Oyo kidnap: Kwara PDP asks  Abdulrazaq to emulate Makinde

By Ola Taiwo

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to take a cue from Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, whom it said showed true leadership in ensuring release of the kinapped pupils and teachers in his state.

The party, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Olusegun Adewara, attributed the rescue to sustained public advocacy, media pressure and what it described as responsive leadership by Governor Makinde.

The PDP congratulated the Oyo State Government, security agencies and residents on the release of the abducted victims after 56 days in captivity..

 “The successful rescue in Oyo did not happen by accident. It happened because Governor Seyi Makinde showed true leadership, made the crisis his top priority, and worked closely with the Federal Government and security agencies,” the party stated.

The PDP alleged that Governor Abdulazaq had failed to prioritise the rescue of victims abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.

The party claimed that about 179 abducted residents, including pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, had remained in captivity for more than five months, while many communities continued to face threats from kidnappers and bandits.

“Our party is worried that while Oyo people celebrate the return of their citizens, Kwara State is left mourning under a government that simply does not care. We cannot help but compare the Oyo success to the situation in Kwara, where about 176 innocent people abducted in Woro have been left in the kidnappers’ den since February 3, 2026,” the PDP stated.

The party  accused the Kwara government of responding harshly to citizens who criticised its handling of insecurity, citing the alleged assault of women who protested over the abduction of their relatives.

The PDP argued that Governor Makinde demonstrated leadership by engaging with protesters and accepting criticism instead of treating concerned

It praised the media, civil society organisations and activist VeryDarkMan, alongside residents of Oyo State, for sustaining pressure that it said contributed to the rescue operation.

The PDP called on Governor AbdulRazaq to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity and appealed to journalists, civil society organisations, academics and other stakeholders in Kwara to continue demanding action on the Woro abductions and other unresolved kidnapping cases across the state.