Nearly seven months after they were abducted by bandits, 146 victims of the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria have finally returned to their families.
The emotional homecoming was marked by tears of joy, relief and celebrations as the victims reunited with their loved ones.
It was a painful reminder of the February 3 attack when bandits invaded Woro, killing several residents and abducting about 170 villagers.
Nearly seven months later, 146 of the victims have returned home after regaining their freedom.
Released about three weeks ago, the victims were kept at a private facility in Ilorin, the state capital where they received medical attention and psychosocial support before returning to Kaiama. Residents commended the state government for supporting their recovery.
As the vehicles conveying the victims arrived, jubilant residents sang and danced, while relatives struggled to hold back tears at the sight of their loved ones alive and free.
At the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, families were finally reunited, including babies born while their mothers were in captivity. The Emir described the return as a significant moment for the community.
To support the victims’ reintegration, the State Government’ announced ₦80 million in financial assistance, with each of the 146 victims receiving between ₦200,000 and ₦1 million.
But despite the celebrations, the pain is far from over.The Woro Village Head, whose wife and daughter were among those rescued, appealed for the immediate rescue of the 13 villagers still in captivity.
For many of the freed victims, the homecoming also carries the pain of loss, as several husbands and fathers were killed during the attack. They must now rebuild their lives, carrying memories of captivity, grief and trauma but with the hope of a safer future.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
