After six months in captivity, 176 persons from Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State who were abducted by terrorists suspdcted to be linked to Boko Haram have regained their freedom.
The release of the victims was announced by Kwara State Government on Wednesday via a post on its official Facebook page. It did not give details of circumstances leading to their release.
The post read: “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, comprising women and children were taken away as hostages on February 3, 2026 during a deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Governments of Kwara State.
The terrorist attack, believed to be one of the deadliest in the history of Kwara State, reportedly claimed more than 200 lives and left several others injured while homes and businesses were destroyed.
During the coordinated attack which reportedly lasted several hours residents were forced to flee their homes in droves and took refuge in other communities.
It was also said that local vigilantes who had attempted to repel the attackers were apparently overwhelmed, with some of them said to have been trapped and burnt inside their office.
Meanwhile, the release of the abducted women and children has been corroborated by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kwara State Chapter, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi.
He was quoted in THISDAY to have said: “Yes, it is true that they have been released but I can’t tell for now whether ransom was paid or not.
“We are very grateful to the Federal Government and security forces on the release of the 176 victims of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state”.
Danladi, who is also the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government said that the freed “victims, with others, are currently in Wawa Cantonment in Niger State awaiting transportation to Kwara State”.
He said that the released abductees “are currently in Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State because our people are not the only victims released”.
The ALGON Chairman said that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government was arranging for vehicles that would bring the freed abductees to Ilorin, the state capital.
“So I thank Almighty God that their release happened in my time, and I’m very happy about this,” he gushed.
The member representing Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, also reportedly confirmed the welcome development.
He said: “Yes, the Woro kidnap victims have been released. I’m very, very excited about this development.
“We give thanks to President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and our security operatives,” the lawmaker said.
