The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a strong call to the Federal Government to immediately rescue 176 residents of Kwara State allegedly abducted by terrorists, warning that the worsening insecurity in the state demands urgent national intervention.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Kwara State to enable the deployment of coordinated and decisive security operations to flush out armed groups operating in rural communities.
HURIWA described the situation as deeply troubling, alleging that governance in parts of the state has deteriorated amid recurring attacks and killings. The group claimed that more than 300 people have reportedly lost their lives to violent attacks in Kwara this year alone.
Citing media reports, HURIWA said suspected Boko Haram terrorists, formally known as Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, circulated a video allegedly showing 176 abducted persons, including women, children and a nursing mother, said to have been taken from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
According to the reports referenced, the video shows several women responding in Hausa when questioned about where they were abducted, stating that they were taken from Woro community. The footage reportedly depicts dozens of women and children seated in rows under distressing conditions.
HURIWA criticised what it described as conflicting accounts regarding the number of abducted persons. While state authorities allegedly indicated that between 20 and 30 persons were kidnapped, the terrorists in the circulated footage reportedly claimed to be holding 176 captives.
The group described the development as “a national embarrassment” and called on both the federal and state governments to move beyond public statements and take concrete action.
“The primary constitutional duty of government is the protection of lives and property. Any persistent failure to prevent large-scale killings and abductions raises serious concerns about governance and accountability,” the statement read.
HURIWA further argued that the security challenges in Kwara warrant extraordinary measures, drawing comparisons with previous federal interventions in other states.
The association demanded the immediate rescue of the abducted residents, intensified security operations across affected communities, and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
HURIWA to FG: Rescue 176 Abducted Kwara Residents, Declare Security Emergency
