After 171 Days In Terrorists’ Den, 176 Victims Still Missing As Angry Kwara Youths Storm Streets

Hundreds of angry youths and residents of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday took to the streets to protest the continued captivity of 176 residents of Woro community, who have remained in the hands of terrorists for 171 days.

The demonstrators demanded urgent intervention from the Federal Government, insisting that the prolonged captivity of the victims was unacceptable and calling for their immediate rescue.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters marched from the Kaiama main roundabout to the Emir’s Palace, the Divisional Police Headquarters, and later to the local government secretariat.

Speaking during the protest, one of the organisers, Abdulhameed Abubakar, said the demonstration was aimed at drawing national attention to the victims’ plight and reminding authorities of their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

According to him, the community has waited too long without significant progress, urging President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his reported promise to deploy an Army battalion to Kaiama.

The protesters also called for stronger security across Kaiama and neighbouring communities and demanded the de-gazetting of the Kainji Lake National Park, which they alleged had become a safe haven for terrorists.

“Our people have remained in captivity for 171 days. We want the government to act decisively and ensure their safe return,” Abubakar said.



The Village Head of Woro, Umar Bio Salihu, whose wife and child are among those abducted, made an emotional appeal to the government not to abandon the victims.

“We want our people back. We are pleading with the government to bring them home as quickly as possible,” he said.



Also speaking, the National President of the Kaiama Development Association (KDA), Mallam Yakubu Salihu, lamented that the community felt neglected despite the prolonged ordeal.

He alleged that kidnappers recently collected about ₦40 million in ransom from residents of Venra community and warned that attacks and abductions continued despite ongoing security operations.

Ahmed Ibn Muhammed, Chairman of the State Intervention Committee on the Woro and Nuku attacks, urged the Federal Government to accord the Woro victims the same level of attention given to victims of similar attacks in other parts of the country.

He also blamed poor road infrastructure for slowing security responses during emergencies.

Representing women in the community, Hajia Hauwa Mohammed said fear had gripped Kaiama since the Woro attack, as kidnappings and killings continued across nearby communities.

Responding to the protesters, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Afiz Nafiu, assured residents that security agencies had not abandoned efforts to rescue the abducted victims.

“The security agencies are not sleeping over the Woro case. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the victims return safely. We urge everyone to remain peaceful as these efforts continue,” the police officer said.