No fewer than 163 victims rescued from the deadly attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have arrived in Ilorin after spending several months in captivity.
They reached the Kwara State capital late on Thursday after security forces secured their freedom during coordinated operations in the Kainji Lake National Park Forest.
The rescued victims were brought from Niger State to the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Sobi Barracks, where they were received by security officials.
They were later moved to a secure location, while some were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
The abductees were kidnapped during the February attack on Woro, where gunmen killed many residents and took several others into the forest.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomes the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens who were abducted in different attacks in Niger and Kwara states.”
He added that “163 were from Woro and 145 from Niger State.”
Onanuga also described the operation as “the largest rescue operation ever carried out” in a single day, involving the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the military, the Department of State Services, the intelligence agency, and the police.
The rescued victims are expected to be formally handed over to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as officials verify their identities and provide medical, psychological and welfare support.
Authorities said the rescue followed months of intensive security operations after the February attack that devastated Woro and left many families waiting for the return of their loved ones.
