13 abducted Woro residents still missing despite rescue, Kaiama association reveals
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The National Chairman of the Kaiama Development Association, Alhaji Yakubu Salihu, says 13 of the 176 residents abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State remain missing despite the recent rescue operation.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Salihu said records available to the association show that 163 victims have returned, leaving 13 persons still unaccounted for, and appealed to security agencies to sustain efforts to locate them.
He also disclosed that some of the rescued women became pregnant during their six months in captivity, while others gave birth before regaining their freedom.
Meanwhile, Salihu said the Kwara State Government had concluded arrangements to transport the rescued victims from Niger State to Ilorin after the completion of health checks, security screening and other administrative procedures, expressing hope that they would arrive on Friday.
He urged the Kwara State Government to rehabilitate the roads leading to Kaiama, describing them as deplorable and saying the poor condition of the routes continues to hinder movement and development in the area.
Salihu also appealed to the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama, saying the community is ready to provide land and every necessary support to facilitate the deployment of troops.
While commending the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release, he maintained that inadequate security personnel remain a major challenge and stressed that a permanent military presence would improve surveillance, speed up emergency response and deter criminal activities.
The rescued victims are expected to return to Kwara after completing the ongoing procedures in Niger State, where Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is expected to receive them, bringing relief to families and residents of Woro following the mass abduction that heightened insecurity concerns in Kwara North.
