Youths in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday staged a protest at the council secretariat, demanding urgent action over the continued captivity of 176 women and children abducted from Woro community.
The demonstration, led by the Kaiama Youths Advocacy Group, followed the circulation of a viral video showing some of the abductees pleading for rescue, a development that has intensified tension and public outrage in the area.
Addressing journalists, the group criticised authorities for what it described as a failure to protect citizens, warning that the prolonged captivity of the victims exposed serious lapses in the security system.
“The disturbing video of women and children kidnapped in Woro community exposes a painful reality—citizens are being failed by the very institutions meant to protect them,” the group said.
It described the abduction of such a large number of vulnerable residents as a major security breach, expressing concern over what it termed delayed response, limited transparency, and lack of visible results from authorities.
“For families watching their loved ones beg for help, silence from authorities feels like abandonment,” the group added.
While acknowledging the challenges of tackling banditry, the youths urged both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government to move beyond promises and implement coordinated, decisive actions.
They called for the immediate deployment of specialised rescue operations with clear timelines, improved support for local vigilantes, enhanced intelligence gathering, and the establishment of rapid-response units in border communities like Kaiama.
The group also advocated early planning for medical, psychological, and rehabilitation support for victims upon release, alongside long-term measures such as permanent security posts and sustained patrols.
In a related development, the women’s wing of the group staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin, carrying placards with messages such as “Bring Back Our People, Kaiama Is Crying for Justice.”
The protesters decried worsening insecurity in Kwara North, warning that the situation had reached a breaking point and stressing that the protection of lives must take priority over political considerations.
“We will not be silenced. What we demand is peace, security, and protection for our people,” they said.
Meanwhile, five forest guards reportedly killed earlier in the day were buried according to Islamic rites at the Emir’s Palace in Kaiama, highlighting the deepening security crisis in the area.
