FG Urged to Intensify Rescue Efforts for Abducted Kaiama Victims
The Kaiama Development Association (KDA) and the Batombu Unity Development Initiative (BUDIA) have called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of more than 170 residents abducted during the February attack on Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. The groups made the appeal at a joint press […]
The Kaiama Development Association (KDA) and the Batombu Unity Development Initiative (BUDIA) have called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of more than 170 residents abducted during the February attack on Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The groups made the appeal at a joint press conference in Abuja, warning that the worsening security situation across Borgu land could spiral into a full-blown insurgency if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Prof. Umaru Semo, said the February 3 attack on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities was among the deadliest in the region, claiming that more than 200 people were killed while over 170 others—including women, nursing mothers and children—were kidnapped.
He also appealed for the rescue of the wives and children of the Emir of Yashikira, who were abducted in a separate attack.
“The continued captivity of these victims is deeply troubling. We urge the Federal Government and security agencies to step up rescue operations and restore confidence among residents,” Semo said.
The groups also called for increased deployment of security personnel across Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of Kwara State, as well as neighbouring Borgu and Agwara LGAs in Niger State and parts of southern Kebbi State, to prevent further attacks.
Also speaking, the Country Director of CARE International in Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, urged the Federal Government to adopt long-term measures to address the deteriorating security situation in the Borgu axis.
Abdu alleged that Vice President Kashim Shettima had planned to visit Woro Community after the attack to assess the humanitarian situation firsthand but was unable to do so.
He claimed the Kwara State Government instead arranged for stakeholders from Kaiama to meet the Vice President in Ilorin.
He further alleged that the trip was shelved to avoid exposing the poor condition of the Ilorin-Woro road and what he described as years of infrastructural neglect in northern Kwara.
Members of the two associations also questioned why security agencies were able to secure the swift rescue of kidnapped victims in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, while, according to them, little progress has been made in rescuing those abducted in Woro and Yashikira.
The groups urged the Federal Government to give the same level of urgency to the rescue of victims in Kwara and to improve security and infrastructure across the Borgu region.