Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has described the deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area as a “pure massacre”, confirming that 75 victims killed in the assault have been buried.
The Governor spoke on Wednesday night during a visit to the affected area and the Palace of the Emir of Kaiama, Muazu Omar, where he commiserated with residents and families of the victims.
“It’s different from what we used to see, where subjects were kidnapped for ransom. This was just a pure massacre, and it’s something we truly condemn and commiserate with you over,” AbdulRazaq said. “Seventy-five have been buried. We are short of words, but we thank the security agencies for their work.”
Gunmen attacked the Woro and Nuku communities late Tuesday night, killing at least 75 residents in Woro, while properties were destroyed in neighbouring Nuku.
The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents recorded in the state in recent times and has heightened concerns about the spread of violent extremism into parts of Kwara previously considered relatively calm.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the attackers targeted members of the Muslim community for resisting what he described as a perverted terrorist doctrine.
“Because they absolutely refused a change in doctrine, they were attacked and massacred,” the Governor noted.
He assured residents that those responsible for the killings would be apprehended and justice served.
“They’ve murdered sleep, and I can assure you that within the next month, the whole place will be flooded with soldiers,” he said. “Our administration will continue to work with the security agencies to rid our communities of these ungodly and misguided criminals.”
In response to the killings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area to reinforce security and restore calm.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the new military command would spearhead Operation Savannah Shield in the area.
President Tinubu said the operation would “checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.”
He condemned the attack, describing it as cowardly and inhumane.
The President also said, “It’s commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.”
He expressed anger over the killing of villagers who rejected extremist ideology and instead chose to practise a peaceful form of Islam, and urged closer collaboration between federal and state authorities to support affected residents and ensure the perpetrators face justice.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and condoled with bereaved families, as well as the people and government of Kwara State.
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