Tension is rising in Kwara State as youths and women groups have taken to the streets to protest the continued captivity of 176 women and children abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
The protesters, led by the Kaiama Youths Advocacy Group, gathered on Friday at the local government secretariat in Kaiama, demanding urgent action from both the state and federal governments to secure the release of the victims.
The demonstration followed the circulation of a disturbing video showing some of the abducted women and children pleading for help, a development that has sparked outrage and deep concern across the area.
Speaking during the protest, members of the group expressed frustration over what they described as the failure of authorities to protect citizens and respond quickly to the crisis.
“The disturbing video of women and children kidnapped in Woro community exposes a painful reality,” one of the leaders said. “Citizens are being failed by the very institutions meant to protect them.”
The abduction of such a large number of people, especially women and children, has been described as one of the most alarming incidents in the area in recent times.
Kaiama Local Government Area, located in Kwara North, shares borders with parts of Niger State and has, in recent years, witnessed increasing cases of bandit attacks and kidnappings. The region’s difficult terrain and limited security presence have made it vulnerable to criminal activities.
The youths said the continued captivity of the victims points to serious weaknesses in the country’s security system, especially in rural communities.
“The abduction of 176 women and children is a grave security breach,” the group said. “Yet the prolonged captivity shows delayed response, limited transparency, and absence of visible results.”
They added that for families whose loved ones were among the abducted, the lack of clear information from authorities has deepened their pain.
“For families watching their loved ones beg for help, silence from authorities feels like abandonment,” the group stated.
While acknowledging that tackling banditry is a complex task, the protesters insisted that government promises must translate into real action.
Over the years, both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government have pledged to improve security in rural areas and end the activities of bandits. However, residents say the situation in some parts of Kwara North continues to worsen.
The youths called for immediate and coordinated steps to address the crisis. Among their demands is the deployment of specialised rescue teams to Woro community, with clear timelines and regular updates to the public.
They also urged the government to strengthen local security systems by supporting vigilante groups and improving intelligence gathering in the area.
In addition, the group called for the establishment of rapid-response security units in border communities like Kaiama, where attacks often occur.
“We acknowledge that security agencies face challenges such as difficult terrain and limited resources,” the group said. “But commitment must go beyond words. It must lead to results.”
The protesters further stressed the need for proper care for victims once they are rescued, including medical treatment, psychological support, and rehabilitation.
They also called for long-term measures to prevent future attacks, such as the creation of permanent security posts and increased patrols in vulnerable areas.
“The government’s primary duty is the protection of life and property,” the group said. “Woro’s women and children cannot wait.”
In a related development, women from the community staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin, carrying placards and calling for immediate intervention.
Some of the messages on the placards read, “Bring Back Our People, Kaiama Is Crying for Justice” and “Our People Are Dying.”
The women expressed anger over the worsening security situation in Kwara North, describing it as unacceptable.
“The insecurity in Kwara North has reached a breaking point,” one of the protesters said. “We refuse to be silenced any longer.”
They warned against any attempt to suppress their voices, insisting that the safety of lives must come before political considerations.
“No one, no matter their position, has the right to stop us from speaking about the suffering of our people,” the group said.
The women also made it clear that they are not interested in politics at this moment but in the safety of their families and communities.
“Let it be clearly understood: our lives are more important than any political arrangement,” they said.
They vowed to continue protesting until concrete steps are taken to restore peace and ensure the safe return of all abductees.
In many cases, victims are taken into forests or remote areas, making rescue operations difficult and prolonging negotiations or search efforts.
The use of videos showing abductees pleading for help has also become more common, often putting pressure on authorities and families.
For residents of Kaiama and surrounding communities, the hope remains that the government will act swiftly to rescue the victims and prevent further attacks.
As the protests continue, the message from the people is clear: they want immediate action, better security, and a future where communities can live without fear.
For now, families in Woro community wait anxiously, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones, while pressure mounts on authorities to respond to one of the most troubling security incidents in the area in recent times.