The National chairman of Kaiama Development Association, Yakubu Salihu has lamented that only 163 of the 176 Woro kidnap women and children victims were released on Wednesday.

According to him: “176 were taken away, only 163 were released, thus short of 13 people,” asking: “where are others?”

Recall that armed kidnappers, February 3, this year stormed Woro community in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State, killing over 100 people and abducted 176.

Salihu told newsmen on Thursday that some pregnant women actually delivered babies within the six months in captivity.

He disclosed that the freed Kwarans, presently in Niger State would be taken back to Kwara on or before Saturday for proper health attention and for resettlement.

He explained that the limited number of security operatives currently serving the area had made it difficult to respond effectively to emergencies, stressing that a permanent military formation would strengthen security surveillance, improve response time and serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.

According to him, inadequate security personnel remained one of the major challenges confronting the area, leaving communities exposed to criminal attacks.

“The Federal Government is making efforts to establish a battalion of the Nigerian Army here. As a community, we are ready to provide a suitable location and every support needed to ensure the military settles in quickly and begins operations,” he said.

He appreciated the federal government for approving military base in the area: “so far, we have seen the government making efforts. The Federal Government is working towards establishing a Nigerian Army battalion in our community.

“The major challenge we have faced is the absence of adequate security personnel. The few security agencies currently operating in the area are not enough to effectively protect the community.

“If the Federal Government can expedite the establishment of the military base, we are ready to provide every necessary support to ensure its smooth take-off. Once the battalion is operational, security response will be faster, and we believe it will go a long way in preventing similar attacks from happening again.

“That is why we are appealing to the Federal Government to treat this as a matter of urgency and ensure the project is completed without delay.

“We are already making plans to provide a suitable location where the soldiers can be stationed so they can begin operations as soon as possible,” he expressed.

He said: “a permanent military presence is essential to prevent future attacks and restore public confidence.”

Salihu lamented the poor road network in the local government, urging the government to the rescue as he listed that four roads link the Kaiama local government.