One hundred and sixty-three residents abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have reunited with their families after spending more than two weeks receiving medical treatment in Ilorin.
The victims were escorted back to Kaiama on Thursday by the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Danladi; the Emir of Kaiama, Omar Shehu Muazu; and the Kiwazi of Wojibe, Ahmed Ibn Mohammad.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, MD Baniya, the return of the victims was marked by emotional scenes as relatives welcomed them home after weeks of uncertainty.
The statement said Danladi personally supervised the victims’ transportation from Ilorin to Kaiama after they completed their period of medical care.
The council chairman expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq for their roles and support in securing the victims’ freedom.
He also commended the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, for his advocacy and solidarity throughout the period the residents were in captivity.
Danladi thanked the Emir of Kaiama and members of the Kaiama Emirate Council for their prayers, guidance and moral support, while also acknowledging contributions from other stakeholders.
These included the Kaiama Development Association, various unions and indigenes of the community living both within Nigeria and abroad.
“The unity and collective efforts of our people formed the bedrock upon which this victory was built,” Danladi said.
The 163 residents were among those abducted during an attack on Woro community on February 3.
They were later freed following a coordinated security operation in the Kainji Lake National Park forest.
The victims were subsequently transported to Ilorin, where they received medical attention before being returned to Kaiama to reunite with their families.
