Usman Okai Austin, a Kogi-born activist and co-convener of Nigerians United Against Terror, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, and local vigilante groups for securing the release of residents abducted from the Woro community in Kwara State. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Okai described the rescue as a significant breakthrough, attributing it to strong intelligence work, effective coordination among security agencies, and the involvement of local security assets on the ground.
Rescue of Kwara Abductees After Months in Captivity
The victims were seized during a violent attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. They spent several months in captivity before being released and arriving in Ilorin, the state capital. Okai praised the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the military hierarchy for their roles in the operation, which he said demonstrated the power of seamless collaboration between formal security institutions and community-level actors.
Okai cautioned Nigerians against politicizing national security, urging citizens to cooperate with and support security agencies for the collective good of the country. He emphasized that the success of the Woro rescue operation showcased what could be achieved through unified efforts.
Okai Backs Prosecution of Retired DSS Officer Over IPOB Links
In a separate remark, Okai commended the DSS leadership for enforcing internal discipline, pointing to the arraignment of retired DSS officer Ihechimere Ezeakolam. Ezeakolam was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja following a ruling by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court. He faces four counts related to alleged support for and involvement with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Okai described the prosecution as a necessary move to protect the integrity of Nigeria's security architecture. He urged the military and the Nigeria Police Force to adopt similar internal accountability frameworks, arguing that this would improve transparency and strengthen operations against banditry and insurgency across the country.
Call for Accountability in Security Sector
Okai added that holding security personnel to strict professional standards would build public confidence in the institutions and raise the overall quality of service among personnel. He reiterated the importance of accountability in fostering trust and effectiveness in Nigeria's security sector, which remains critical in addressing ongoing threats.
The rescue of the Woro abductees marks a positive development in Nigeria's fight against kidnapping and banditry, with activists and citizens alike hoping for continued collaboration and vigilance.
