TSARAGI, KWARA STATE — Three residents of Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State have reportedly remained in captivity for more than five months despite their families making multiple ransom payments and supplying items demanded by their abductors.

Information provided by families and concerned residents indicates that four residents of the community have been affected by the abduction, with three still being held.

According to the accounts, families of the victims have paid ransom on more than three occasions in efforts to secure their release. They are also said to have provided other items allegedly demanded by the kidnappers, including fuel, recharge cards, groundnut oil and other supplies.
Despite these efforts, the three victims have reportedly not been released.

The prolonged captivity has left families and friends increasingly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones. They have continued to pray for their safe return while appealing to authorities to intervene.

The claims contained in the accounts provided to Benue Info-pedia could not independently be verified at the time of publication. The identities of the victims, the exact amount of ransom allegedly paid and the identities or number of the suspected kidnappers were not provided.

The development has also heightened concerns about security in parts of the area following another reported attack in Ya Nakoko Nna, where two additional people were reportedly kidnapped.

Residents are now calling for stronger action from authorities and traditional leaders across Kwara North, including the Emirs, as well as the Kwara State Government.

They want authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity and strengthen security around communities considered vulnerable to kidnapping.
For affected families, however, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their relatives.

The situation also raises broader concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities to prolonged kidnapping and the humanitarian consequences for families forced to negotiate with abductors.

While the ransom-payment claims remain to be independently established, residents say the prolonged captivity should not be allowed to disappear from public attention.