Half a year of detention ends: Rescued hostages share their harrowing experience

Six months after their abduction by terrorists, survivors of the Woro community attack in Kwara State's Kaiama Local Government Area have shared their traumatic experiences, including the deaths of 13 children and forced marriages of young women, as they received medical attention at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin on Friday.

n

The victims, who were kidnapped on February 3, 2026, were officially handed over to the Kwara State Government, and during a meeting with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Ilorin, they recounted their harrowing ordeal, which included severe hunger, deprivation, and the loss of hope.

n

Medical examinations conducted on the released victims have revealed that some of them tested positive for acute malaria and malnutrition, with 14 critically ill victims transferred to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

n

A source in the Ministry of Health, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the tests showed some victims were suffering from acute malaria and malnutrition, and while the cause of these conditions was not investigated, the focus was on providing medical treatment based on the test results.

n

Ameerah Saliu, one of the survivors and a health worker, recounted her experience of assisting in the delivery of 11 pregnant women while in captivity, with only about half of the babies surviving due to the harsh conditions in the terrorists' camp.

n

Ameerah described the experience as "living in hell and striving to stay alive," and despite her professional knowledge, the environment was too harsh, resulting in the death of 13 children and the marriage of some young women to their captors, while some young men joined the terrorists' camp.

n

The women, according to Ameerah, were not sexually molested but were subjected to severe hunger and deprivation, with meager food and water supplies, making their survival a daily struggle.

n

Ameerah expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Kwara State Government, and the security agencies for securing their freedom, which they had almost lost hope of regaining.

n

Another survivor, Hauwa Saliu, the wife of the Woro village head, corroborated Ameerah's account, describing their experience as difficult to put into words and expressing relief at their eventual rescue.

n

Governor AbdulRazaq commended President Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful rescue operation, demonstrating the Federal Government's commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace to affected communities.

n

The governor assured the survivors of the state government's continued support, rehabilitation, and reintegration, providing necessary assistance to help them recover from the trauma and challenges associated with their prolonged captivity.

n

Currently, 46 of the rescued survivors are receiving medical treatment at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, with the state government providing support for their recovery and rehabilitation.