Tragedy as terrorists attack Kwara communities, kill 75 residents

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara State, confirmed on Wednesday that at least 75 people were killed in the Tuesday attack by suspected terrorists on the Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

Governor AbdulRazaq, during a sympathy visit to the Emir of Kaiama, Dr. Muazu Omar, and the families of the victims, expressed his condolences for the horrific incident.

He also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had established a new security initiative called “Operation Shield Savannah” to safeguard the people of the affected area.

The governor, who was accompanied by security officials from the state, described the attack as tragic and reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens.

He assured that the government would continue to intensify efforts to protect lives and property in the state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Danladi, reported that a mass burial was held on Wednesday afternoon for 70 of the victims at Woro Community.

Alhaji Danladi led an entourage to visit the affected areas later that day.

In Woro, one of the survivors and the head of Woro Village, Alhaji Umar Saliu Tanko, shared his harrowing experience.

Tanko explained that he was away at his shop when the bandits attacked. Upon hearing the news, he rushed home to find that his daughter and two sons had been killed, while his second wife and two others had been abducted.

He said: “I was away in my shop when the army of bandits arrived at my residence Tuesday evening. My daughter and two sons were shot dead, and my second wife and two others were abducted.”

Another survivor, Razaq Abdulazee, recounted how he narrowly escaped the attack. Abdulazee, who had a house on the outskirts of town, was returning home when he noticed people running in panic.

“I was returning home from work when I saw many people running toward my area. I asked what happened, and they told me they were fleeing from the bandits who had attacked the community,” he said.

He quickly gathered his family and fled to the bush. “Many people who couldn’t escape ran to the top of trees to avoid being attacked by the bandits,” he added.

The attack has left the community in shock, and the state government has vowed to take all necessary actions to prevent further violence and ensure justice for the victims.