From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Hundreds of residents of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, took to the streets in a peaceful protest, calling on the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government, to intensify efforts to secure the release of 176 residents of Woro community who have remained in captivity for 171 days.
The demonstrators, comprising men, women, youths and children, said they could no longer remain silent over what they described as the prolonged delay in rescuing the victims, who were abducted during an attack on Woro community on February 3.
Addressing the protesters, President of the Kaiama Development Association, Alhaji Salihu Yakubu, alleged that more than 300 people lost their lives during the attack, while 176 others, including women, children and men, were taken away by the attackers.
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He lamented what he described as the absence of adequate government intervention since the incident.
“Woro community was attacked in February and 176 people were taken away. There has been no update on their whereabouts.
“We are calling on the government to come to our rescue and bring back our children, wives and husbands.
“Enough is enough. The government should act swiftly to rescue our innocent people. Woro abductees should not be treated differently from other Nigerians,” Yakubu said.
The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Bio-Salihu, said the community was still grappling with the trauma of the attack, adding that nearby communities such as Nuku, Tenebo, Kemaanji and Maje had also experienced attacks by suspected bandits.
“Since the attack on Woro community, other communities in Kaiama have continued to experience attacks. Our people are living in fear.
“The government acted swiftly in similar incidents in other parts of the country. We appeal for the same commitment to securing the release of our people.
“We are Nigerians. Please rescue our people and reunite them with their families,” he appealed.
One of the protesters, Mrs Awwal Mohammed, said insecurity had severely affected livelihoods in the area, noting that many residents could no longer safely access their farms and markets.
She said the continued captivity of the victims had left families devastated and the community feeling abandoned.
Responding to the concerns, the spokesperson for Kaiama Local Government, Mr Suleiman Tanko, assured residents that both the council chairman and the Kwara State Government, were working towards securing the release of the abductees.
The convener of the protest, Mr Abdulhammeed Abubakar, described the demonstration as a peaceful appeal aimed at drawing urgent attention to the plight of the victims.
“Our people deserve urgent attention. We urge the government to intensify efforts to rescue them and reunite them with their families,” he said.
The protesters marched from the Kaiama Roundabout through the Emir’s Palace and the Kaiama Police Station before ending the procession at the Kaiama Local Government Secretariat, where they reiterated their demand for immediate government action.
