One hundred and sixty-three residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have returned home and reunited with their families after spending more than two weeks undergoing medical treatment in Ilorin.
The abductees were taken back to Kaiama on Thursday under the supervision of the local government chairman, Abubakar Danladi, alongside the Emir of Kaiama, Omar Shehu Muazu, and the Kiwazi of Wojibe, Ahmed Ibn Mohammad.
The development, announced in a statement by the chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, MD Baniya, was greeted with emotional reunions as relatives welcomed family members they had anxiously awaited.
According to the statement, Danladi personally coordinated the victims’ transportation from Ilorin to Kaiama to ensure their safe return after receiving medical attention.
The chairman expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for their support and contributions towards securing the victims’ freedom.
“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 well-being of every citizen of Kwara State.”
Danladi also praised the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, for his advocacy and support throughout the period of the victims’ captivity.
“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.
He equally commended the Emir of Kaiama and the Kaiama Emirate Council for providing prayers, guidance and moral support while the victims remained in captivity.
The chairman extended his appreciation to other stakeholders, including the Kaiama Development Association, various unions and indigenes of the community both within Nigeria and abroad, 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 163 residents were among those abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro community. They were later freed during a coordinated security operation in the forest area of Kainji Lake National Park and subsequently transported to Ilorin for medical care.
Their return to Kaiama followed the completion of their treatment.
Kwara Monarch Regains Freedom
Meanwhile, the Onigbesi of Igbesi Land, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, has been released after spending several days in the custody of armed abductors.
The traditional ruler, who was kidnapped from Igbesi community in Oke-Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area of the state, regained his freedom on Thursday following a rescue operation involving security personnel and local vigilantes.
The monarch’s son, who identified himself simply as Olasunkanmi, confirmed the release in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, saying his father was freed between noon and 1pm.
“He has been released. He regained his freedom between 12 noon and 1pm on Thursday.
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“His release was made possible through the combined efforts of the National Forest Guards, the Nigerian Army personnel stationed in Esie town and our local vigilantes,” he said.
According to Olasunkanmi, information supplied by members of the local vigilante group enabled the security personnel to respond quickly and launch the operation against the abductors.
“The local vigilantes provided useful information to the army and the forest guards, and they acted swiftly on it. They did a very great job during the rescue operation,” he added.
He, however, said one of the vigilantes was wounded by gunfire during the operation and was receiving treatment at a hospital.
“Unfortunately, one of the local vigilantes was shot during the operation and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital,” he said.
Olasunkanmi also thanked the Chairman of Isin Local Government Area for supporting efforts aimed at securing his father’s release.
Earlier, community stakeholders had announced the monarch’s freedom and stated that no ransom was paid.
“We give all glory to God and appreciate the good people of Igbominaland for their support,” the statement read.
“His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Oyinloye, the Onigbesi of Igbesi, has regained his freedom. No ransom was paid.”
The stakeholders further appreciated security personnel and residents who supported the community with prayers and other forms of assistance during the period of the monarch’s captivity.
We sincerely appreciate the efforts of our gallant security operatives and all well-meaning individuals who stood with us in prayers and support during this trying period,” it added.
The monarch’s release occurred five days after his abduction. The incident happened at about 11pm on Saturday when armed men reportedly invaded Igbesi community and took the traditional ruler to an undisclosed location.
Attempts to obtain further information from the Kwara State Police Command regarding the monarch’s release were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had not been answered as of press time.