FRESH anguish has gripped Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State after bandits released a video showing 176 residents abducted during a recent deadly attack.
Community leaders and families have confirmed the authenticity of the footage, identifying relatives among the captives displayed in the recording.
The disturbing development comes days after mass burials were conducted in the community following an assault that left scores dead and over 100 persons initially reported missing.
The footage, obtained by this newspaper, reportedly shows dozens of women and children gathered in a forested area under the watch of armed men.
Many of the captives appeared exhausted and visibly distressed, with worn clothing and children without footwear. Nursing mothers were seen holding infants while seated on the ground.
In the video, the gunman filming the scene questioned the captives in Hausa about where they were seized. One after another, the women responded that they were abducted from Woro community in Kaiama.
“We were kidnapped in Woro,” one woman said, while another repeated that they were taken from their community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
The armed man behind the camera accused authorities of downplaying the scale of the abduction, insisting that the number of captives was far higher than earlier official figures.
According to him, contrary to initial statements suggesting that between 20 and 30 persons were abducted, 176 individuals were in their custody. He was seen counting the victims on camera in an apparent attempt to substantiate the claim.
The Chief Imam of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Bio Umar, confirmed that the video is genuine and said he recognised members of his household among those shown.
“Yes, the video is true. They are our people,” he said. “I was able to identify my family. My wife was the one at the front in the footage. You can see her holding a child and my daughter.”
He added that, as of the time of speaking, the abductors had not established contact with families regarding any demands.
“Before now, they have not reached out to us for anything,” he stated.
Another resident, Dr. Abdul Woro, also confirmed that the number displayed in the footage aligns with the community’s compiled records of missing persons.
“Yes, the bandits have released a video of all the kidnapped victims, 176, and we know all of them,” he said.
“They said they wanted to clarify the number against the figures the government announced. They even counted the victims themselves to arrive at the number to show they are serious,” he added.
Dr. Abdul noted that some residents who fled the town after the attack are gradually returning, though fear of renewed violence remains widespread.
The video has intensified the trauma already suffered by the community following mass burials conducted in the aftermath of the attack.
The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Bio Umar, had earlier disclosed that 37 Muslim victims were buried on Thursday, in addition to 75 earlier interred, with another body discovered on Saturday.
He also confirmed the burial of 21 Christian victims, as well as eight Togolese nationals and eight Hausa victims from Zakirai.
According to him, Muslims and Christians maintain separate cemeteries in the area, leading to initial figures being recorded independently before harmonisation.
“Over 100 persons were still missing and believed to have been kidnapped,” he had said, noting that he was directed by the Emir to compile a comprehensive list of abducted residents.
Dr. Abdul Woro further revealed that three additional bodies were recently discovered.
“We saw two burnt bodies inside a house that was set ablaze and another body in the forest,” he said.
Search efforts have reportedly continued in surrounding forest areas, with residents describing the lingering odour of decomposing bodies.
The release of the video has shifted attention from uncertainty about the missing to confirmation of their captivity — offering families a painful mixture of relief and renewed anxiety.