Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has confirmed the killing of 75 Muslims by terrorists that invaded Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday evening.
Abdulrazaq described the incident as a barbaric and senseless assault on innocent citizens.
The governor who spoke on Wednesday while addressing the security situation in the affected areas, said that the victims were peaceful residents going about their normal lives before the attackers struck.
However, while the governor said 75 were killed, the Red Cross is insisting that ni fewer than 162 residents aere killed in thd attacks.
According to Governor Abdulrazaq, the assailants invaded the community in a coordinated operation, unleashing violence that led to the loss of dozens of lives, destruction of property, and the displacement of residents.
He said preliminary reports from security agencies and local leaders confirmed that no fewer than 75 people were killed, most of them Muslims, while several others sustained injuries and fled to surrounding areas for safety.
The governor strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an act of terror aimed at instilling fear and destabilising the state.
“This is a painful tragedy for our people and for Kwara State as a whole.
“The victims were innocent Muslims who did nothing to deserve such cruelty,” Abdulrazaq said.
He assured residents that the state government is working closely with federal authorities and security agencies to restore calm, track down the perpetrators, and prevent further attacks.
Governor Abdulrazaq added that security reinforcements had been deployed to the affected communities, while intelligence-led operations were ongoing to flush out the attackers and their collaborators.
He also called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives, urging them to share credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The governor extended his condolences to the families of the victims, praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and quick recovery for those injured.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property in Kwara State, stressing that acts of terror would not be allowed to undermine peace and unity in the state.
Meanwhile , President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate deployment of a military battalion to Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area following Tuesday’s deadly attacks which left 75 muslims dead.
The directive includes the appointment of a field commander and the immediate commencement of a military operation tagged Operation Savanna Shield, aimed at restoring security, protecting residents, and preventing further violence in the affected communities.
The development was announced on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In a post on his official X handle, Onanuga said the President’s intervention was targeted at providing immediate relief to affected communities and strengthening security operations in the area.
The post read: “Help is on the way for the beleaguered people of Kaiama and others as President Tinubu orders the deployment of a military battalion, the appointment of a commander and the start of Operation Savanna Shield.”
The order comes amid renewed shock and grief following the mass killing of residents who reportedly resisted the demands of extremist elements operating in the area.
On Tuesday, a large-scale attack on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State reportedly resulted in the deaths of 162 people, marking the deadliest violent incident in the state this year.
The figure was confirmed by officials of the Red Cross and local authorities, as residents recounted widespread killings and destruction of property during the assault.
The Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the Red Cross, Babaomo Ayodeji, said the verified death toll stood at 162 as of Wednesday afternoon, while a local legislator indicated that the number of casualties could rise further.
A politician from the Kaiama region, Sa’idu Ahmed, said the attackers targeted villagers after the community refused to accept extremist demands.
He disclosed that homes and shops were set ablaze, forcing many residents to flee into surrounding bushes.
Several villagers sustained injuries, while others, including the traditional ruler of the community, remained missing as of Wednesday.
Ahmed said he was in the village alongside security personnel, assisting with recovery efforts and searching surrounding areas.
Residents alleged that the assailants were jihadist extremists who had earlier addressed the community, insisting that locals renounce allegiance to the Nigerian government and submit to strict Sharia law.
According to eyewitnesses, the violence began when villagers opposed the demand during a religious gathering.
The commencement of Operation Savanna Shield is expected to significantly boost federal security presence in the region, stabilize affected communities, and prevent further attacks, as residents continue to mourn the victims of the raid.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
