The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intensify efforts toward securing the release of the 176 women and children abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, urging him to adopt the proactive approach that led to the successful rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in neighbouring Oyo State.
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 rescue of the pupils and teachers who regained their freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity.
According to the PDP, the successful operation in Oyo demonstrated that determined leadership, sustained engagement with security agencies and consistent public attention could yield positive outcomes 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 said.
The party argued that the Kwara State Government should draw lessons from the Oyo experience, stressing that the 176 women and children abducted from Woro community during a night attack on February 3, 2026, have remained in captivity despite repeated assurances and security operations.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped during an armed raid on the community, and efforts to secure their release have yet to produce results.
Expressing concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims, the PDP accused the AbdulRazaq administration of failing to demonstrate sufficient urgency in addressing the crisis.
“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 read.
“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 party added.
The opposition further alleged that residents of communities affected by kidnapping and banditry have increasingly felt abandoned by the state government.
According to the PDP, rather than focusing on resolving security challenges, the administration has allegedly become intolerant of criticism from citizens and opposition voices demanding greater action.
“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 stated.
The party also recalled a previous protest organised by women from Ifelodun Local Government Area who demanded government intervention over the abduction of their relatives.
According to the PDP, the protesters were allegedly assaulted during the demonstration.
“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 claimed.
Drawing comparisons with Oyo State, the PDP commended Governor Seyi Makinde for personally engaging protesters during the campaign for the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
The party noted that Makinde addressed demonstrators, explained ongoing rescue efforts and assured them that the government remained committed to securing the victims’ release.
“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 statement said.
The PDP also applauded the Oyo State Government, security agencies, media organisations, the Ratel Movement led by VeryDarkMan and members of the public for sustaining pressure until the victims were rescued.
“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 party added.
The opposition party urged Governor AbdulRazaq to 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,” Adewara said.
“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.”
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Kwara State Government were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Calls and text messages sent to the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, were not responded to before publication.
