Group Criticises Kwara CP Over Comments On 176 Abductees, Demands Rescue

A group, the Global Information Team, has faulted the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, over his remarks on the alleged abduction of 176 residents from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area. The group described the commissioner’s comments as insensitive and misleading, insisting he was downplaying the scale of the incident.

The group argued that the community and local government, which have produced notable public officers, could not fabricate claims of a mass abduction. The statement also accused the police command of initially denying the presence of suspected Mahmuda terrorists in the area before subsequent developments confirmed their activities.

“We are not surprised by the commissioner’s reported claim that only 10 persons were abducted. Were those abducted to be members of his family, would he say so?” the group’s statement read.

The organisation appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and called out the police command for showing weakness in tackling insecurity. “If the CP lacks the capabilities to rescue the abductees, let him look for other things to say,” the group added.

The criticism comes as families of the abductees renewed calls for urgent intervention, nearly six months after the attack. Community members have raised over N155 million in ransom, but the terrorists rejected it and issued fresh threats against the captives.

Commissioner Adekimi had stated on Friday that he could not confirm the figure of 176, saying it did not originate from any security agency. He claimed residents only identified about 10 persons in a video released by the kidnappers.

The Global Information Team maintained the police should focus on rescuing victims rather than disputing the number of those abducted, urging that the operation be treated as a humanitarian emergency.