By Maryam Shuaibu
President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the rescue of 308 Nigerians abducted in separate attacks in Kwara and Niger states, describing the operation as a major success for the country’s security agencies.
The victims, comprising 163 people abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and 145 others from Niger State, were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Presidency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, the victims were rescued during a coordinated, intelligence-led operation involving the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Presidency described it as the largest number of abducted Nigerians rescued by the joint security team in a single operation.
Tinubu commended the security agencies for their coordination and urged them to build on the operation by improving intelligence gathering and response mechanisms.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the president said.
The rescued victims are receiving first aid and medical attention at the medical facility at Wawa Cantonment. The Presidency said they would be handed over to their respective state governments after medical evaluation for further care and reunification with their families.
The operation is particularly significant for Woro, which has remained one of the major kidnapping flashpoints in Kwara since a deadly attack on the community earlier this year.
On 3 February, armed attackers invaded Woro and neighbouring communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, killing residents and abducting scores of women and children. UNICEF later reported that about 176 women and children were kidnapped and that as many as 17,000 people were affected by the violence and subsequent displacement (UNICEF).
The prolonged captivity of the Woro victims had generated growing concern among residents, community groups and political organisations. As recently as late July, community representatives were still demanding the rescue of more than 170 abductees and warning that insecurity in Kaiama and neighbouring Baruten Local Government Area was worsening.
The latest rescue therefore marks a significant development in a case that had remained unresolved for months and had placed pressure on the Federal and Kwara State governments to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
Tinubu, while welcoming the development, directed security agencies and other relevant authorities to strengthen early warning systems, community-level intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities.
He said the government must focus not only on rescuing victims after attacks but also on preventing similar incidents.
The president said his administration remained committed to eliminating security threats, protecting vulnerable communities and restoring peace across the country.
The rescue also comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence-led security operations and improve coordination among the military, police and intelligence agencies in response to escalating kidnapping and terrorist attacks in parts of Nigeria.