Fresh details have emerged on Tuesday’s attack on Worro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA of Kwara by Boko Haram terrorists.
A younger brother of the traditional ruler of Woro, Ali Umar, said on Wednesday that the terrorists invaded the community shortly after 5:00 p.m. He said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and surrounded the community before opening fire from different directions.
“They came around 5:00 p.m. and completely surrounded the community. They started shooting sporadically from all angles so nobody could escape,” Mr Umar said.
Mr Umar explained that residents who attempted to flee were shot, while those who surrendered were gathered at the palace of the village head, where they were tied up and shot.
Mr Umar further revealed that the wife of the traditional ruler of the community, Hauwa Umar, his mother and three of his children were among those kidnapped during the attack.
“The chief’s wife, his mother and three of his children are missing. That makes five people from his household unaccounted for,” he added.
Mr Umar said the community was thrown into panic, with many residents fleeing their homes.
“The people were scared, and the community is now nearly empty. What we need now is increased security presence to restore confidence and allow people to return,” Mr Umar said.
He noted that there had been a prior intelligence report of a possible attack, which was reportedly communicated to the local government authorities and shared with higher levels of government.
Mr Umar added that some soldiers had earlier patrolled the area on the day of the attack, saying this had initially deterred the terrorists.
There were killings in the Nuku community in the council area.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who arrived in Kaiama on Wednesday night in the company of service chiefs and cabinet members, also confirmed that 75 local Muslims were massacred simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has also condemned the killings in Woro and Nuku communities.
In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Abdukadir Shehu, on Wednesday, the speaker called for an immediate escalation of military operations on the border with Niger to flush out criminal elements.
Mr Danladi-Salihu said, “I commiserate with the Emir of Kaiama and the families of the victims of this horrific attack. I am calling for intensified military action against the perpetrators, and I urge our communities to cooperate fully with security agencies to bring an end to these killings once and for all.”
President Issues Directive To Military
The presidential directive, disclosed on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, follows an overnight massacre in the Worro and Nuku villages of Kaiama Local Government Area, where residents were reportedly ambushed by suspected Boko Haram extremists.
According to the presidential statement, the new military contingent will lead a coordinated security operation codenamed Operation Savanna Shield, aimed at flushing out terrorists, stabilising affected communities, and preventing further attacks.
President Tinubu condemned the assault as “cowardly and beastly,” describing the attackers as heartless for targeting defenseless civilians. He expressed deep sorrow at the loss of life and extended condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Kwara State.
In the statement, the President also urged enhanced cooperation between federal and state security agencies to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable rural populations and to bring those responsible for the atrocities to justice.
(NAN)