163 Freed Kwara Abductees Reunite With Families

The 163 rescued victims of the kidnapping incident that occurred in February 2026 in Woro community, Kaiama local government area of Kwara State have been reunited with their families.

The victims rescued by a joint security forces on August 4, 2026 were yesterday taken back to their ancestral communities in Kaiama local government areas from Ilorin, the state capital, where they had been receiving medical attention since the time they were freed from captivity.

The chief press secretary to the chairman of Kaiama local government area, M.D Baniya announced the return of the victims to Kaiama in a statement last night.

“In a remarkable show of leadership and community unity, the freed Woro abductees have finally returned to Kaiama after more than two weeks of medical recovery in Ilorin. Their journey home was not a solitary one, it was a royal and official procession, led by the executive chairman of Kaiama local government, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, who personally saw to it that every victim was safely escorted back.

“Standing firmly with him were two towering figures of the emirate: His Royal Highness, Alh. Omar Shehu Muazu, the Bagidi Kiyaru IV and Emir of Kaiama, whose royal presence blessed the homecoming, and Hon. Ahmed Ibn Mohammad, the Kiwazi of Wojibe, whose commitment to the welfare of his people was unmistakable. Together, this distinguished entourage traveled all the way from Ilorin to Kaiama, ensuring that the victims, many still frail but hopeful arrived with dignity and honor.

“As the delegation rolled into town, the air was thick with emotion, tears of joy, prayers of gratitude, and cheers of relief from families who had waited weeks in agony. Today( Thursday), the nightmare ends. Tomorrow, healing begins. And in Kaiama, the people have shown once again that no one walks alone when community, tradition, and leadership stand as one,” the statement said.

Baniya said the Kaiama council boss, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi thanked  President Bola Tinubu and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for swift their intervention and commitment to the safety of the victims.

He also thanked the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu  for his relentless advocacy and solidarity.

The chairman thanked the Emir of Kaiama, Alh. Omar Shehu Muazu and members of the Kaiama Emirate Council, for their prayers, guidance, and moral support during the trying period.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the victims were abducted in February this year by gunmen who also allegedly killed about 200 residents  and set residential houses and shops on fire.