Survivors of the recent terrorist attacks on Worro and Nukku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have pleaded for the release of their abducted wives and children as the Ramadan fasting period approaches.
The victims made the appeal while speaking to journalists during a visit by Senator Sadiq Umar, who represents Kwara North Senatorial District, to the devastated communities on Sunday. They lamented the absence of women at home to help with cooking and other essential preparations for the fast.
“We are appealing to both the government and the attackers to release our wives and children in the spirit of Ramadan,” one resident said.
Residents disclosed that the attackers, who reportedly killed over 170 people and abducted more than 100, mostly women and children, have not issued any ransom demands. Many families are yet to rebuild their destroyed homes, with most victims currently staying with relatives or seeking refuge elsewhere.
The village head of Worro, Alhaji Umar Bio Salihu, said the community is struggling with a severe lack of basic infrastructure, especially drinking water, due to the destruction of electricity facilities. “Without power, we cannot pump water. The senator donated a generator to help us access water. During last Wednesday’s burial of the victims, we had to travel over an hour on terrible roads to Kaiama for water,” he said.
Alhaji Salihu added that insecurity remains the biggest challenge, forcing many residents to flee. “Limited people are left in the community. Adequate security is the only way to encourage returns. Even those here may leave at any time,” he warned. The destruction was so severe that the village head’s palace, normally used for meetings, was damaged, forcing residents to receive the senator under a tree.
During his visit, Senator Umar toured the affected communities, visited a mass gravesite where over 150 victims were buried, and offered prayers for the deceased. He assured residents that efforts are underway to restore peace and rebuild the communities, while calling on the Federal Government to urgently improve road infrastructure.
“With these bad roads, help cannot reach victims quickly, and hoodlums continue to cause untold damage,” Umar said. He also suggested converting parts of Kainji National Park into an agro-industrial zone as a long-term measure to curb banditry.
As part of immediate relief efforts, the senator distributed palliatives and cash support to victims, urging residents to remain hopeful, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing timely intelligence to protect lives and property.
