The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday confirmed that 163 residents abducted during the February 3, 2026 terrorist invasion of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation deep inside the Kainji Lake National Park forest.
The governor, who announced the development in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, said the operation also led to the rescue of about 145 kidnap victims from neighbouring Niger State, describing the mission as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
AbdulRazaq credited the success of the operation to the combined efforts of security agencies and acknowledged the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, whom he said played a significant role in ensuring the victims were freed.
“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 further applauded 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, resilience and strategic collaboration throughout the rescue mission.
“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 disclosed that the rescued victims were yet to return home, explaining that they were currently undergoing medical evaluation and receiving psychosocial support 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 officially confirmed the release of dozens of victims held for about six months after the coordinated assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities, an attack regarded as one of the bloodiest security incidents in Kwara State in recent years.
The February 3 attack reportedly left more than 200 people dead, displaced hundreds of residents, razed homes and businesses, and forced scores of villagers into captivity after terrorists overran the communities.
Before Thursday’s announcement, widely circulated reports had put the number of abducted residents at about 176, following videos released by the attackers showing dozens of captives in the forest.
However, the latest figure announced by the governor came days after the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, questioned the widely reported number, saying security agencies had never officially verified that 176 persons were kidnapped during the attack.
Speaking last Friday, Adekimi said the figure did not originate from any security agency and warned against relying on casualty or abduction figures circulated by criminal groups.
The governor’s confirmation of the rescue also followed the Kwara State Government’s insistence that it kept silent throughout the operation to avoid jeopardising efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.
The State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, had said on Wednesday that the government refrained from disclosing details of the rescue efforts because of the sensitive nature of the operation, while assuring that officials had continued working with security agencies behind the scenes until the victims regained their freedom.