Tinubu Directs Army Battalion Deployment to Kwara Following Terror Attack

President Bola Tinubu has announced the deployment of a military battalion to Woro, a village located in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, following a brutal attack by Boko Haram terrorists that left numerous villagers dead.

Reports indicate that the terrorists, led by Mallam Sadiku, carried out an attack on the village, resulting in approximately 170 fatalities, although the state government reported 75 deaths, with the Red Cross validating 162 as of Wednesday evening.

Tinubu's statement was relayed by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, late Wednesday. The president emphasized the importance of the new military unit in launching Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at countering the notorious terrorists and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

He referred to the attack as a “cowardly and beastly act” and labeled the attackers as “heartless” for targeting innocent villagers. According to the statement, Tinubu opined that the victims, who were primarily Muslims, might have been murdered for refusing to be forced into a radical ideology that advocated violence over dialogue and peace.

Furthermore, Onanuga noted that the president commended the villagers for standing against the radical Islamism promoted by the assailants. He urged for cooperation between state and federal authorities to provide support to affected residents and ensure those responsible for the attack face justice.

“President Tinubu offered prayers for the souls of those lost and extended condolences to the bereaved families,” Onanuga stated.

In recounting the attack, locals mentioned that it commenced around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, continuing for several hours until the assailants retreated early Wednesday morning. This incident took place approximately five months after the militant group had previously issued a warning to the village head, Salihu Umar, indicating their intent to propagate their extremist beliefs in the area.

Umar had reported the threat to the Ilorin Emirates Council which resulted in the posting of soldiers to the region, preventing their anticipated incursion.

Residents now speculate that the latest attack might be a retaliatory measure for the military's presence in the community. A local politician, Sa’idu Ahmed, expressed concern, estimating the death toll at around 40, while additional bodies are still expected to be discovered.

By Wednesday evening, local accounts suggested the death toll had escalated to 170, though Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaiye, stated the Emir of Kaiama confirmed 75 deaths during a visit from the governor’s team.

Premium Times was unable to independently authenticate these diverging casualty figures. The Kwara State police confirmed the occurrence of the assault, stating that multiple individuals were killed, others injured, and several properties destroyed during the attack. Reports indicated that the palace of Umar was among the properties set ablaze.

Police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed that police tactical teams, alongside military personnel, forest guards, and local vigilantes were deployed to ensure security in the area and to investigate the fleeing assailants, who reportedly escaped into the Kainji National Park forest.

The faction of Boko Haram under Sadiku had previously terrorized the Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State before relocating to the Kainji forest reserve in July of last year. This relocation was purportedly driven by heavy military airstrikes and conflicts with a rival bandit faction led by Dogo Gide, with whom Sadiku had been collaborating on violent operations across the Northwest and North-central regions.

In the recent past, this group has instigated numerous violent attacks, including a raid on Papiri community wherein over 300 students and staff from St Mary’s Catholic school were abducted, as well as an assault on Kasuwan Daji resulting in over 30 deaths.