The Kwara State Government has announced that all residents abducted during the deadly terrorist attack on Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area have regained their freedom. The announcement was made on Wednesday via a brief statement on the state government's official Facebook page, which expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, security agencies, and all parties involved in securing the victims' release.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact number of victims released, the circumstances of their release, or whether any conditions were attached. The statement read: "Woro kidnap victims regain freedom. Alhamdulillah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!."
Background of the Attack
In early February, more than 100 people, including women and children, were abducted during an attack on Woro by terrorists affiliated with the Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction. The assailants also killed scores of residents and set houses ablaze during the two-day assault. While the state government did not confirm the number of abductees at the time, the village head of Woro, Salihu Umar, reported that approximately 176 people were taken. Mr. Umar's own wives and daughters were among the captives.
A day after the attack, the village estimated that 75 people had been buried, including two of Mr. Umar's sons. The Red Cross put the death toll at 165, though other sources suggested higher figures. The attack occurred during ongoing wedding ceremonies in the village, meaning many victims were visitors or wedding guests from other communities.
Government Response and Nationwide Outrage
The February attack sparked nationwide outrage, leading President Tinubu to order intensified military operations in the area. Security forces launched rescue efforts and worked to restore stability to affected communities. The terrorists had previously sent a letter to the village head, notifying him of their intention to visit for radical preaching, three weeks before the invasion. A similar letter was sent to the village head of Nuku.
Mr. Umar had taken copies of the letter to the Kaiama Emirate and the State Security Service (SSS). He explained that the terrorists had clashed with soldiers in the village and neighboring Nuku about two months before the attack, which led to the withdrawal of security forces from the area.
Videos and Protests
Two weeks after the attack, the terrorists released a video on TikTok showing the abducted victims and mocking the Kwara State Government for claiming that no more than 30 people had been kidnapped. In the video, a terrorist questioned the abducted women and children about their origins and numbers. Four women responded that they were from Woro, with one saying they were 176 in captivity. A few weeks later, another video showed the captives pleading for government intervention.
In the months following the abduction, families, residents, women, youths, and community leaders staged protests in Kaiama town, demanding the rescue of their loved ones. The outcry intensified after the government announced the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in neighboring Oyo State, prompting families to question why their loved ones were still held.
Discrepancies and Final Headcount
Last week, the Kwara State Police Command and the Kaiama Development Association disagreed over the number of abducted persons. Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi said the command could not verify claims of 176 kidnappings, while the association insisted the figure was based on records compiled by families, traditional rulers, and local volunteers. The association urged the police to focus on rescuing the victims rather than disputing figures.
Mr. Umar told PREMIUM TIMES that the discrepancy led the community to conduct another headcount. "They asked us to compile the list again, and we documented a total of 167 abductees," he said. The list, shared with PREMIUM TIMES, showed 58 males and 109 females, ranging in age from one to 50 years.
Following the government's announcement of the rescue, PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Mr. Umar for comment. His telephone line was unreachable, and a WhatsApp voice message had not been responded to at the time of filing this report.
