Kwara Mass Abductions: 176 Children, Women Still in Captivity.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline
15th February 2026.
The morning sun rises slowly over the quiet plains of Kwara State, but in Woro and Nuku communities, dawn no longer brings comfort. Instead, it carries the weight of fear, uncertainty, and unanswered prayers.
Twelve days after the deadly February 3rd attack on Woro and neighbouring Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area, about 176 children and women remain in captivity, seized by armed extremists who stormed the rural settlements under the cover of darkness.
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What began as another quiet night in the agrarian communities turned into horror. Survivors recount how heavily armed men arrived on motorcycles, firing sporadically and shouting orders. Homes were set ablaze. Families scattered into the surrounding bushland. In the chaos, mothers clutched babies, older siblings dragged younger ones through thorny paths, and fathers attempted to shield their households.
By dawn, the attackers were gone — but they did not leave empty-handed.
The Viral Video
Yesterday, a chilling video surfaced on social media. It showed dozens of frightened women and children gathered in what appeared to be a forest camp. The captives, visibly exhausted and distressed, were paraded by their abductors.
Two elderly women, believed to be mothers from Woro community, were seen speaking in the footage. Their voices trembled as they confirmed they had been taken during the February 3rd attack. One of them, wrapped in a faded scarf, said that 176 women and children were being held in the terrorists’ den.
Behind them, children sat on the bare ground. Some stared blankly at the camera; others clung tightly to one another. The video, now widely circulated, has intensified anxiety among families still searching for their loved ones.
A Community in Agony
In Woro, silence hangs heavily over compounds where laughter once echoed. Empty mats lie in courtyards. Cooking pots remain untouched. Schools in the area have recorded a sharp drop in attendance as parents fear further attacks.
Community leaders say the abduction has disrupted farming activities, the mainstay of the local economy. February is typically a preparation period for planting season, but many residents have fled to safer towns, including Wawa and New Bussa in neighbouring Niger State.
The psychological toll is immense. Local clerics report daily prayer sessions for the safe return of the captives. Mothers who escaped now struggle with survivor’s guilt. Fathers pace restlessly, torn between hope and despair.
Government Response
The Kwara State Government has expressed deep concern over the disturbing footage.
In a statement, Commissioner Bolanle Olukoju reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the safe return of all those affected. She disclosed that officials and security agencies are carefully analysing the video to establish the identities of the individuals shown.
“Since the incident, there have been varying accounts regarding the number of persons abducted,” the statement read. “For this reason, neither the State Government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure. Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”
The government confirmed it has engaged Woro community leaders to assist in identifying individuals seen in the footage. A few persons have been preliminarily identified as residents of Woro, while more remain unaccounted for.
Authorities also noted that some initially reported missing have since reunited with their families, and others may have temporarily relocated to neighbouring communities.
A response committee led by His Highness Ahmed Ibn Muhammed is reportedly working with security agencies, local authorities, and humanitarian stakeholders to coordinate rescue efforts and provide support for displaced persons.
Security analysts warn that the Kaiama axis has increasingly become vulnerable due to its proximity to forest corridors linking parts of Niger and other North Central states. The vast, difficult terrain provides cover for criminal elements and extremist groups.
Local vigilante groups have intensified patrols, but residents say they lack adequate equipment and support. Calls for increased federal security presence in rural communities are growing louder.
Human rights advocates stress that beyond rescue operations, there must be sustained investment in rural security infrastructure, intelligence gathering, and community engagement to prevent recurrence.
A Test of Resilience
For now, families wait.
At the edge of Woro, an elderly man sits beneath a neem tree, clutching prayer beads. His daughter and three grandchildren are among the missing. “We are trusting God,” he says quietly. “They will come back.”
As the days stretch on, hope remains fragile but alive.
The story of Woro and Nuku is not just about numbers — not just 176 women and children. It is about interrupted childhoods, broken households, and a community fighting to hold onto faith amid fear.
Until the captives return home, the plains of Kaiama will continue to echo not with the sounds of harvest, but with prayers for freedom.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 15TH 2026)
