The National Chairman of the Kaiama Development Association (KDA), Yakubu Salihu, has raised alarm over the fate of 13 individuals still unaccounted for after the rescue of 163 out of 176 women and children abducted from Woro community in Kwara State.
Rescue operation details
Armed terrorists invaded Woro on 3 February, killing scores of residents and abducting 176 women and children in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in Kwara North this year. On Thursday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced that the abductees and 145 others kidnapped from neighbouring Niger State had been rescued by security forces in the Kainji Lake National Park forest.
Speaking after the governor's disclosure, Mr Salihu confirmed that 163 of the abductees were among those rescued and were receiving medical care. However, he expressed deep concern over the missing 13.
"One hundred and seventy-six were taken away, only 163 were released, leaving 13 people still missing. Where are the others?" the Kaiama community leaders asked.
Captivity and birth of babies
Mr Salihu also disclosed that some of the women delivered babies during the six months they spent in captivity. The rescued victims are expected back in Kwara by Saturday for further medical attention and resettlement, according to the governor.
In a statement announcing the rescue, Governor AbdulRazaq said: "The rescued citizens are currently receiving comprehensive medical care and support at a federal health facility. We will be glad to receive them in the state upon the completion of their medical procedures so that we can also offer necessary support to ease their reintegration process."
Government and security collaboration
The governor said the victims were rescued through a coordinated operation by security agencies. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his decisive intervention, noting that about 145 other people abducted from neighbouring Niger State also regained freedom during the same operation.
Mr AbdulRazaq commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Security Service, the Nigerian Army and the police for their strategic collaboration. He urged residents to continue providing useful security information to prevent future attacks, expressing optimism that additional troops, military hardware, and new military formations would strengthen the fight against terrorists.
Community demands for permanent military base
For his part, Mr Salihu renewed the Kaima community's appeal to the federal government to expedite action on establishing a permanent Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama, saying inadequate security personnel had left communities vulnerable to repeated attacks.
"The federal government is working towards establishing a Nigerian Army battalion in our community. We are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations," he said.
Mr Salihu said a permanent military presence would improve surveillance, enhance emergency response, and help prevent a recurrence of such attacks. He also called on the government to rehabilitate the poor road network in Kaiama Local Government Area to improve security operations and economic activities.
Uncertainty over missing persons
Despite the rescue of 163 victims, concerns remain over the fate of the 13 people yet to be accounted for. The community is demanding answers, while security agencies have not provided any update on their whereabouts.
