After more than two weeks of medical care, one hundred and sixty-three residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted during a deadly attack on the community, have returned home and reunited with their families.
The return of the victims to Kaiama on Thursday brought relief and emotional moments to the community, as relatives who had endured weeks of uncertainty and anxiety finally received their loved ones.
The abductees were escorted from Ilorin to Kaiama by Abubakar Danladi, Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Omar Muazu; Emir of Kaiama, and Ahmed Mohammad, Kiwazi of Wojibe.
In a statement issued on Thursday by MD Baniya, Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state government said the victims had been reunited with their families after completing the necessary medical care.
The statement said the local government chairman personally coordinated the victims’ return journey from Ilorin to Kaiama, ensuring that they were safely conveyed back to their community after their prolonged ordeal.
Speaking on the development, Danladi expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Governor) for their intervention and support towards securing the release and welfare of the abducted residents.
“I express our profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly concern and unwavering support.
“We are equally grateful to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his intervention and commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every citizen of Kwara State”, the chairman said.
Danladi also commended Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu, for his advocacy and solidarity throughout the period the victims remained in captivity.
“We appreciate the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, for his relentless advocacy and solidarity throughout the ordeal,” he said.
The council chairman further acknowledged the role played by traditional institutions in supporting the affected families and the community during the crisis.
He specifically commended the Emir of Kaiama and members of the Kaiama Emirate Council for their prayers, guidance and moral support throughout the period the victims were held captive and during their recovery.
Danladi also extended appreciation to other stakeholders, including the Kaiama Development Association, community unions and indigenes of the area living in Nigeria and abroad, for their prayers, contributions and support.
According to him, the collective response of the community demonstrated the importance of unity in confronting security challenges and supporting victims of violent attacks.
“The unity and collective efforts of our people formed the bedrock upon which this victory was built,” he said.
The 163 residents were among those abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area and rescue on 5th of August, 2026.
The victims were subsequently freed following a coordinated security operation conducted in the forested area of the Kainji Lake National Park, where security forces intensified efforts to locate and rescue the abducted residents.
Following their release, the victims were transported to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where they received medical attention and other forms of support to aid their physical and psychological recovery after spending days in captivity.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
