Boko Haram Demands ₦3.52 Billion For 176 Kidnapped Woro Residents In Kwara

Boko Haram have contacted intermediaries and slapped a ransom demand of N20 million on each of the 176 abducted residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

This brings the total demand to a staggering N3,520,000,000 (N3.52 billion), community sources familiar with the ongoing talks have revealed.

The fresh disclosure comes amid growing fears that negotiations between the state government and the insurgents have hit a brick wall, explaining the prolonged silence from authorities in recent weeks.

A community source who spoke on Sunday evening disclosed that the terrorists reached out through negotiators and placed the heavy financial burden on both families and the government.

“The terrorists have already reached out through negotiators. They demanded N20 million for each of the 176 abducted people. That is the offer on the table now,” the source stated.

The insider explained that the Kwara State Government is unwilling to meet the huge ransom, leading to a complete stalemate.

“What is causing the silence from the government is that the negotiation has not succeeded. The government is not willing to pay that amount, so the discussion is still ongoing behind the scenes,” the source added.

Residents have also alleged that no serious military push has been made into the forest where the victims are believed to be held. Soldiers remain stationed only within the primary school in Woro, with no incursion into the bush.

“This is the same thing that happened at Eruku, when people were kidnapped and later released. They did not go in search of the terrorists; they later reached an agreement with them and the victims were released. Nobody has been arrested till date,” the source alleged, adding that authorities seem focused on finding a way to negotiate and possibly pay ransom.

The development has left families of the victims in deep anguish, especially as over a month has passed since the terrorists paraded the captives in a viral video.

Relatives fear that some hostages, particularly pregnant women and children who were already weak, may have died in the harsh bush conditions without food or medical care.

“We are living in fear every day. Since they were taken, we have not heard anything from the terrorists or from the government. No calls, no demands, nothing. It has been about a month since they paraded them in a video, and since then we have heard nothing again,” one relative lamented.

Another resident voiced the community’s collective grief: “Our hearts are heavy every day. We don’t know whether our people are alive or dead. We are begging the government to act because we cannot continue living like this. We are losing hope. Nobody is telling us anything. The government is silent, and the terrorists are silent too. We are afraid some of our people may have died in their camp.”

NaijaChoice News recalls that the abduction followed the deadly attack on Woro community on February 3, 2026, by suspected Sahel-backed terrorists. The assault left over 200 people dead, including two wives of the Emir of Woro, several of his children, the Chief Imam, a school principal, a headmistress and students, according to UNICEF’s humanitarian flash update.

The United Nations agency also confirmed that around 176 women, including pregnant ones, and children were kidnapped, with up to 17,000 people affected and many displaced to neighbouring states and even Benin Republic.

In the disturbing video released around mid-February, the terrorists paraded dozens of distressed women and children, some half-clothed and in dirty garments. One insurgent accused the Kwara State Government of underreporting the number of victims, claiming the official figure of 20 to 30 was false while they held 176.

Following the footage, the state government, through Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju, expressed deep concern and said it was collaborating with security agencies and community leaders to verify identities and coordinate rescue efforts. A response committee led by His Highness Ahmed Ibn Muhammed was set up for humanitarian support and safe return of displaced persons.

However, as of now, no breakthrough has been announced, even as military and police presence has allowed some residents to return home.

UNICEF has since mobilised dignity and maternity kits, set up health services for pregnant women and children, and conducted a field mission to the area, but the hostages remain in captivity with their fate uncertain.

Families and residents are now appealing to the federal and state governments to intervene urgently, warning that continued delay could lead to more tragic losses in the bush.