From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Rescued victims of the February bandit attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, have arrived in Ilorin, ending months of captivity, even as community leaders insist that 13 abducted residents are still missing.
The victims were brought into the Kwara State capital late Thursday following a coordinated security operation involving the military and other security agencies. They were received at the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Sobi Barracks, before been moved to a secure location where they are expected to undergo medical checks, counselling and other post-rescue procedures.
The return of the victims marks a major breakthrough in efforts to free those abducted when heavily armed bandits invaded Woro community on February 3, killing scores of residents and taking women and children into the forest.
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The rescued victims are expected to be formally presented to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has consistently engaged security authorities over the rescue mission. Security agencies are also verifying the identities and exact number of those rescued as part of ongoing post-rescue procedures.
While families welcomed the return of many of the captives, the Kaiama Development Association (KDA), said not everyone taken during the attack has regained freedom.
National Chairman of the association, Yakubu Salihu, disclosed that although 163 of the 176 women and children abducted had been released after about six months in captivity, 13 victims remain unaccounted for.
“176 were taken away, only 163 were released, thus short of 13 people. Where are the others?” Salihu said.
He described the ordeal of the victims as heartbreaking, revealing that some of the women gave birth while in captivity.
Salihu urged security agencies not to relent until every remaining captive is rescued, stressing that affected families deserve complete closure after months of anxiety.
He also renewed the community’s appeal for the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama, arguing that the vast area remains inadequately protected.
“The Federal Government is working towards establishing a Nigerian Army battalion in our community. As a community, we are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations,” he said.
According to him, the existing security personnel are overstretched, making it difficult to respond swiftly to emergencies across the local government.
“If the Federal Government can expedite the establishment of the military base, we are ready to provide every necessary support to ensure its smooth take-off. Once the battalion is operational, security response will be faster, and we believe it will go a long way in preventing similar attacks from happening again,” Salihu added.
The KDA chairman also appealed to the Federal and Kwara State governments to rehabilitate roads in Kaiama, saying poor infrastructure continues to hamper security operations and limit socio-economic development in the area.
The successful rescue has brought relief to many families, but community leaders maintain that the mission will only be complete when the remaining 13 missing residents are safely reunited with their loved ones.
