176 Abducted Kwara Residents Regain Freedom After Six Months in Captivity

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, bringing an end to nearly six months of captivity.

The Kwara State Government announced the development on Wednesday, confirming that the victims, who were kidnapped during the deadly assault on the two communities, had been released. Authorities, however, did not immediately disclose the circumstances surrounding their freedom or whether any ransom was paid.

The victims were abducted when heavily armed attackers invaded the communities in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in the state this year. The incident claimed hundreds of lives, displaced residents and forced many families to flee their homes, while scores of women and children were taken away by the attackers.

Their release comes weeks after sustained public appeals by relatives, community leaders and civil society groups, who repeatedly urged the Federal and Kwara State governments to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.

In recent days, affected families had lamented the prolonged captivity of their loved ones, saying they had exhausted all available options, including community fundraising, in desperate attempts to secure their release.

The Kwara State Government expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and all stakeholders involved in the operation that led to the victims’ freedom, adding that further details would be made available in due course.

The development has sparked relief across the affected communities, where families had endured months of uncertainty following the mass abduction.

Security experts and community leaders are, however, expected to continue calling for strengthened security measures in vulnerable communities to prevent similar attacks and ensure the safety of residents across the state.