13 Still Missing as 163 Regain Freedom After Kwara Abduction

Thirteen residents abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State remain missing, even though 163 others have been released after spending nearly six months in captivity.

The National Chairman of the Kaiama Development Association (KDA), Yakubu Salihu, disclosed that 176 women and children were kidnapped during the attack, but only 163 have regained their freedom. He questioned the whereabouts of the remaining 13 victims, saying their fate is still unknown.
The attack on Woro community reportedly claimed more than 100 lives before armed bandits abducted scores of residents, most of them women and children. Salihu also revealed that some of the women gave birth while in captivity, describing the situation as a painful reflection of the trauma they endured during the six-month ordeal.
According to him, the freed victims are currently in neighbouring Niger State and are expected back in Kwara on or before Saturday. He said plans have been made to provide them with medical care, rehabilitation and other support to help them reintegrate into their communities.
Salihu renewed the community’s appeal to the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama, noting that the limited number of security personnel in the area is overstretched and unable to respond effectively to emergencies.
He said the community is prepared to provide land and all necessary support to ensure the military base becomes operational as quickly as possible, expressing confidence that a permanent military presence would strengthen security and help prevent future attacks.
The KDA chairman also urged the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to rehabilitate the deteriorating road network in Kaiama, saying poor roads continue to hamper security operations and slow socio-economic development across the area.