Kwara PDP, APC Clash Over Security Response as Oyo School Rescue Sparks Debate

… AbdulRazaq’s failure left 179 Woro victims in captivity for 159 days – PDP

The successful rescue of 49 abducted pupils, teachers and school staff in Oyo State has triggered a fresh war of words between the Kwara State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), with both parties offering sharply different assessments of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s handling of insecurity in the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Kwara PDP congratulated the Oyo State Government on the rescue of the victims, describing the operation as the outcome of sustained government commitment, public advocacy and collaboration with security agencies.

The statement, signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for what it described as responsive leadership during the 51-day captivity of the schoolchildren and teachers.

The opposition party argued that Makinde remained engaged with concerned citizens, accepted public criticism and worked closely with the Federal Government and security agencies until the victims regained their freedom.

Drawing a comparison with Kwara State, the PDP accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration of failing to accord similar urgency to the rescue of victims abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.

According to the PDP, about 179 people, including pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, remain in captivity more than five months after the attack, which it said also claimed the lives of nearly 200 residents. The party alleged that the affected families had been left without adequate government attention and called on the administration to intensify rescue efforts.

The PDP also criticised what it described as the government’s attitude toward citizens and groups demanding greater action on insecurity, alleging that peaceful protesters in Kwara had been poorly treated while contrasting that with Governor Makinde’s engagement with demonstrators in Oyo.

The party further urged journalists, civil society organisations, academics and other stakeholders to continue demanding accountability regarding efforts to secure the release of the remaining Woro captives.

However, the Kwara State APC dismissed the allegations as false, irresponsible and politically motivated.

In a separate statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Olawale Babatunde, the ruling party said Governor AbdulRazaq has consistently prioritised security since assuming office in 2019 through investments in logistics, intelligence gathering and operational support for security agencies.

The APC said the governor promptly convened emergency security meetings following recent security incidents in Kwara North and South, leading to intensified joint operations, increased surveillance and the deployment of additional security personnel to vulnerable communities.

According to the party, Governor AbdulRazaq also engaged the Presidency and national security chiefs, resulting in the deployment of additional federal security assets, including a military battalion approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to strengthen operations in affected areas.

The ruling party maintained that ongoing rescue efforts are being coordinated through collaboration between state and federal security agencies, stressing that operational details cannot be publicly disclosed because of the need to safeguard victims and protect ongoing missions.

The APC further stated that several kidnapped victims had already been rescued through what it described as discreet, intelligence-driven operations, arguing that publicising sensitive security strategies could undermine rescue efforts.

While commending successful rescue operations in other states, including Oyo, the party said comparing different kidnapping incidents based solely on the duration of captivity was misleading, noting that each security situation presents unique operational challenges.

The APC accused the PDP of exploiting the suffering of victims’ families for political purposes, insisting that the AbdulRazaq administration remains focused on securing the safe return of all abducted persons rather than engaging in public relations battles.

The party reaffirmed its support for Governor AbdulRazaq and the state’s security agencies and appealed to residents to remain calm, stay vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence to security authorities.

The exchange highlights the growing political debate over security management in Kwara State following the Woro attack, even as authorities continue efforts to rescue those still in captivity.