HURIWA demands rescue of 176 abducted Kwara residents, urges Tinubu to declare state of emergency

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Government to secure the immediate release of 176 residents allegedly abducted by terrorists in Kwara State, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state to address what it described as a collapse of governance and security.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the civil rights group condemned what it termed the worsening wave of violence in rural communities of Kwara, particularly in Kaiama Local Government Area.

HURIWA cited media reports alleging that suspected members of Boko Haram, formerly known as Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, circulated a video purportedly showing 176 abducted victims, including women, children and a nursing mother, taken from Woro community in Kaiama LGA.

According to the group, the footage allegedly showed dozens of captives arranged in rows, appearing distressed and in harsh conditions. In the video, a man identified as one of the terrorists was seen questioning some of the women, who reportedly stated in Hausa that they were abducted from Woro community.

The terrorist in the footage allegedly accused the Kwara State Government of downplaying the scale of the abduction, claiming that while officials reported between 20 and 30 victims, 176 persons were in their custody.

Reacting to the development, HURIWA said the situation reflected what it described as a breakdown of security architecture in Kwara State.

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“It is so unfortunate and disgraceful that the Kwara State governor has demonstrated a lack of ideas and zero knowledge of workable modalities and strategic approaches to protect the good people of Kwara State. The truth is that there is no functional government right now in Kwara State,” the statement read.

The group further alleged that more than 300 citizens had been killed in the state this year alone, arguing that urgent federal intervention was necessary to halt the bloodshed.

HURIWA urged President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Kwara State to facilitate what it described as “holistic security measures” aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating in rural communities.

The rights organisation stressed that the immediate priority should be the safe rescue of the abducted residents, warning that failure to act decisively would further erode public confidence in government institutions.

“The most important task for President Tinubu is to ensure the safe return of the 176 citizens kidnapped by terrorists and allegedly being kept in intolerable conditions,” the group said.

HURIWA also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abductions and killings, insisting that perpetrators must face justice.

“Only in a failed state can you see terrorists kill citizens at will and no kind of justice is imposed to punish the killers of citizens,” the group stated, adding that protecting lives and property remains the constitutional obligation of government at all levels.

The organisation referenced the earlier declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that a similar measure should be considered for Kwara given the scale of insecurity. It maintained that if emergency powers were invoked in a state without large-scale killings, then the persistent violence in Kwara warrants urgent and decisive action.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kwara State Government nor federal authorities had issued an official response to HURIWA’s latest demands.

Security analysts note that parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region have witnessed increasing security challenges in recent months, raising concerns about the spread of insurgent activities beyond their traditional strongholds.

Observers say the coming days may test the Federal Government’s resolve in addressing the crisis and reassuring citizens in affected communities that their safety remains a national priority.