176 Kwara Abductees Regain Freedom After Six Months in Captivity

176 Kwara Abductees Regain Freedom After Six Months in Captivity

The Kwara State Government has confirmed the release of 176 residents abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, bringing an end to nearly six months of captivity for the victims. The development was announced on Wednesday through a post on the state government’s official Facebook page by Olayinka Fafoluyi, media aide to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. The statement expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security forces for their role in securing the victims’ freedom. “Alhamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!” the statement read.

The victims, who spent 183 days in captivity following their abduction during one of the deadliest attacks in Kwara State’s history, were rescued on Wednesday in what officials described as a joint security operation. Confirming the development, the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kwara State, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, disclosed that the victims were being held at the Wawa Military Cantonment in neighbouring Niger State pending their transportation back to Kwara. “Yes, it’s true that they have been released, and I can’t tell for now whether ransom was paid or not. They are currently in Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State because our people are not the only victims released. The Office of the Secretary to the State Government is currently arranging vehicles that will bring them to Ilorin,” Danladi stated.

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The victims were abducted when suspected Boko Haram-linked extremists invaded the rural communities of Woro and Nuku on motorcycles, launching a coordinated assault that reportedly lasted for several hours. The attack, regarded as one of the deadliest in the state’s history, reportedly claimed more than 200 lives, left several others injured, destroyed homes and businesses, and displaced many residents. Local vigilantes who attempted to resist the attackers were reportedly overwhelmed, with some allegedly trapped and burnt inside their operational office. In April, a video circulated on social media showing one of the abducted women appealing to the Kwara State Government to intensify efforts to secure their release. Speaking from captivity alongside fellow victims, the woman disclosed that the group included pregnant women, young children and sick persons. “We are from Woro in Kaiama local government. We were taken on February 3, and today is April 8. This is the last opportunity they have given us,” she said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, commended the efforts of security agencies and other stakeholders involved in the operation. He also expressed the state government’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and security personnel for their joint roles in securing the victims’ freedom. The member representing Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saidu Baba Ahmed, described the release as a major relief. “Yes, the Woro kidnap victims have been released. I’m very, very excited about this development. We give thanks to President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and our security operatives,” the lawmaker said. However, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said he was yet to receive official confirmation when contacted. “I’m not aware, so I cannot confirm it. I made contacts to Kaiama Local Government; still, I couldn’t get concrete information,” the police commissioner stated.

Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release, including whether any rescue operation, negotiation or ransom payment led to their freedom. However, top sources in the Kwara State Government and State Security Service indicated that negotiations took place, though they did not mention whether payments were made. Last Friday, Chairman Danladi had dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the abducted residents, stating, “We have not forgotten them. We are collaborating with the state government to get them rescued. But this is a security matter and we cannot disclose everything on the pages of newspapers.” He had expressed confidence that the victims would soon regain their freedom.