Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has received 163 victims rescued from the terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
The victims were received by the governor in Ilorin on Friday, with 46 still undergoing medical treatment at a health facility, according to the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mashood Agboola.
The gathering was attended by 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, Michael Oganwu; Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi; and the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umaru.
AbdulRazaq described the attack as regrettable but said the safe return of the victims showed that the combined efforts of the government and security agencies had yielded results.
“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 said.
The governor disclosed that he had directed the provision of medical care for the victims and pledged continued government support for the affected Woro community.
“I have since directed that appropriate medical attention be extended to anyone and everyone to ensure their well-being. Up till this time our government has extended various forms of support to the Woro community to aid their building efforts,” AbdulRazaq said.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for responding to repeated appeals for federal support to address security concerns across Kwara State.
“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,” the governor said.
AbdulRazaq said the President’s interventions had strengthened the state’s security architecture, citing Operation Savannah Shield, the recruitment of 2,600 forest guards and the creation of additional Nigerian Army battalions.
He said the state government would continue working with security agencies to protect residents and their property.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, expressed relief over the victims’ return and thanked the governor for his sustained efforts during the crisis.
“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,” Danladi said.
The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umaru, also praised AbdulRazaq for standing by the community during the crisis and working towards the release of the abducted residents.
He expressed hope that the establishment of new military formations would prevent a recurrence of the attack in the state.