By Hosea Parah
Mixed feelings greeted the return of 163 residents that were abducted from the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State to reunite with their families on Thursday, after spending more than two weeks receiving medical care in Ilorin.
According to a statement issued by MD Baniya, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the victims were escorted back to Kaiama by the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Danladi; the Emir of Kaiama, Omar Shehu Muazu; and the Kiwazi of Wojibe, Ahmed Ibn Mohammad.
The statement said the return of the freed abductees was marked by emotional scenes as family members, who had waited anxiously for their loved ones, welcomed them back to the community.
It added that the local government chairman personally ensured that the victims were safely conveyed from Ilorin to Kaiama following their period of medical care.
Danladi thanked President Bola Tinubu and AbdulRazaq, he for their roles and support in efforts that led to the freedom of the abductees.
“I express our profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly concern and unwavering support,” Danladi was quoted as saying.
“We are equally grateful to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his intervention and commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every citizen of Kwara State.”
The council chairman also acknowledged the support of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, describing his advocacy and solidarity during the period as significant.
“We appreciate the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, for his relentless advocacy and solidarity throughout the ordeal,” he said.
Danladi also commended the Emir of Kaiama and the Kaiama Emirate Council for their prayers, guidance and moral support while the victims were in captivity.
He further thanked stakeholders in the area, the Kaiama Development Association, as well as various unions and indigenes of the community at home and in the diaspora for their prayers and contributions.
“The unity and collective efforts of our people formed the bedrock upon which this victory was built,” the chairman added.
The National Chairman of Kaiama Development Association, Yakubu Salihu, however, lamented that only 163 of the 176 Woro kidnap women and children victims were released.
According to him: “176 were taken away, only 163 were released, thus short of 13 people,” asking: “where are others?”
Salihu told newsmen on Thursday that some pregnant women actually delivered babies within the six months in captivity.
He disclosed that the freed Kwarans, presently in Niger State would be taken back to Kwara on or before Saturday for proper health attention and for resettlement.
He explained that the limited number of security operatives currently serving the area had made it difficult to respond effectively to emergencies, stressing that a permanent military formation would strengthen security surveillance, improve response time and serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.
According to him, inadequate security personnel remained one of the major challenges confronting the area, leaving communities exposed to criminal attacks.
“The Federal Government is making efforts to establish a battalion of the Nigerian Army here. As a community, we are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations,” he said.
He appreciated the federal government for approving military base in the area: “so far, we have seen the government making efforts. The Federal Government is working towards establishing a Nigerian Army battalion in our community.
“The major challenge we have faced is the absence of adequate security personnel. The few security agencies currently operating in the area are not enough to effectively protect the community.
“If the Federal Government can expedite the establishment of the military base, we are ready to provide every necessary support to ensure its smooth take-off. Once the battalion is operational, security response will be faster, and we believe it will go a long way in preventing similar attacks from happening again.
“That is why we are appealing to the Federal Government to treat this as a matter of urgency and ensure the project is completed without delay.
“We are already making plans to provide a suitable location where the soldiers can be stationed so they can begin operations as soon as possible,” he expressed.
He said: “a permanent military presence is essential to prevent future attacks and restore public confidence.”
Salihu lamented the poor road network in the local government, urging the government to the rescue as he listed that four roads link the Kaiama local government.
Recall that armed kidnappers, February 3, this year stormed Woro community in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State, killing over 100 people and abducted 176.
The 163 victims, who were among residents abducted, later regained their freedom, following a coordinated security operation in the Kainji Lake National Park forest.
The victims were subsequently taken to Ilorin for medical attention before their eventual return to Kaiama and reunion with their families.