Families of at least 176 people abducted by suspected terrorists in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have renewed calls on the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to secure the release of their loved ones, who have remained in captivity for nearly six months.

The appeal comes amid claims that the abductors threatened to force some of the female captives into marriage while killing the remaining hostages.

Speaking during an interview monitored on BBC Hausa, Abdul Ibrahim, a resident of Kaiama, said the kidnappers rejected more than ₦155 million raised through community contributions to secure the victims’ release.

According to him, the abductors warned that they would marry the “beautiful” female captives and kill the others if their demands were not met.

“We have done everything within our means. The money was raised, yet our people have not been released. Their suffering continues, and families are living in agony,” Ibrahim said.

He appealed to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, noting that the affected communities had exhausted virtually every available option, including peaceful protests, without success.

Also speaking, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama and Suleiman Bukata urged security agencies to replicate the operation that recently secured the rescue of kidnapped victims in Oyo State.

Bukata said the successful rescue in Oyo had given families in Kaiama hope that similar efforts could be extended to those still being held by terrorists in Kwara State.

He stressed that every additional day in captivity exposes the victims to greater danger and hardship, calling for urgent government intervention.

Commenting on the broader security situation in northern Nigeria, Senator Adamu Aliero expressed concern over the persistent threat of terrorism but said the challenge was not due to inadequate funding.

He noted that the National Assembly has consistently approved budgetary requests from security agencies to support counter-terrorism operations, arguing that the continued attacks reflect the complexity of the country’s security challenges.

Aliero also reiterated his support for the creation of state police, saying governors should be constitutionally empowered to establish local policing structures capable of responding more effectively to security threats in their respective states.