‎By Ahmed Akanbi

‎A prominent Islamic scholar, Dr Haruna Sanusi Lafiagi, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to rescue 176 women and children abducted from Woro and nearby communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State since February 2026.

‎In a Facebook post, Lafiagi congratulated the Federal Government and security agencies for securing the release of pupils and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State, describing it as heartwarming.

‎He, however, urged the President not to overlook victims of the February attacks in Kwara North, insisting they deserve the same urgency and attention.

‎”Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, I join millions of well-meaning Nigerians to celebrate the successful rescue of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers.

‎”As we wait to hear the details of what truly transpired, and what price the government or the abductors paid for this rescue mission, please, sir, I want to remind you of the Woro 176 women and children who have been in captivity since February,” he wrote.

‎The cleric stressed that the captives from Woro and other communities in Kwara North “equally deserve to be rescued and reunited with their families and loved ones.”

‎”We can’t afford to have Chibok/Dapchi 2.0,” Lafiagi warned, referencing the mass abductions in Borno and Yobe States that drew global condemnation.

‎The appeal comes months after suspected Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits invaded Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area on February 3, 2026.

‎Community leaders said the attack left over 160 residents dead in which the gunmen also razed homes and businesses before fleeing into the forest with hundreds of captives, mostly women and children.

‎Days after the raid, the terrorists released a video showing 176 abducted women and children, triggering widespread outrage and demands for government intervention.

‎Following the attacks, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the killings while President Tinubu also directed the deployment of additional military personnel to strengthen security operations in the affected communities.

‎Lafiagi said the successful rescue in Oyo proves that government action works, and urged the same commitment for Kwara victims who have spent nearly five months in captivity.

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