Relief and jubilation swept across Kwara State on Wednesday as the state government announced the release of 176 residents abducted during the deadly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area on February 3, 2026, after spending six months in captivity.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, who disclosed that the victims regained their freedom following sustained security operations.
The Kwara State Government also announced the development on its official Facebook page, expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies and all stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the successful rescue.
The government stated:
“Alhamdulillah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone involved in this great achievement. We are grateful!”
While celebrating the release of the abductees, the government said details of the rescue operation, including the condition of the freed victims, would be provided in due course.
The victims were kidnapped when heavily armed attackers, believed to be Boko Haram-linked terrorists, launched coordinated assaults on the Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The attacks, which lasted for several hours, reportedly claimed the lives of more than 200 residents, left many others injured, destroyed homes and businesses, and displaced hundreds of people, making it one of the deadliest security incidents in Kwara State’s history.
Before the rescue, families of the abducted residents repeatedly appealed to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release. Community members also staged peaceful protests after months of waiting, while reports indicated that residents raised more than ₦155 million in an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate the victims’ freedom.
The successful rescue of the 176 abducted residents has brought an end to six months of uncertainty and anguish for their families and affected communities.
Authorities are expected to provide further details on the rescue operation, the victims’ health status and plans for their rehabilitation.
