Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has confirmed the rescue of 163 residents abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, following a coordinated security operation in the Kainji Lake National Park forest.
According to the governor, the operation also secured the freedom of about 145 kidnap victims from neighbouring Niger State, bringing the total number of rescued victims to more than 300. He described the mission as a major success in ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and kidnapping in the region.
AbdulRazaq announced the development in a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday, attributing the successful operation to the collaboration of security agencies and the support of President Bola Tinubu.
“I am pleased to announce the freedom of 163 kidnap victims abducted during the unfortunate terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“The victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest following concerted efforts by our security forces.
“I thank His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the huge role he played in securing the freedom of our compatriots from captivity.
“About 145 persons abducted in Niger were also rescued in the same operation. We are grateful to Mr. President for his strong interest and support for the rescue operation,” the governor said.
He also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as their professionalism and coordinated efforts throughout the rescue exercise.
“We are very proud of our security forces and we will continue to support their efforts to protect the lives of our people,” AbdulRazaq added.
The governor explained that the freed victims had not yet returned to their communities, as they were undergoing medical examinations and receiving psychosocial care at a federal health facility before being reunited with their families.
“The rescued citizens are currently receiving comprehensive medical care and support at a federal health facility. We will be glad to receive them in the state upon the completion of their medical procedures so that we can also offer necessary support to ease their reintegration process.
“I urge residents of Kwara to continue to share useful security information with the authorities to forestall these criminal attacks and make our communities safer and more peaceful.
“I am very hopeful that more successes lie ahead in our war against the terrorists. We will also continue to collaborate with our security to prevent the recurrence of this ugly trend,” he said.
The announcement confirms the release of victims who had spent about six months in captivity after terrorists attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in one of Kwara State’s deadliest security incidents in recent years.
The February 3 invasion reportedly claimed more than 200 lives, displaced hundreds of residents, destroyed homes and businesses, and left many villagers in captivity after the attackers overran the communities.
Before Thursday’s confirmation, reports had widely estimated that about 176 residents were abducted, based on videos released by the attackers showing captives in the forest.
However, the latest figure from the governor follows remarks by the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, who recently stated that security agencies never officially confirmed the reported figure of 176 abductees.
Speaking last Friday, Adekimi maintained that the number did not originate from any security agency and cautioned against relying on figures circulated by criminal groups.
The rescue announcement also came after the Kwara State Government explained that it deliberately withheld information about the operation to prevent compromising efforts to free the captives.
State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, had said on Wednesday that the government maintained silence because of the sensitive nature of the operation while working closely with security agencies until the victims were safely rescued.
