Youths protest prolonged captivity of 176 Kwara abductees

Youths in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State protested at the council secretariat, demanding action for 176 women and children abducted from Woro community. The Kaiama Youths Advocacy Group led the protest after a viral video showed abductees pleading for rescue. The group condemned authorities for failing to ensure citizen safety, stating the prolonged captivity reflects security system cracks. They called the abduction a major security lapse, expressing concern over delayed response and lack of transparency. The youths urged the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric to concrete results. They proposed immediate specialized rescue operations, strengthening local security, establishing rapid-response units, and preparing medical and psychological support for victims. The women’s wing of the group also protested in Ilorin, carrying placards demanding the return of their people and decrying worsening insecurity in Kwara North. They stated that insecurity had reached a breaking point and warned against suppressing their voices for political considerations, emphasizing that safety of lives must precede political calculations. Amid rising tension, five forest guards reportedly killed earlier were laid to rest at the Emir’s Palace in Kaiama.