Seven Abducted Kwara Construction Workers Released After Weeks in Captivity

Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Ilorin, Nigeria – Seven construction workers who were abducted in December from a road project site in Kwara State have been freed after spending weeks in captivity, state authorities announced on Monday. The development brings relief to families and highlights the ongoing challenges of insecurity affecting infrastructure projects and rural communities in parts of north‑central Nigeria. 

The workers were seized on December 15, 2025, while engaged in construction activities along the Sabaja–Owa‑Onire Road in the Isin Local Government Area, a region that has experienced rising incidents of kidnappings and banditry linked to armed criminal gangs. Statements released at the time of their abduction noted that the assailants overpowered the labourers and forced them into nearby forested areas. Reports from the period indicated that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦500 million for their release, intensifying public concern over the fate of the victims and the broader security environment in rural Kwara. 

The release was confirmed by officials from the Kwara State Ministry of Works, who said the freedom of the abductees resulted from coordinated efforts by the state government and security agencies. The workers’ release was described as a significant boost to the government’s efforts to address insecurity along key road corridors and protect those involved in essential public works. Among the freed workers were two engineers employed by the state ministry.

In an official statement, the Ministry’s press secretary highlighted the role of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in directing sustained response measures and emphasised the importance of political will in confronting the threats posed by armed groups operating within parts of the state. The government’s approach, according to the statement, involved engagement with security forces, intelligence gathering and pressure on criminal networks to secure the safe return of the workers without loss of life. 

The families of the abducted men had previously made impassioned appeals for government and security agency intervention, describing their ordeal as deeply traumatic. At a press briefing in late December, relatives spoke of sleepless nights, emotional distress and economic hardship as they awaited news about their loved ones. Many expressed frustration at what they perceived as slow progress in negotiations and rescue attempts, even as they called for intensified operational focus on securing their release. 

The abduction occurred against the backdrop of rising insecurity in Kwara State, where reports of kidnappings, banditry and other violent crimes have increased in recent months. Other incidents in the region have included the abduction of church worshippers in neighbouring local government areas, attacks on commuters and sporadic assaults on rural communities. These developments have strained security resources and raised questions about protective measures for vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure.

In late 2025, multiple families of kidnapped workers made public pleas for government engagement after kidnappers reportedly contacted them with ransom demands. Relatives noted that the abductors preferred dealing directly with government officials rather than families, underscoring the complexity of negotiating secure releases. The emotional toll on households was significant, with wives, children and elderly parents describing a period marked by fear, uncertainty and economic strain.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a pervasive security challenge in several parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural and forested regions where armed groups operate with relative freedom. Analysts attribute the trend to a combination of factors, including expanded criminal networks, limited state presence, economic inequality and the proliferation of small arms. In response, federal and state authorities have at times deployed security forces, intensified patrols and engaged local community stakeholders to mitigate threats and improve response capabilities. 

Security experts note that protecting workers on road projects and other infrastructure sites requires a multifaceted strategy, including enhanced coordination between government agencies, deployment of specialized security units, strengthened intelligence operations and community‑centric initiatives that discourage criminal exploitation. The risks faced by construction crews in remote areas reflect broader tensions between economic development imperatives and the realities of fragile security conditions in some regions of the country. 

The successful release of the seven abducted workers is likely to be welcomed by residents of Ilorin and surrounding communities, many of whom have been advocating for more robust protective measures. Some local leaders have called on authorities to increase surveillance along major roadways, establish rapid‑response units near construction zones and enhance partnerships with traditional and civil society networks to deter future abductions. 

While the immediate relief at the workers’ return is palpable, security analysts caution that sustaining peace and safety in Kwara State will require persistent attention and resources. Long‑term solutions may involve addressing the underlying socio‑economic drivers of banditry, improving rural livelihoods, upgrading law enforcement capacity and implementing community policing models that build trust and resilience. 

As of Monday’s announcement, state officials have not released detailed accounts of how negotiations or operations unfolded during the captives’ period in detention. However, the coordinated efforts that led to their release are expected to shape ongoing discussions about security policy and inter‑agency collaboration in Kwara and beyond. 

The safe return of the seven construction workers marks a pivotal moment for families and the community at large, even as the broader struggle to curb kidnappings and protect Nigerians engaged in essential work continues. 

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