Suspected Boko Haram terrorists who abducted 176 women and children from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have threatened to execute the victims within one week if their demands are not met.

The threat was reportedly communicated through some of the abductees after a Jumu’ah prayer session on Friday, according to community members and families.

The traditional ruler of the community, Salihu Bio, whose wife is among those abducted, confirmed the development on Monday.

He said one of the victims was allowed to contact her family and pass the message from the terrorists.

“The abductees told us that after the Jumu’ah prayer on Friday, the terrorists said the government was not taking the matter seriously and that if nothing is done within one week, they will begin to take drastic actions,” he said.

Bio added that the abductors complained that the government was not serious about negotiations despite the resources being used to keep the victims alive.

He also said the abductee who made contact confirmed that the victims were still alive.

“The terrorists allowed one of the abductees to call her family on Saturday, and she confirmed that they were all fine. She also said the captors have been teaching them Arabic and Islamic knowledge,” he stated.

A community source, who asked not to be named, said the terrorists also threatened to marry off some of the girls and kill those they considered liabilities if no agreement was reached.

“The Boko Haram fighters complained that they are spending money and resources to feed the abductees and that nothing is coming out of it. They said if nothing is agreed upon within one week, they will start marrying off some of the girls and kill those they consider liabilities,” the source said.

“We are helpless. These are our wives and children. Now they are threatening to kill them or force them into marriage,” the source added.

In a video reportedly released by the terrorists, an armed militant claimed responsibility for the abduction and said the victims had been indoctrinated.

“We are the ones who kidnapped the people of Woro and Kososo. We have indoctrinated them and changed their way of life. However, the victims have been begging us, and we have given them the opportunity so that their government can hear from them. We are giving them a final opportunity to appeal to the government,” the militant said.

Efforts to get an official reaction from the police were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.