Kwara Govt, Security Agencies Analyse Terrorists’ Video to Identify Kidnap Victims

Kwara Govt, Security Agencies Analyse Terrorists’ Video to Identify Kidnap Victims

The Kwara State Government has confirmed that it is working closely with security agencies and community leaders to ascertain the identities of kidnapped victims paraded in a video recently released by terrorists operating in parts of the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information, Bolanle Ojukoju, said government officials and security operatives are carefully analysing the footage to verify the identities of those shown and determine their communities of origin.

“Government officials and security agencies are carefully analysing the video to establish the identities of the individuals shown,” the statement said.

The terrorists had earlier released a video showing scores of abducted residents from Woro and Nuku communities. In the footage, the attackers accused the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of allegedly downplaying the number of abducted persons following the attacks.

The state government, however, acknowledged the anxiety caused by the footage, stressing that the exact number of kidnapped victims has not yet been confirmed.

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According to Ojukoju, conflicting reports have continued to emerge since the attacks, making it difficult for authorities to announce a definitive figure.

“Since the incident, there have been varying accounts regarding the number of persons abducted. For this reason, neither the state government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure.

“Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice,” she said.

The government further disclosed that it is actively engaging leaders of the affected communities, particularly Woro, to assist in identifying victims seen in the video.

“We have engaged Woro community leaders to assist in identifying individuals seen in the footage. As of now, a few persons have been preliminarily identified from the video as residents of Woro.

“Community representatives have also indicated that more individuals remain unaccounted for,” the statement added.

Ojukoju also clarified that some persons initially reported missing have since returned to their families, while others may have temporarily relocated to neighbouring areas, including Wawa and New Bussa in Niger State.

The government noted that its response and coordination committee, led by Ahmed Ibn Muhammed, continues to work with security agencies, local authorities, and community stakeholders to manage rescue efforts, humanitarian support, and the safe return of displaced residents.

While sympathising with families affected by the attacks, the state government urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

“The public is assured that verified updates will be provided as more information becomes available through proper coordination with security and community leaders,” the statement concluded.

Kwara Govt, Security Agencies Analyse Terrorists’ Video to Identify Kidnap Victims