Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Wednesday, said about 75 people were reportedly massacred in Tuesday’s attack by suspected terrorists at Woro and Nukucommunities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
AbdulRazaq said President Bola Tinubu had set up a security taskforce, named “Operation Shield Savannah,” to ensure safety and protection of the people of the area. The governor stated this last night when he paid a sympathy visit to Emir of Kaiama, His Royal Highness, Dr. Muazu Omar, and the families of those affected by the incident.
AbdulRazaq, who was accompanied by personnel of some security agencies in the state, described the incident as unfortunate.
He commiserated with the emirate and families of those affected by the attack.
He said the state government would intensify efforts to ensure the protection of life and property in the state.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi, disclosed that 70 victims were buried in a mass grave on Wednesday afternoon at Woro community. Danladi stated this in Woro, when he visited the affected communities.
One of the survivors and head of Woro Village, Alhaji Umar Tanko, said he was not at home when the bandits arrived.
Speaking in an angry tone, Tanko said the bandits killed his daughter and two sons, and abducted his second wife with two other persons.
He stated, “I was away at my shop, where I sell goods, when the army of bandits arrived my residence on Tuesday evening. My daughter and two sons were shot dead, while my second wife and two others were abducted.”
Another survivor, Razaq Abdulazeez, who said his house was at the outskirts of town, stated that he was returning home late in the afternoon when he saw people running towards the outskirts of town
Abdulazeez stated, “I was returning home from work when saw many people running towards my area. I asked what happened and was told that they were running to escape the wrath of bandits who came to attack the community.
“I increased my speed to my house, packed my family members, and we escaped to the far bush in the outskirts of town. Many people, who couldn’t run out of town, escaped to the top of trees to avoid bandits’ attacks.”
Soldiers, Forest Guards Take Over in Kwara
Following Tuesday’s attacks at Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, soldiers and forests guards had, reportedly, taken over the communities to check further attacks in the area.
The death toll in the affected communities had reportedly risen to over 40. Some members of the affected communities, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development.
One of them said, “Let me tell you that as of this morning, the casualties are over 40 persons as we speak, and soldiers and forest guards have taken over the two communities.
“It is such a very sad development at a time we thought we were having peace from bandits’ attacks of the past.”
Bandits, in a renewed onslaught, attacked Woro and Nuku on Tuesday evening.
Many families, THISDAY gathered, lost their loved ones in the attacks, while several houses were burnt by the criminals.
Sources close to the two communities said the bandits from neighbouring villages in Niger State had come to preach to residents of the two communities to jettison the Nigeria constitution and embrace Qur’an.
It was further gathered that the bandits had been going around Niger villages preaching the same message, before they infiltrated the affected communities in Kaima Local Government Area of Kwara State.
It was gathered that during the sermons by the bandits, there were dissenting voices, which infuriated the bandits, prompting them to open fire on the people.
One survivor, who did not want to be named, said, “The angry bandits opened fire indiscriminately on the congregation and no fewer than 40 persons from the two communities died. A few of them escaped.
“They should be preparing mass burial for them as we speak.”
The state government, in an earlier statement by Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, before the governor’s visit to the affected communities, said the governor was saddened by the cowardly attack on civilians in Woro and Nukucommunities.
The statement said, “The governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded.
“Governor AbdulRazaq says the attack was apparently to distract the security forces, who have successfully hunted down several terrorist and kidnapping gangs across many parts of the state.
“The governor expresses heartfelt condolences to Woro and Nuku communities on the sad incident, especially the families affected in the Tuesday attack.”
Hammed Shittu, George Okoh, Sunday Aborisade and Linus Aleke
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