The 176 residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State who were abducted by gunmen earlier this year have been rescued after spending several months in captivity.
The victims, who were kidnapped in February, regained their freedom on Wednesday following a joint security operation.
Confirming the development, the lawmaker representing Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, expressed gratitude over the successful rescue.
“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,” he said.
A senior official of the Kwara State Government also confirmed the rescue, describing it as a major success.
“Woro kidnap victims regain freedom! Alhamdulillah, and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security forces and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful,” the official said.
The rescue comes days after the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, rejected claims that the government had abandoned the abducted residents.
“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,” Danladi had said.
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He also expressed optimism that the victims would soon regain their freedom, explaining that the Kwara State Government was working with the Federal Government and security agencies to secure their release.
Danladi further disclosed that security had been reinforced across Kaiama Local Government Area as part of efforts to protect residents and combat criminal activities in the area.