Gov Abdulrazaq receives Kaiama rescued kidnap victims, praises Tinubu’s intervention

By Ola Taiwo

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has received rescued kidnap victims abducted by bandits in Woro community, Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were received in Ilorin on Friday by the governor who restated gratitude to the President Bola Tinubu for the rescue of the people.

Also in attendance at the governor’s reception of the victims were the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume; Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi; State Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr Michael Oganwu; Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi; and the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umaru.

The victims who were kidnapped in February  had been rescued during the week at New Bussa Forest in Niger State.

Of the 163 rescued victims, 46 were said to be receiving medical attention at a health facility as part of efforts to facilitate their recovery from the ordeal.

Abdulrazaq also praised God for the release of the victims saying though it was regrettable that they were kidnapped gratitude is given to God that efforts to secure their release were not in vain.

“This is one gathering that is filled with mixed feelings. It is regrettable that the whole incident happened at all, but at the same time, we are grateful to God that our collective efforts have paid off. Everyone has been rescued alive,” he stated.

The governor assured the victims and the Woro community that his administration would continue to provide necessary support, including medical care, while working with security agencies to prevent a recurrence.

“I have since directed that appropriate medical attention be extended to anyone and everyone to ensure their well-being,” he said.

Abdulrazaq commended President Tinubu for responding promptly to his appeals for federal intervention in tackling insecurity in parts of Kwara.

“On behalf of the people of Kwara State, I extend our profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. We are truly grateful to him because he has paid special attention to Kwara. Each time I went to him to seek his assistance, he swiftly responded,” he stated.

The governor said the president’s recent security interventions, including the deployment of additional military formations, would provide a stronger security shield for the state.

This will be a great security shield on Kwara. We truly appreciate his efforts in ensuring that this does not happen again,”  he stated.

He said that his engagements with the President over insecurity had contributed to the establishment of Operation Savannah Shield, the recruitment of 2,600 forest guards and the creation of additional Nigerian Army battalions in the state.

Abdulrazaq assured that the state government would continue to do everything within its capacity to protect the lives and property of residents.

Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Danladi, described the return of the abductees as a moment of relief for the people of the area, while commending the governor for his sustained efforts and investment in security.

“We thank our vibrant security agencies who are equally happy today to see that our people are rescued. We pray that we will not witness this kind of incident in our communities in Kwara again,” he said.

The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umaru, also commended Abdulrazaq for standing by the community throughout the crisis and for his efforts towards securing the release of the victims.

The monarch expressed optimism that the strengthening of military presence in Kwara would help prevent a repeat of the attack.