Police reject claims of 176 residents abducted in Kwara attack

Kwara State police have denied reports that 176 residents were abducted during a terrorist attack on Woro and nearby Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The claim emerged amid growing pressure from local families, community leaders, and traditional authorities demanding intensified efforts to locate and free the missing individuals. According to the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, the figure of 176 abductees does not appear in any official records and is likely a fabrication spread by the perpetrators. Ojo addressed journalists in Ilorin on Friday, stating that the number originated from unverified sources rather than formal security data. He emphasized that while multiple residents were indeed taken by the attackers, there was no official confirmation that the total number reached 176. The police commissioner attributed the circulation of the figure to a video shared online, which showed a group of abducted individuals. However, local residents who viewed the footage identified only a small number of the people depicted, including the wife of the traditional ruler. “This figure started circulating after a video surfaced showing a group of abducted persons who were made to claim they were over a hundred in number,” Ojo explained. “Residents of Kaiama said they could recognize only about 10 persons in the video.” He further noted that the police would not accept numbers provided by the attackers and would continue focusing on ongoing security operations aimed at rescuing those still held captive. The police commissioner also mentioned that the incident in question took place on February 3, 2026, when a group of heavily armed terrorists on motorcycles attacked the farming community of Woro. The attackers spent several hours killing residents, destroying property, and abducting numerous individuals before security forces intervened. Relatives of the victims later claimed that the communities raised over N155 million in an attempt to secure the release of the captives, but the terrorists refused the offer and even threatened to execute some hostages. Community representatives and traditional leaders had previously called on federal authorities and security agencies to launch a broader search for the missing individuals, citing the failure of earlier negotiation attempts. Ojo confirmed that these appeals led to renewed discussions within the police department regarding the need for increased operational activity in the region. In addition to the Woro attack, Ojo revealed that recent security operations in neighboring Oyo State have redirected focus toward suspected terrorist hideouts near Borgu. Intelligence reports suggest that extremist groups such as Lakurawa, Ansaru, and Boko Haram have established bases in the area. “Security efforts have been concentrated around Borgu because intelligence indicates that these groups are based there,” he said. “These terrorists are not domiciled in Kwara State. Their base is in Borgu Local Government Area and the surrounding areas.” Ojo highlighted that several operations in the region have resulted in the capture of suspected militants, indicating that security forces are actively working to dismantle these networks. Despite the denial of the 176-abduction figure, the police remain committed to ensuring the safe return of all individuals still in the hands of the attackers. The situation continues to draw public concern, with local communities urging continued support and intervention from both state and federal authorities.