Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has received 163 residents who were abducted from communities in the state and recently rescued by combined security forces.

The victims were handed over to the governor by the Nigerian Army on Friday in Ilorin, the state capital.

Speaking during the handover, Abdulrazaq congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the successful rescue operation and commended the security agencies involved for their collaboration, bravery and commitment to restoring peace and security across the state.

The Kwara State Government had on Wednesday announced the release of residents abducted from Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area.

The governor’s media aide, Olayinka Fafoluyi, announced the development in a Facebook post, praising the President, security forces and others involved in the operation.

The victims were abducted on February 3 after armed assailants launched coordinated attacks on Woro, Nuku and other neighbouring communities in Kaiama LGA.

The attacks reportedly claimed the lives of at least 75 people, displaced several residents and left the affected communities severely impacted.

Although the exact number of people abducted was initially unclear, reports estimated that about 170 women, children and other residents were taken hostage during the attacks.

In April, a video circulated on social media showing one of the abducted women appealing to the Kwara State Government to intensify efforts to secure their release.