President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the recent deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, describing the assailants’ actions as “cowardly and beastly” and reiterating the swift military response already underway, warning that the attackers “won’t go scot-free.”
In a statement released on Thursday, the President said he met with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to be fully debriefed on the incident and expressed outrage over the targeting of innocent villagers.
It was also reported that Governor AbdulRazaq visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja, arriving around 5:00 p.m., where he met with the president.
“Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA.
“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. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation,” the President said.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, reportedly followed a rejected attempt by militants to forcibly indoctrinate community members.
While initial reports suggested over 100 fatalities, Governor AbdulRazaq confirmed 75 deaths, describing the victims as local Muslims “massacred for refusing to submit to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.”
President Tinubu praised the courage of the Woro and Nuku residents, saying:
“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 also confirmed the deployment of an Army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield, which was previously reported, noting that the new command will “checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.”
The President further called for close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide relief to victims and ensure that the perpetrators are 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, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.”
In his message of sympathy, President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the deceased, extended condolences to bereaved families, and assured the people and government of Kwara State of the Federal Government’s support.
“We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror,” he said.