Kwara Police Commissioner Dismisses Report of 176 Abductions

The Kwara State Police Commissioner, Ojo Adekimi, has come out to refute claims that a large number of residents were taken by terrorists during an attack on Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area. Speaking to journalists in Ilorin, Adekimi stated that the figure of 176 abductions did not come from any official security records. This clarification comes after relatives of the victims and community leaders appealed to the government and security agencies to step up rescue efforts, saying that many people were still being held captive nearly six months after the attack. The police commissioner noted that while it was true that several residents were taken away by the attackers, there was no confirmation of the exact number. He attributed the circulation of the 176 figure to a video showing a group of abducted persons claiming to be over a hundred in number. However, Adekimi pointed out that residents of Kaiama who watched the footage were only able to identify a handful of the victims, including the wife of the traditional ruler. As a result, he could not confirm the figure of 176 abductions. The commissioner emphasized that the police would not rely on figures allegedly provided by the terrorists and would instead focus on rescuing those still in captivity. Recent security operations in neighboring Oyo State have shifted attention to suspected terrorist enclaves around Borgu, where intelligence suggests that extremist groups have established bases. The police chief's comments followed renewed calls by affected communities for a large-scale rescue operation after negotiations with the kidnappers reportedly collapsed. The attack on Woro occurred on February 3, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists invaded the community, killing residents, burning homes and shops, and abducting many others. Relatives of the abducted victims alleged that the communities raised a significant amount of money in an effort to secure the release of the captives but claimed that the terrorists rejected the money and threatened to execute some hostages. Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Abdul Ibrahim said that residents had exhausted all available options without securing the release of a single victim. The Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, urged security agencies to replicate the rescue operations recently carried out in neighboring Oyo State, arguing that those still being held in terrorists' camps in Kaiama should not be abandoned.