No fewer than 176 residents abducted during the February 3 terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have regained their freedom, ending nearly six months of uncertainty and anguish for their families.
The Kwara State Government confirmed the development on Wednesday through its official Facebook page, describing it as a major breakthrough.
“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 government stated.
Although authorities have yet to disclose the exact details of the operation, community sources said security personnel, supported by military hardware, moved into the forest earlier on Wednesday before news of the captives’ release emerged.
Aliyu Umar, a resident and member of the community negotiation team, said reports indicated that the Federal Government launched a rescue operation.
According to him, residents of nearby Wawa community saw several long vehicles escorted by Army armoured tanks heading into the forest, while information reaching the communities suggested the freed victims had been handed over to government officials.
“We were hearing that the Federal Government was making moves. Information reaching me was that they had been handed over. People in Wawa saw several vehicles and Army armoured tanks heading into the forest,” he said.
The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Umar, also confirmed receiving similar information, saying residents reported seeing buses, Army gun trucks and other security vehicles moving toward the area.
“We had not spoken with the victims ourselves at that point, but everything we were hearing suggested they had been handed over to the rescue team,” he said.
Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, who played a key role in community efforts to secure the captives’ release, confirmed the development but said the circumstances surrounding their freedom remain unclear.
“Yes, it is true. They are arranging vehicles to bring them to Ilorin. We do not know exactly how they secured the release. We do not know whether there was any negotiation or ransom involved. At this stage, we simply do not know the circumstances,” he said.
The release comes after months of protests, appeals and negotiations by affected families.
Only days ago, hundreds of residents staged a peaceful protest in Kaiama, urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims after they had spent 171 days in captivity.
Families had also revealed that terrorists rejected more than ₦155 million raised through community donations, insisting they would only negotiate directly with the governments of Kwara and Niger states because many of the captives came from both states.
The 176 victims were abducted during coordinated attacks on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on February 3. The assault reportedly claimed many lives, displaced numerous families and destroyed homes and public infrastructure.
Their release brings relief to the affected communities, although authorities are yet to provide full details of how the operation was carried out….See more