Kwara kidnap victims rescued in Niger brought to Ilorin, to meet Gov Abdulrazaq

By Stephen Oladele

Rescued kidnap victims of the banditry attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have arrived in Ilorin, the state capital.

The kidnap victims had been rescued in New Bussa forest in Niger state by security agents through a coordinated operation involving the military, the Department of State Security (DSS) and police force.

They were rescued alongside the victims abducted by the bandits in Niger state 

They were brought to Ilorin after they and their Niger State colleagues had been given first aid treatment at the Wawa military cantonment at New Bussa area of Niger state.

The rescued victims were received at the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Sobi Barracks, before being moved to a secure location where they are expected to undergo medical checks, counselling and other support services.

They had been kidnapped during the February 3 invasion of Woro community by heavily armed bandits who reportedly killed scores of people before whisking the kidnappee victims who are over 170 and who are mostly women and children into the forest.

It is learnt that the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, would formally receive them after security agencies complete verification to determine the exact number of those rescued and conclude other post-rescue procedures.

Meanwhile the Kaiama Development Association (KDA) has  appealled to the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama.

National Chairman of the association, Yakubu Saliu, who made the appeal said that inadequacy in the prescence of security personnel in their local government area has left communities in the area exposed to repeated attacks.

Saliu while lamenting that the security personnel currently serving the area are overstretched and unable to respond promptly to emergencies assured that the communities would provide necessary support for smooth taking off of the military formation once established.

“The Federal Government is working towards establishing a Nigerian Army battalion in our community. As a community, we are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations.

“If the Federal Government can expedite the establishment of the military base, we are ready to provide every necessary support to ensure its smooth take-off. Once the battalion is operational, security response will be faster, and we believe it will go a long way in preventing similar attacks from happening again,” he stated.

Salihu further appealed to federal and state authorities to rehabilitate the road network in  the Kaiama area, saying poor roads continue to hinder security operations and socio-economic development.