Woro Kidnap Victims Return Home After Six Months, Kwara Govt Offers N1m Lifeline

 

ILORIN — After six months in captivity and three weeks of rehabilitation, 146 victims of the Woro community kidnapping in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara have been reunited with their families.

The victims were received amid tears of joy, dancing and drumming on Friday as residents of Woro and Kaiama trooped out to welcome their loved ones at a ceremony held at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama.

The Kwara Government also announced financial assistance to help the victims rebuild their lives, with each adult receiving N1 million, youths N500,000 and children N200,000.

The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government and Kwara State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, disclosed the details during the reception.

Danladi described the occasion as a memorable day for Woro and the entire Kaiama community, while commending President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for their roles in securing the victims’ freedom and supporting their rehabilitation.

He said the victims spent 21 days undergoing rehabilitation in Ilorin before being returned to their families.

“Adults received N1 million each, middle-aged youths received N500,000, while children received N200,000 each to support them to start again and settle well,” Danladi said.

He disclosed that 146 victims had been reunited with their families, while three others remained in hospital receiving medical treatment.

Danladi urged residents to continue supporting the returnees, stressing that their recovery from the psychological trauma of captivity would require collective efforts.

He also called on residents, traditional rulers and community leaders to regard security as a shared responsibility by supporting security agencies and promptly reporting suspicious persons and movements.

The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Saliu, described the return of the victims as “good news” for the community and called for sustained assistance to help them overcome the psychological impact of their ordeal.

Saliu commended the state government for beginning the reconstruction of shops destroyed during the attack, saying the move would help restore economic activities in the community.

He also appealed for assistance to farmers who fled Woro following repeated attacks.

“Agriculture is our mainstay. Our farmers have lost everything. The government should please support them with assistance to start again,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Government-Woro Community Intervention Committee, Mr Ahmed Ibn Ahmed, disclosed that 13 people were still being held captive and appealed for intensified efforts to secure their release.

Ahmed said more than N80 million had so far been distributed as financial support to the rescued victims.

He further urged the government to strengthen security around communities bordering the national park, alleging that criminals were exploiting the area as a hideout.

The committee chairman also appealed for the restoration of electricity to Woro and other affected communities.

For some of the returnees, the financial assistance represents an opportunity to rebuild businesses and regain their footing after months of uncertainty.

One of the victims, Mariam Ayuba, expressed gratitude for her freedom and said she planned to use the money to revive her salon business, which was badly affected by her abduction.

Another returnee, Amira Saliu, said she was overwhelmed with joy after being reunited with her family and friends following six months in captivity.

“I can’t express my feelings. I am so happy that I have lost words. I thank Almighty Allah for my safety and the governor for the support.

“I will use the money wisely and plan myself. I will try to forget the experience and move on with my life,” she said.

The Woro community was attacked on Feb. 3, with 176 people reportedly abducted. The victims were later rescued on Aug. 5 before undergoing rehabilitation in Ilorin.

The return of the 146 victims has brought relief to families and residents, although the appeal for the rescue of those still in captivity and stronger security around the affected communities remains.