BREAKING: Boko Haram Plans ‘quranic Graduation’ For Over 100 Women, Children Abducted From Kwara Community, Families Reveal

 

The development comes months after the terrorists massacred over 200 residents of the community and abducted 176 women and children during a deadly raid that shocked the nation.

Families of victims abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have told SaharaReporters that the insurgents are preparing to organise a Quranic graduation ceremony for more than 100 women and children held in captivity.

The development comes months after the terrorists massacred over 200 residents of the community and abducted 176 women and children during a deadly raid that shocked the nation.

Family members of the abductees told SaharaReporters that the terrorists disclosed the planned graduation during recent telephone conversations when relatives called to inquire about the condition of their loved ones.

According to the families, the insurgents claimed that they had spent months teaching the captives Islamic knowledge, religious etiquette and Quranic memorisation and that many of them were now ready to “graduate.”

One relative, who spoke through a community source, said the terrorists boasted that the abductees had acquired extensive Islamic education while in captivity.

“They told us that many of our women and children have now memorised portions of the Quran and undergone Islamic teachings,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“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 said.

The source added that the terrorists also issued a fresh threat regarding future negotiations for the release of the captives.

According to the family member, the insurgents warned that all expenses incurred for the proposed graduation ceremony would eventually be added to whatever financial demands they may place on the government and families during negotiations.

“They said all the money they are going to spend on the graduation will not be wasted,” the source said.

“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 information as disturbing and emotionally devastating.

“We don’t know whether to cry or to be afraid,” the family member said.

“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 development demonstrates how long the abductees have remained in captivity.

“It is painful that these women and children have spent so much time with the terrorists that they are now talking about graduation ceremonies,” the source said.

“This shows how prolonged this tragedy has become and how urgently government intervention is needed.”

The revelation comes weeks after families of the abductees lamented the prolonged silence from both the terrorists and government authorities, expressing fears that some pregnant women and children may have died in captivity.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that terrorists released a disturbing video in which they paraded dozens of women and children abducted from Woro community.

In the footage, several captives appealed to the Kwara State Government and the public to help secure their freedom.

One of the women disclosed that the terrorists had been teaching them Islamic etiquette and 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 in the video.

The victim added that although the captives were being fed, many were suffering from illnesses while pregnant women and children remained among those being held.

The latest disclosure has renewed concerns over the fate of the 176 abductees who were seized after terrorists invaded Woro community in February.

During that attack, more than 200 people were reportedly killed, including two wives of the Emir of Woro, some of his children, the community’s Chief Imam, a school principal, a headmistress and several students.

The attackers also set parts of the Emir’s palace ablaze and carted away numerous residents into the forest.

The prolonged captivity of the victims has sparked growing anger in Kwara North.

Recently, concerned youths staged protests in Kaiama, demanding urgent action from authorities and calling for the safe return of the women and children.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS