PDP urges AbdulRazaq to intensify rescue efforts for 176 abducted women, children
By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to step up efforts to secure the release of the 176 women and children abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, urging him to emulate the approach adopted by the Oyo State Government in the recent rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers.
The victims were taken away during a night attack on February 3, 2026, and have remained in captivity despite military operations, government assurances and repeated protests by residents.
The opposition party made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, while congratulating the Oyo State Government on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after more than 50 days in captivity.
According to the PDP, the Oyo operation demonstrated that committed leadership, sustained public engagement and close collaboration with security agencies could yield positive results in addressing insecurity.
“The successful rescue in Oyo did not happen by accident. It happened because Governor Seyi Makinde showed true leadership, made the crisis his top priority, and worked closely with the Federal Government and security agencies,” the statement read.
The party argued that the Oyo experience should serve as a lesson for the Kwara administration, noting that the 176 women and children abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro community had remained in captivity for more than five months without what it described as sufficient urgency from the state government.
“Our party is worried that while Oyo people celebrate the return of their citizens, Kwara State is left mourning under a government that simply does not care,” the statement said.
“We cannot help but compare the Oyo success to the situation in Kwara, where about 176 innocent people abducted in Woro, Kaiama LGA, have been left in the kidnappers’ den since February 3, 2026.
“Today makes it exactly 158 days that these citizens have been abandoned in the forest, completely ignored by the AbdulRazaq government.”
The PDP further alleged that several communities affected by kidnapping and bandit attacks in the state had been neglected, accusing the government of failing to demonstrate enough commitment to tackling the worsening security situation.
It also claimed that the administration had become intolerant of criticism from residents calling for stronger action against insecurity.
“What is even more disturbing is the way Governor AbdulRazaq treats critics and ordinary citizens who speak out. Instead of fighting bandits, this administration treats anyone who points out its failures as an enemy, using state institutions to hunt down and silence dissenting voices,” Adewara added.
The party also referred to an earlier protest by women from Ifelodun Local Government Area, alleging that they were assaulted while demanding the rescue of abducted family members.
“Kwarans will not forget how elderly women from Ifelodun, who were peacefully protesting and begging the government to rescue their kidnapped loved ones, were brutally assaulted and humiliated right in front of the Government House, Ilorin, while the police and security operatives watched,” the statement added.
Drawing comparisons with events in Oyo State, the PDP commended Governor Seyi Makinde for engaging with protesters and accepting public scrutiny during the rescue efforts.
“Meanwhile, in Oyo State, when protesters led by activist VeryDarkMan took to the streets, Governor Makinde did not send thugs to beat them. Instead, he joined them physically, explained the government’s efforts, and gave them his word. This shows that a determined leader sees critics as partners in progress, not as criminals to be thrown into a jail cell,” the party added.
The opposition party also applauded the people of Oyo State, media organisations, the Ratel Movement led by VeryDarkMan and other citizens for sustaining pressure on authorities until the victims were freed.
“Instead of treating concerned citizens as adversaries, he acknowledged their concerns, personally engaged with protesters, explained the efforts of government and reassured them that every necessary step was being taken to secure the victims’ freedom,” the statement said.
The PDP urged Governor AbdulRazaq to draw lessons from the Oyo example and make the rescue of the Woro abductees an immediate priority.
“We challenge Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to see this development as a wake-up call and immediately rescue the Woro children and pregnant women.”
“We also call on all Kwara citizens, especially journalists, civil society groups, academics and public interest groups, to rise up and demand answers from the AbdulRazaq government regarding the Woro abductees and others still trapped in bandit camps,” Adewara said.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Kwara State Government were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed. Calls and text messages sent to the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, were not returned.