Hordes of protesters, under the aegis of Take It Back Movement, have taken to the streets in Kwara to demand the immediate release of the 176 Woro hostages.

The protesters, on Friday, held placards, decrying the escalating killings and kidnappings, particularly in the northern part of the state.

They also chanted several solidarity songs, including “this government won’t rest until they bring back our people,” and called on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to secure lives and property.

“We are here to agitate for the release and freedom of our brothers, sisters and children in captivity. Where is Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq today? Not in the state. He is busy travelling around. Would he have been travelling around if his children were among people in terrorists’ captivity?” a protester said.

The protester singled out the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, and Senator Sadiq Suleiman, the lawmaker representing the Kwara North senatorial district, for criticism.

He added, “Danladi has served as the speaker of the house. What is his impact in Kwara North? What has he done about the killings and kidnappings in the region? Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar has done nothing too. If it were their children, would they be relaxing and travelling around?

“It is more than three months since our families were kidnapped. Have they rescued them? No. They keep on telling us that the government is trying. Is the government really trying? No. Governor Abdulrahman is not trying. He has failed us totally.”

Meanwhile, in his Democracy Day statement on Friday, Mr Abdulrazaq reassured Kwarans of his commitment to end killings and rescue hostages.

“I want to reassure Kwarans that we will see the end of the security breaches in some parts of the state. I am in constant engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable peace and safety across our communities, including freeing our compatriots still in captivity,” the governor stated.