At least 25 children abducted from Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states died while in terrorists’ captivity, with some reportedly dying during transit and being buried in the forest, a Kwara State lawmaker, Saidu Baba-Ahmed, has disclosed. He said the victims were among 336 people kidnapped across the three states.

Baba-Ahmed, who represents Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, said 315 victims regained their freedom after about six months in captivity. The figure comprised 308 people rescued from forests in Kwara and Niger states and seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, who were abducted the previous week.

According to the lawmaker, 12 young men voluntarily joined the terrorists’ ranks after the group asked captives who wanted to become fighters. He also said 176 people were abducted from Kwara, with 163 released and 15 still missing. Two women who were pregnant when they were abducted reportedly returned with babies, while the other released women were not pregnant.

The rescued victims arrived in Ilorin and were taken for medical attention, with 46 receiving treatment at a hospital while the state government assessed their condition before reunification with their families. Baba-Ahmed commended the federal and state governments for their efforts in securing the release of the captives.