Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has commiserated with the families of the 13 children who died in captivity after their abduction by bandits in the Woro area of the state.

The governor stated this on Friday when he received the rescued victims of the Woro abduction at a private location in Ilorin, the state capital.

Abdulrazaq, however, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the military hierarchy, whom he said played great roles in the rescue of the victims.

Though happy to be rescued, the victims gave details of inhuman treatment they suffered while in captivity, as 10 pregnant women delivered babies while 13 children died in captivity.

According to the daughter of the chief of the community, who is a nurse, she took delivery of 10 pregnant women with bare hands while the food being offered was nothing to write home about.

She said 12 women and boys stayed behind.

The victims, who could barely utter words as they still looked skinny, waved and thanked the governor as he moved around to greet them.

Earlier, the Brigade Commander, Major General Nicholas Rume, thanked everyone for their collaboration in the rescue of the victims.

He assured that the military hierarchy would not relent in the fight against crime in the country

He added that the collaboration among security agencies made the rescue possible.

The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umar, who was visibly emotional, lamented the death of some members of the community while in captivity.

The governor and his entourage later visited the general hospital to check the 14 sick victims, especially three women who gave birth in captivity.

The victims, who were abducted during the deadly February 3 terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, regained their freedom on Wednesday.

The development was announced in a post on the official Facebook page of the Kwara State Government.

Of the 176 people abducted, 13 children died in captivity, while 12 others declined to return.

Tinubu has welcomed the “successful” rescue of the victims.

The President commended the leadership and personnel of the security agencies for their bravery, seamless inter-agency collaboration, and dedication, which made the recovery of the victims possible.