

The governor said the establishment of a new Army brigade in the state would further strengthen security and enhance the government’s response to threats in affected communities.

Abdulrazaq also disclosed that 46 of the rescued victims had been admitted to a government medical facility, where they were receiving treatment.

The victims were among residents abducted on February 3 after armed assailants attacked Woro, Nuku and other communities in Kaiama LGA.

The attacks reportedly claimed at least 75 lives, displaced several residents and caused significant disruption across the affected communities.

Although the exact number of people abducted during the attacks was initially unclear, reports estimated that about 170 people, including women and children, were taken captive.

After spending approximately six months in captivity, the Kwara State Government announced on August 5 that the victims had been released.

The latest development means that 163 of the abducted residents have now been reunited with their families and communities, while authorities continue to provide medical care and other support to those affected by the ordeal.