Families of people kidnapped during a deadly attack in Kwara State say more than N155 million raised as ransom did not secure the release of their loved ones, five months after the incident.

The attack occurred on February 3, 2026, when community leaders said more than 100 armed attackers invaded Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. They said over 260 people were killed, more than 30 houses were burnt, and 176 residents were abducted.

Speaking to BBC Hausa, Alhaji Abdul Ibrahim, who represented the affected families, said he lost 10 relatives and still had 35 family members in captivity.

He said the community raised N155 million after the kidnappers demanded ransom, but the money was rejected.

“We raised N155 million and took it to them, but they refused to accept it, saying it was not enough. We returned with the money and have not heard from our relatives since. We appeal to the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to rescue them because there is nothing more we can do,” he said.

Under Nigerian law, paying ransom to kidnappers is illegal.

The families said they were disappointed that while security forces rescued victims abducted in a separate incident in neighbouring Oyo State, those taken from Woro were still being held.

Another community leader, Alhaji Sulaiman Bukata, said residents recently held a peaceful protest to demand government action. He claimed the kidnappers threatened to force some young women into marriage and kill others if authorities failed to act. However, the claim could not be independently verified.

The lawmaker representing the area in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, urged the Federal Government to step up efforts to rescue the captives, saying the prolonged wait had increased the suffering of the affected families.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted and sentenced one Sunmonu Olasunkanmi Thaoban to four years’ imprisonment for money laundering.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Sunmonu on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Meanwhile, the defendant pleaded guilty to both count charges.

After his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, H. U. Kofarnaisa, reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

The pressing judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko found Sunmonu guilty and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N1.8 million fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the convict’s black G-Wagon Jeep and mobile device to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a related development, the court also convicted and sentenced four Bureau de Change, BDC, operators to 12 months’ imprisonment each for engaging in illegal foreign exchange transactions.

The convicts, Umar Muhammad Lamido, Yusuf Musa Yusuf, Abdulmuhimin Mahmud, and Muhammed Musa, were prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi, on separate one-count charges bordering on illegal foreign exchange operations.

The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, H. U. Kofarnaisa, reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Aluko convicted the four defendants and sentenced each of them to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a N100,000 fine.

At least five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade. GAPOSA, Ogun State, were reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen on Wednesday.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday when the attackers invaded a private student hostel along Paraga Road, Ipara-Remo, one of the communities adjoining the polytechnic.

It was learnt that the attack lasted for approximately 30 minutes, during which the assailants allegedly fired gunshots and abducted several students.

Following the incident, the polytechnic management suspended all examinations scheduled for Thursday.

“Following the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday, today’s examination has been cancelled. However, tomorrow’s examination remains scheduled as planned. If there is any change regarding tomorrow’s examination, an official announcement will be communicated promptly.

“For now, all students are encouraged to remain calm, stay positive, and continue preparing for their examinations. We are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon,” the notice read.

The Students’ Union Government, SUG confirmed that five students were affected.

In a statement jointly signed by the SUG President, Akinpelu Bukunmi Timothy, General Secretary Salau Boluwaduro Saidat, and Public Relations Officer, Matthew Francis Sonayon, the attacked hostel “is situated in a remote area surrounded by thick bush, making it vulnerable and unsuitable as a safe residential environment for students.”

“At approximately 7:45 p.m., suspected armed bandits attacked a private student hostel located along Paraga Road, Ipara. The hostel is situated in a remote area surrounded by thick bush, making it vulnerable and unsuitable as a safe residential environment for students.

“The attack lasted for approximately 30 minutes. Due to the isolated location of the hostel, residents in surrounding areas were unable to hear or respond to the incident in time. During the attack, the assailants fired gunshots; however, no student lost their life. By the grace of God, several students escaped through the POP ceiling, while others were unable to flee.

“We can confirm that five students were abducted during the incident. The matter has officially been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies, and we are confident that immediate efforts are underway to ensure the safe rescue of the affected students.”

They urged students, parents, guardians, and members of the public to disregard “false, exaggerated, and unverified information” circulating on social media.

The union added: “While the incident is real and deeply unfortunate, many of the stories currently in circulation do not accurately represent the facts and only serve to create unnecessary fear and panic within the school community.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the abduction but said the command had yet to ascertain whether the victims were students.

“The Ogun State Police Command is aware of the abduction incident reported at a private hostel in the Ipara area on the night of Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

“Immediately the distress report was received, the Command activated a coordinated operational response, deploying tactical teams and intelligence assets to the area. Bush-combing and other targeted operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible.

“The exact number of victims is yet to be ascertained, as verification and investigation are still in progress.”

He urged members of the public to disregard unverified figures and refrain from circulating misinformation capable of undermining ongoing operations.

DAILY POST reports that this comes barely 24hrs after a final year female marketing student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori,  was killed during an overnight robbery in the Eruku area of the community.