According to the relative, the abductees said they had personally witnessed a helicopter arrive while they were held captive and deliver money to the kidnappers. “When they heard that the government was claiming they were rescued and that no money was paid, two of my family members were shocked,” the relative told SaharaReporters. “They said a helicopter came while they were in captivity and money was brought to the kidnappers. Among those freed were 163 people abducted from Woro during the February attack on the community, alongside 145 other victims abducted largely from neighbouring Niger State. The rescued victims were subsequently taken for medical evaluation before being reunited with their families.