By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NO FEWER than 176 residents abducted during the February 3, 2026, attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have regained their freedom, the Kwara State Government announced on Wednesday.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the announcement came about six months after the mass abduction that followed the attack on the two rural communities.
The state government made the disclosure in a Facebook post by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, as well as through the state government’s official Facebook page.
Confirming the development, the government said security forces rescued the victims and expressed appreciation to everyone involved in securing their release.
The statement read: “Kwara State Government is happy to share that the security forces have rescued the people who were kidnapped at Woro community in Kwara North.”
It added: “Alihamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!”
The victims were kidnapped when suspected Boko Haram linked extremists stormed Woro and Nuku on motorcycles in a coordinated assault that reportedly lasted several hours.
Also, the attack reportedly left more than 200 people dead, injured several others, destroyed homes and businesses, and displaced many residents.
Local vigilantes who attempted to repel the attackers were reportedly overwhelmed, with some said to have been trapped and burnt inside their office.
In April, a video circulated on social media showing one of the abducted women appealing to the Kwara State Government to intensify efforts to secure their release.
Speaking from captivity while surrounded by fellow victims, she said the group included pregnant women, young children and sick persons.
“We are from Woro in Kaiama local government. We were taken on February 3, and today is April 8. This is the last opportunity they have given us,” she said.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that suspected terrorists were allegedly seen parading 176 abducted victims, including women, children and a nursing mother allegedly seized from Woro community.
In a footage, three women, including a nursing mother, said they were abducted in Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
One of the suspected terrorists claimed the Kwara State Government misrepresented the number of abducted persons.
“The Kwara State government lied to Nigeria and to the whole world,” the suspected terrorist said, insisting that 176 people were in their custody.
However, the Kwara State Government did not disclose details of how the rescue was carried out or whether any suspects were arrested.
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