13 Woro Kidnap Victims Still Missing After Mass Release, Community Leader Reveals

The National Chairman of the Kaiama Development Association, Alhaji Yakubu Salihu, has disclosed that 13 of the 176 residents abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State remain unaccounted for, despite the recent release of scores of victims after nearly six months in captivity.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Thursday, Salihu said records available to the community showed that 163 abductees had regained their freedom, leaving the whereabouts of 13 others unknown.

“We have records that 163 victims returned against the 176 persons that were abducted, so 13 persons are currently unaccounted for,” he said.

Salihu also revealed that the prolonged captivity had left deep emotional and physical scars on many of the victims, noting that some of the female abductees became pregnant while in captivity, while others gave birth before they were released.

He said the Kwara State Government had concluded arrangements to transport the freed victims from Niger State to Ilorin, where they would receive medical attention, rehabilitation and resettlement support.

“Hopefully, by Friday they will be moved back to Ilorin,” he said.

The community leader appealed to the Kwara State Government to urgently rehabilitate the four major roads leading to Kaiama, describing their poor condition as a major impediment to transportation, security operations and emergency response.

“Four roads leading to Kaiama are in deplorable conditions, so we are appealing to the state government to fix them,” he said.

Salihu also urged the federal government to expedite plans to establish a Nigerian Army battalion in the area, saying a permanent military presence would significantly improve security and prevent future attacks.

“The federal government is making efforts to establish a battalion of the Nigerian Army here. As a community, we are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations,” he added.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the federal government, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release, Salihu stressed that lasting peace would require sustained security interventions.

According to him, inadequate deployment of security personnel has continued to expose communities in the area to criminal attacks and delayed emergency responses.

He expressed confidence that the establishment of a permanent military formation would strengthen surveillance, improve response time and serve as a deterrent to criminal elements operating in the region.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the rescued victims are currently in Niger State undergoing medical examinations, security screening and other administrative procedures ahead of their return to Kwara State.

They are expected to arrive in Kwara on Friday upon the completion of the ongoing processes, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expected to receive them.

The victims’ release has drawn widespread commendation for President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, the Armed Forces, security agencies and other stakeholders involved in the operation.

Their return has also brought relief to families and residents of Woro community, where the mass abduction, which occurred about six months ago, heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in Kwara North.