- As Turkey offers counter-terrorism support
The United Nations (UN), the United States (US), and Turkey have strongly condemned the killing spree in Woro and nearby Nuku communities in Kwara State that left at least 75 people dead.
In separate statements, they described as “heinous” the attack, which also left several others wounded, shops and a traditional ruler’s residence razed, with residents fleeing to safety in other community.
Writing in an X post, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 3 February in Kwara State, Nigeria. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & to the people & government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Similarly, the United States Mission in Nigeria wrote: “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence. We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice.”
On its part, the Turkish government said it was “deeply saddened” by the terrorist attack that terminated many innocent lives and sent them to their early graves.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on its website thus: “We strongly condemn this heinous attack and extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria. Türkiye will continue to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.”
The condemnation came against the backdrop of a deadly attack by gunmen on Tuesday in Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities with some reports suggesting a higher casualty figure than the 75 people officially released by the authorities.
Following the attack, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama Local Government Area, even as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) condemned the incident, describing it as tragic.
The Force also confirmed that a manhunt is underway to arrest all those responsible for the dastardly act and bring them to book.
Also describing the incident as a “pure massacre”, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who confirmed that at least 75 victims had already been buried, 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, who spoke 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, was accompanied by personnel of some security agencies in the state.
He commiserated with the emirate and families of those affected by the attack, assuring that the state government would intensify efforts to ensure the protection of life and property across the state.
Also, reacting to the unfortunate development, Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi, who visited the affected communities, disclosed that 70 victims were buried in a mass grave on Wednesday afternoon at Woro community.
Meanwhile, various political groups, including the Northern States Governors’ Forum, and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others have condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric and indicative of worsening insecurity in the region.
