Tinubu: assault ‘cowardly, beastly’ • Senators condemn killings • Chairman relives horror scenes
Those who killed residents in 78 villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State will not escape justice, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu vowed yesterday.
He directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to communities affected by the deadly terrorist attack.
In a message posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, the President said the directive was aimed at ensuring that those behind the atrocity are pursued and brought to justice.
“I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice.”
The President confirmed an earlier meeting with Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who was at the State House to brief him on the incident in Kaiama council.
“Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA,” he said.
President Tinubu, who condemned the attack, described the gunmen as heartless for targeting defenceless villagers.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror,” he stated.
According to him, the assailants’ actions were not only criminal but also an affront to national values and faith.
“Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation,” he added.
According to him, he had, a day earlier, ordered the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area following the “horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro.”
He said the new military command would spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the terrorists and protect communities.
President Tinubu said: “Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro.
“This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.”
The President noted that the attack was particularly disturbing because the victims were reportedly killed for rejecting forced indoctrination.
President Tinubu praised the victims for refusing to be drawn into extremist ideology, stressing that Nigeria would not surrender its people to terror disguised as religion.
“As I said, ‘It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.’ Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith,” he declared.
He assured that the perpetrators would be tracked and punished, insisting they would not evade justice.
“They will not go scot-free,” the President said.
President Tinubu also offered prayers for the victims and condolences to their families, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s support for Kwara State.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you,” he said.
He pledged that the government would protect communities and defeat those seeking to divide the country through terror.
“We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror,” the President said.
‘Terrorists murdered sleep’
AbdulRazaq vowed that the terrorists would be flushed out of Kianji park in one month.
“They (terrorists) have murdered sleep, and they will sleep no more. I can assure you that within one month, the whole place will be flooded with soldiers,” the governor said when he paid a condolence visit on Emir of Kaiama, Omar Muazu.
AbdulRazaq explained that the refusal of the community members to succumb to a “perverted Islamic doctrine and faith” was the reason for the killings.
He said: “It is sad that we are here to commiserate with you. From our information, this village refused to succumb to a perverted form of Islamic doctrine. Because these people refused a change of Islamic doctrine and faith, they were attacked and massacred.
“This action was different from kidnapping for ransom. This is just pure massacre. It is highly condemnable.
“The state emergency service is going to look for how to take care of family members of the deceased. This is a major challenge to tackle now.’’
Police launch probe
The Kwara State Police Command said security personnel have launched investigations into the killings.
The aim is to track down the perpetrators and ensure they face the full weight of the law, spokesperson Toun Ejire-Adeyemi (SP) said.
In a statement, Ejire-Adeyemi noted: “A joint security team comprising Police, Military, and National Forest Guards has been deployed and is currently on the ground to maintain law and order, prevent further attacks, and reassure residents of their safety.
“The Command extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the entire Woro community during this moment of grief, while praying for the repose of their souls.
“We urge residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and promptly provide credible information to aid ongoing operations.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress.
“For emergencies or useful information, contact the Kwara Police Command via 07032069501 or 08125275046.”
Senators condemn killings
The Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan have condemned the gruesome killings in parts of Kwara State.
They described the attacks as barbaric and unacceptable, while calling for urgent, decisive action to halt the worsening insecurity across the country.
The NSF, in a statement by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, expressed deep condolences to the governments and people of the affected states, sympathising with victims’ families and praying for the repose of the departed souls.
“These senseless acts of violence are a stark reminder of the insecurity plaguing our nation,” the statement read.
The forum urged citizens to report suspicious activities and called on the Federal Government to increase recruitment of security personnel to confront the threats.
Lawan described the attack as “heinous and barbaric.” He lamented reports that at least 170 people were killed.
He said: “With a heart laden with grief and a sense of national tragedy, I express my deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kwara.”
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for immediately deploying an Army Battalion to Kwara, describing it as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s resolve to restore security.
“I urge all traditional and community leaders in the affected regions to ensure calm, as your strength in this hour of darkness is crucial,” he said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement, expressed deep sadness over the loss of innocent lives in the violent attacks. She extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and affected communities.
She said: “The persistent killings of innocent Nigerians are unacceptable and deeply troubling.
“My heart goes out to the families plunged into grief by these senseless acts. Protecting lives and ensuring justice must be non-negotiable.
“The safety of our citizens should always be the government’s highest priority.”
Turkey pledges support
The government of Turkey expressed sadness over the killings.
In a statement on its X handle, the Turkish government strongly condemned the “heinous attack” and assured Nigeria of continued support in fighting terrorism.
It stated: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the terrorist attack in Kwara State, Nigeria.
“We extend condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria.
“Turkey will continue to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.”
Council chair: It was like a horror film
Kaiama council chair, Abubakar Danladi, said the scenes of deaths and charred bodies were similar to scenes from horror films.
“As a medical doctor, I have not seen such a horrifying scene. As they arrived, they went straight to the village head’s house and killed his two graduate medical doctor children, male and female.
“It means we have bad eggs among us who are giving them information about our communities. They got to the village head’s house, asked for the keys to his two vehicles, vandalised the vehicles, and set his house ablaze.
“The next thing they did was to enter the house and abduct his wife along with some of his young children. They used the village head’s vehicles to ferry away the abductees.
“It is highly disheartening and disconcerting that even when we wanted to buy water in this community, we could not get any because all the roadside shops had been burnt down.
“What is more horrifying is the setting ablaze of 12 young vigilante members who were seated in their office. This is because their guns and bullets could not do anything to the attackers.”
