Trending 
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has commiserated with the families of the 13 children who died in captivity after they were abducted by bandits in Woro and Nuku communities.
The governor spoke on Friday when he received the rescued victims at a private location in Ilorin, the state capital.
Abdulrazaq thanked President Bola Tinubu and the military authorities for their roles in securing the release of the victims, who regained their freedom on Wednesday after months in captivity.
The victims, however, recounted the harsh conditions they endured, revealing that 10 pregnant women gave birth while in captivity, while 13 children died.
A nurse and daughter of the community’s chief said she assisted 10 pregnant women to deliver their babies with her bare hands, adding that the victims were poorly fed during their ordeal.
She also disclosed that 12 women and boys remained in captivity after the others were released.
The victims appeared visibly weak and emaciated as they met with the governor.
Earlier, Brigade Commander Major General Nicholas Rume commended the collaboration among security agencies, saying it contributed significantly to the successful rescue operation.
The victims were among 176 people abducted during the February 3 terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area. Of the 176 abductees, 13 children died in captivity, while 12 others reportedly declined to return.
The governor later visited a general hospital to check on 14 sick victims, including three women who gave birth while in captivity.
