Families of victims abducted from the Woro community in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have said suspected Boko Haram terrorists are preparing to organise a Quranic graduation ceremony for more than 100 women and children held in captivity.
The families said the development was disclosed during recent telephone conversations with the abductors.
The victims were abducted months ago after terrorists attacked the Woro community, killing scores of residents and taking away 176 women and children.
Family members told SaharaReporters that the terrorists claimed they had spent months teaching the captives Islamic knowledge, religious etiquette and Quranic memorisation.
One relative, who spoke through a community source, said the abductors boasted that many of the women and children were now ready to “graduate.”
The source said, “They told us that many of our women and children have now memorised portions of the Quran and undergone Islamic teachings.
“They said they are preparing a graduation ceremony for them. They claimed they have invested resources, food and time into teaching them and that they want to celebrate their achievements.”
The source added that the terrorists warned that expenses for the planned ceremony would later be added to ransom demands during negotiations with the government and families.
The source said, “They said all the money they are going to spend on the graduation will not be wasted.
“They specifically warned that when the time comes for negotiations, the government and families will pay for everything they spent on the ceremony.”
Another relative described the development as disturbing and emotionally devastating.
The family member said, “We don’t know whether to cry or to be afraid.
“These are people who should be reunited with their families, yet the terrorists are talking about graduating them as if they belong to them. Every day they remain there, we fear they are being indoctrinated and separated further from their families.”
A community leader familiar with efforts to secure the release of the victims said the latest disclosure showed how long the abductees had remained in captivity.
The source said, “It is painful that these women and children have spent so much time with the terrorists that they are now talking about graduation ceremonies.
“This shows how prolonged this tragedy has become and how urgently government intervention is needed.”
The revelation came weeks after families lamented prolonged silence from both the abductors and government authorities.
A video earlier released by the terrorists showed dozens of abducted women and children appealing for help.
In the footage, one of the women said the abductors had been teaching them religious knowledge.
“Please, we’re begging you. They teach us Islamic etiquette. What we don’t know at home, we have known them. We did not know so many things, but they taught us,” she said.
The victim added that although the captives were being fed, many were ill, while pregnant women and children remained among those held.
The victims were abducted after terrorists invaded the Woro community in February.
During the attack, more than 200 people were reportedly killed, including members of the Emir’s household, community leaders, school officials and students.
The attackers also set parts of the Emir’s palace on fire and took many residents into the forest.
