…Donates N80m cash Support

The Kwara Government on Friday gave out N80 million cash support to the 146 victims of the Woro kidnap attack while reuniting them with their families after 21 days of rehabilitation.

The government gave the victims between N200,000 and N1million each with adults receiving N1 million, youths N500,000 and children N200,000 each to enable them restart life after the trauma.

The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government and that of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), state chapter, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, stated this in the palace of the Emir of Kaiama while celebrating the return of the victims.

He described the return of the victims as a great and memorable occasion for the people.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for their efforts in securing the safe return and rehabilitation of the victims.

According to him, the state government had done well by keeping the victims in rehabilitation for 21 days in Ilorin before reuniting them with their families.

He said 146 victims had been reunited with their families, while three others were still receiving treatment in hospital.

“We want to specially thank Gov. AbdulRazaq for the cash support. Adults received N1 million each, middle-aged youths received N500,000, while children received N200,000 each to support them to start again and settle well,” he said.

Danladi urged members of the public to support and encourage the victims, noting that they needed collective assistance to fully recover from the trauma.

He also stressed that security was everybody’s responsibility, urging residents, village heads and other stakeholders to support security agencies and promptly report strange persons or movements in their communities.

The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Saliu, described the safe return of the 146 victims as good news for the community.

Saliu called for sustained support for the victims to regain their mental strength and overcome the psychological effects of their ordeal.

He commended the state government for commencing the rebuilding of shops burnt during the attack, saying the development would help revive economic activities in the area.

The traditional leader also appealed to the government to support farmers who had fled the community because of persistent attacks.

“Agriculture is our mainstay. Our farmers have lost everything. The government should please support them with assistance to start again,” he said.

The Chairman of the Intervention Committee between the Government and Woro Community, Mr Ahmed Ibn Ahmed, said 13 people were still in captivity, appealing to the government to intensify efforts to rescue them.

Ahmed said over N80 million in cash support had been distributed to the rescued victims, appealing with the government to strengthen security in the area, particularly communities sharing boundaries with the national park.

According to him, criminals were taking advantage of the national park, making it necessary for the government to strengthen security around the area.

He further appealed to the government to restore electricity to Woro and other communities still without power supply.

One of the rescued victims, Mariam Ayuba, expressed delight over her freedom and thanked the governor for the financial support.

She said she would use the money to revive her salon business, which had become crippled following her ordeal.

Another victim, Amira Saliu, said she was extremely happy to reunite with her family and friends after spending six months in captivity.

“I can’t express my feelings. I am so happy that I have lost words. I thank Almighty Allah for my safety and the governor for the support.

“I will use the money wisely and plan myself. I will try to forget the experience and move on with my life,” she said.

Residents of Woro and Kaiama trooped out en masse to receive the victims amid dancing, drumming and jubilation.

Many residents embraced their relatives and friends, shedding tears of joy as they welcomed them home.

Woro community was attacked on Feb. 3, with over 100 people killed and 176 abducted. The victims were subsequently rescued on Aug. 5.