There was jubilation in parts of Kwara State on Wednesday following reports that 176 residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, who were abducted in February, had regained their freedom.
The development was captured in a video showing vehicles and motorcycles moving from Wawa in Niger State towards Woro, with residents heard chanting ‘Alhamdulillaah’ and ‘Oluwa se o’.
A resident who spoke in the video said the vehicles and motorcycles were coming from Wawa in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and were believed to be heading towards Woro or Kaiama.
The victims were reportedly rescued by joint security forces on Wednesday.
The member representing Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena Constituency of Kaiama Local Government in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, confirmed the release.
‘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,’ the lawmaker said.
A senior state government official also celebrated the reported development, saying, ‘Woro Kidnap Victims Regain Freedom. Alhamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!’
The Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kwara State and Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, also confirmed the release.
Danladi said the victims were at the Wawa military cantonment in Niger State and were awaiting transportation to Kwara State.
‘Yes, it’s true that they have been released, and I can’t tell for now whether ransom was paid or not.
‘They are currently in Wawa military cantonment in Niger State, because our people are not the only victims released.
‘But the office of the Secretary to the State Government is currently arranging vehicles that will bring them to Ilorin.
‘So I thank Almighty God that their release happened in my time, and I’m very excited about this,’ he said.
However, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said he was unaware of the reported release and could not confirm it.
‘I’m not aware, so I cannot confirm it. I made contact with Kaiama Local Government, but I still couldn’t get concrete information,’ he said.