176 Abducted Kwara Women, Children Regain Freedom After Six Months

Confirming the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, said security operatives successfully rescued the victims.

The 176 women and children abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have regained their freedom after spending six months in captivity.

The victims were released on Wednesday, ending months of uncertainty for their families and residents of the community.

Confirming the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, said security operatives successfully rescued the victims.

In a statement, Abdullateef commended the efforts of the security agencies and acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and others involved in the operation.

"The Kwara State Government is happy to announce that the security forces have rescued the people who were kidnapped from Woro community in Kwara North," the statement read.

"Kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful."

The state government, however, did not disclose details of the operation or indicate whether any suspects were arrested.

The victims were abducted in February 2026 when armed men attacked Woro community. Months later, a video surfaced showing the captives—mostly women and children, including a nursing mother—being held by armed men believed to be members of Boko Haram.

In the footage, the captives identified Woro community as the location from which they were abducted. The video showed dozens of women and children standing in rows, many appearing exhausted and wearing soiled clothing, while some of the children were partially clothed, highlighting the harsh conditions of their captivity.

The armed men also alleged in the video that the Kwara State Government had downplayed the scale of the abduction by initially reporting that between 20 and 30 people were kidnapped. They claimed that 176 victims were in their custody.

The government had not publicly responded to those claims at the time.

The release of the victims marks the end of a six-month ordeal and brings relief to families who had waited anxiously for their safe return. Authorities are yet to provide further information on the circumstances surrounding the rescue or the condition of the victims.