Youths in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday staged a protest at the council secretariat, demanding urgent action over the continued captivity of 176 women and children abducted from Woro community.

The protest, led by the Kaiama Youths Advocacy Group, followed the circulation of a viral video showing some of the abductees, including women and children, pleading for rescue, a development that has heightened tension and outrage across the area.

Addressing journalists during the demonstration, the group condemned what it described as a failure of authorities to ensure the safety of citizens, warning that the prolonged captivity of the victims reflects deep cracks in the security system.

“The disturbing video of women and children kidnapped in the Woro community, Kaiama LGA, pleading for rescue exposes a painful reality: citizens are being failed by the very institutions meant to protect them."

The group said the abduction of such a large number of vulnerable residents signified a major security lapse, expressing concern over what it termed delayed response and lack of transparency from relevant authorities.

“The abduction of 176 women and children is a grave security breach. Yet the prolonged captivity points to a worrying pattern: delayed response, limited transparency, and absence of visible results.

“For families watching their loved ones beg for help, silence from authorities feels like abandonment.”

While acknowledging the complexities involved in combating banditry, the youths insisted that commitments by both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government must go beyond rhetoric to yield concrete results.

“We acknowledge that tackling banditry is complex. Security agencies face difficult terrain, limited resources, and evolving threats.

“Both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government have previously committed to ending rural insecurity. But commitment must translate into coordinated action.”

To address the crisis, the group proposed the immediate deployment of specialised rescue operations to Woro with defined timelines and regular public briefings, strengthening of local security structures through better support for vigilantes and intelligence gathering, as well as the establishment of rapid-response units in border communities like Kaiama.

They also called for early preparation of medical, psychological and rehabilitation support for victims upon release, alongside long-term measures such as permanent security posts and sustained patrols to prevent a recurrence.

“The government’s primary duty is the protection of life and property. Woro’s women and children cannot wait.

“We urge Kwara State and the Federal Government to act decisively, communicate openly and secure the safe return of every captive. Leadership is measured not by promises, but by results.”

In a related development, the women’s wing of the group staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin, the state capital, where they were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “Bring Back Our People, Kaiama Is Crying for Justice” and “Calling on Our Govt to Plead with the President, Our People Are Dying.”

The protesters decried the worsening insecurity in Kwara North, declaring that the situation had reached a breaking point and warning against any attempt to suppress their voices for political considerations.

“The insecurity in Kwara North has reached a breaking point, and we refuse to be silenced any longer. No one, no matter their position, has the right to stop us from speaking to the world about the suffering of our people, simply because of political interests.”

They stressed that the safety of lives must take precedence over political calculations, insisting that silence would only embolden those responsible for the crisis.

“Let it be clearly understood: our lives are more important than any political arrangement.”

The group further warned against intimidation, vowing to continue speaking out until lasting security is restored in the region.

“We do not care about political calculations at this moment. What we want, what we demand, is peace, security and protection for our people.”

Meanwhile, amid rising tension, five forest guards reportedly killed earlier in the day were laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites (Janaiza) at the Emir’s Palace in Kaiama, underscoring the deepening security challenges confronting the area.

(The PUNCH)

• Moments before the late Forest Guards were laid to rest for (Janaiza) at Emir's palace, Kaiama.. Photo: Kaiama TV

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