Kwara police dismiss claims of 176 abductees in Woro community attack

By Ahmed Olayinka

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, has dismissed reports claiming that 176 residents were abducted during the terrorist attack on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the police commissioner said the figure being circulated did not emanate from any official security agency, stressing that while several residents were abducted during the attack, there was no verified record confirming that 176 persons were taken away.

His clarification comes amid renewed appeals by relatives of victims, community leaders and traditional rulers who recently called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, claiming that about 176 residents remained in captivity nearly six months after the attack.

Responding to questions on the reported number of abductees, CP Adekimi said security agencies could not authenticate the figure.

“I honestly do not know the source of the claim that 176 people were kidnapped from Woro Community because it did not originate from any security agency or security operative,” he said.

According to the police commissioner, the figure appeared to have emerged after a video surfaced showing a group of abducted persons who were allegedly made by their captors to claim they numbered over one hundred.

He noted that residents of Kaiama who watched the video were only able to identify a few of those shown.

“People from Kaiama told us they could identify only about 10 persons in the video, including the wife of the traditional ruler.

Based on that, I cannot confirm that 176 people were actually abducted from Woro,” Adekimi stated.

The commissioner maintained that the police would not rely on figures allegedly circulated by the kidnappers, emphasizing that ongoing security operations remain focused on rescuing all victims still in captivity.

“The story of 176 abductees is one being peddled by the bandits themselves and I cannot confirm it.

What I can assure the public is that concerted efforts are ongoing to secure the release of everyone currently being held by the criminals,” he added.

CP Adekimi also revealed that recent security operations in neighbouring Oyo State had shifted attention to suspected terrorist hideouts around Borgu, where intelligence reports indicate that extremist groups, including Lakurawa, Ansaru and Boko Haram, have established operational bases.

According to him, the terrorist groups are not based in Kwara State but operate from the Borgu axis, where security agencies have intensified coordinated operations leading to the arrest of several suspects.

The police chief reiterated the Command’s commitment to working with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks and secure the release of all kidnapped victims.

The renewed clarification follows growing calls by affected communities for a large-scale rescue operation after reported negotiations with the kidnappers failed to secure the victims’ freedom.

The Woro attack occurred on February 3, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists riding motorcycles invaded Woro and neighbouring communities, killing several residents, burning houses and shops and abducting many others before security operatives arrived.

Relatives of the victims have alleged that the affected communities raised over ₦155 million in an attempt to secure the release of the captives, but claimed the terrorists rejected the ransom and threatened to execute some hostages while forcing some female captives into marriage.

Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Abdul Ibrahim said all available efforts, including negotiations and public appeals, had failed to secure the release of any of the victims.

Similarly, the Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, appealed to security agencies to replicate the successful rescue operations recently carried out in neighbouring Oyo State to free those still being held in terrorist camps.