176 Women and Children from Woro Still in Captivity – Lafiagi Community Leader Issues Heartbreaking Reminder

According to a report by the Punch on Sunday, July 12, 2026, the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State has renewed calls for the Federal Government to intensify efforts to free hundreds of other victims still being held by kidnappers across the country, particularly in Kwara State.

Religious leaders and community stakeholders in Kwara praised the security agencies for the Oyo operation but urged the authorities to extend the same commitment to communities in Kwara North, where scores of women and children have remained in captivity for several months following terrorist attacks.

The Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Dr. Sanusi Lafiagi, congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for the breakthrough in Oyo while appealing for urgent action in Kwara. He said, “I want to remind you of the 176 women and children from Woro who have remained in captivity since February, as well as other kidnap victims from Kwara North.” watch video here

He stressed that the victims in Kwara deserve the same attention and determination that led to the successful rescue in Oyo, warning that the country should not allow their plight to fade from public attention.

Community leaders and residents also appealed for a coordinated intelligence-led rescue operation, expressing confidence that similar strategies could secure the release of those still in captivity if given the necessary priority and support.

They maintained that every abducted Nigerian deserves equal protection, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to sustain the momentum generated by the Oyo rescue and ensure that families in Kwara and other affected states are also reunited with their loved ones.