Residents of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State on Friday staged a peaceful protest demanding the immediate release of 176 people from Woro community who have been in captivity for 171 days.
The protesters, comprising men, women, youths and children, expressed frustration over what they described as prolonged silence on rescue efforts.
Addressing the crowd, the President of the Kaiama Development Association, Alhaji Salihu Yakubu, said the victims were abducted on February 3 during an attack on Woro community.
He alleged that over 300 people lost their lives in the attack, while 176 others, including women, children and men, were taken away.
Yakubu lamented the absence of government presence in the area and called for urgent intervention.
“Woro community was attacked in February and 176 people were taken away. There has been no update on their whereabouts. We are calling on the government to come to our rescue and bring back our children, wives and husbands. Enough is enough,” he said.
Also speaking, the Village Head of Woro community, Alhaji Umar Bio-Salihu, said the community was yet to recover from the trauma. He added that other communities including Nuku, Tenebo, Kemaanji and Maje have also suffered attacks by suspected bandits.
“The government acted swiftly in similar incidents in other parts of the country. We appeal for the same commitment to securing the release of our people. We are Nigerians. Please rescue our people and reunite them with their families,” he pleaded.
One of the protesters, Mrs. Awwal Mohammed, said insecurity has crippled farming and trading in the area, leaving residents unable to access farms and markets.
Responding to the protest, the spokesperson for Kaiama Local Government, Mr. Suleiman Tanko, assured residents that the council chairman and the Kwara State Government were working to secure the release of the victims.
The Convener of the protest, Mr. Abdulhammeed Abubakar, described the demonstration as a wake-up call to authorities to act fast.
The protesters marched from Kaiama Roundabout through the Emir’s Palace and Kaiama Police Station to the Local Government Secretariat.
