Tinubu Deploys Army Battalion After Suspected Jihadists Kill 170 in Kwara State
Kaiama, Kwara State – Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has swiftly ordered the deployment of an army battalion to this district in central Kwara State following a brutal overnight attack by suspected jihadist fighters that left at least 170 people dead, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region this year and sparking widespread calls for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
The Horrific Attack on Woro and Nuku Villages
The deadly raid took place late on Tuesday in the remote villages of Woro and neighbouring Nuku, located in the Kaiama Local Government Area.Armed gunmen stormed the area around 5pm, opening fire on residents and causing chaos that lasted for several hours. Reports indicate that the attackers, believed to be from a Boko Haram splinter group or the Lakurawa militia affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province, had been preaching in the villages for some time.They urged locals to reject the Nigerian government, surrender to their extremist rule, and adopt strict Sharia law. When the mostly Muslim villagers refused, the militants rounded up many and executed them in cold blood.
The death toll has been staggering, with initial reports from the state governor putting it at 75, while a local lawmaker estimated it could rise to 170 as more bodies are recovered from the bush. A Red Cross official confirmed that at least 162 people have been accounted for so far, with searches ongoing in the difficult terrain. Among the victims were men, women, and children, with some houses and shops set on fire during the rampage. The attackers also kidnapped several people, including women and children, adding to the heartbreak for families left behind. This assault highlights the growing threat of violence spilling over from northern Nigeria into central and western states, where such large-scale attacks were once rare.
Eyewitness Accounts: A Night of Terror
Survivors have shared chilling stories of the ordeal. Umar Bio Salihu, the 53-year-old traditional chief of Woro, described how the gunmen arrived suddenly and began shooting without warning. He lost two of his sons in the violence and watched helplessly as his wife and three daughters were taken away by the militants. “They just came in and started shooting,” he recounted, painting a picture of fear and confusion as villagers tried to flee into the surrounding forests. Local lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio echoed these sentiments, blaming the Lakurawa group and noting that the attackers had been active in the area, carrying out targeted killings in recent months.
Residents spoke of the militants’ attempts to impose their “strange doctrine” on the community, which refused to give in. This defiance led to the massacre, with bodies scattered across the village and nearby areas. The attack has left the community in ruins, with burnt-out buildings serving as grim reminders of the violence. Efforts to bury the dead have been ongoing, with 78 funerals already held and more expected as recovery teams work through the debris.
Presidential Response and Immediate Actions
In a strong show of resolve, President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as “cowardly and barbaric,” emphasising that the gunmen targeted innocent people who had rejected extremist demands.On Wednesday, he directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama to bolster security and prevent further incidents.This new unit will lead “Operation Savannah Shield,” aimed at checking the spread of terrorism and protecting remote villages.The president also rallied relief materials for the affected communities, acknowledging the need for both military and humanitarian support.
The Inspector-General of Police has ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to Kwara State to track down the perpetrators. The Defence Headquarters has intensified efforts to hunt the attackers, building on recent military operations in the area against terrorist elements.These steps come amid fears that jihadist groups are pushing southward along the Niger-Kwara border towards the Kainji forest, which could become a new stronghold if not addressed.
International Support and Broader Security Context
The timing of the attack coincides with increased international involvement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.The United States has a small team of troops in the country providing intelligence, training, and counterterrorism support.Experts have praised Tinubu’s government for accepting this help, noting that Nigerian forces are doing the main work but that cooperation could speed up efforts to weaken jihadist groups.Recent US airstrikes in Sokoto State led to the arrest of 39 suspected terrorists who fled southward, showing the interconnected nature of these threats.
Nigeria has long battled insecurity, with Boko Haram and its offshoots responsible for thousands of deaths since 2009.The group, whose name is often used broadly for jihadists, has expanded from the northeast into central states like Kwara, where kidnappings and village raids have risen. This latest massacre is part of a wave of violence, including another attack in Katsina State that added to the national toll nearing 200 in recent days.The government has declared a security emergency and plans mass recruitment for police and army to tackle these overlapping threats, including banditry and gang violence.
Political Reactions and Calls for Reform
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has slammed the killings as a painful sign of growing insecurity under Tinubu’s administration, urging quicker action to safeguard citizens.Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq shared the tragedy on social media, calling it a massacre of local Muslims and vowing to work with federal forces. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other leaders have described the act as heinous, stressing that it offends shared values and humanity.
Analysts warn that without addressing root causes like poverty and weak border controls, such attacks may continue. The focus now is on recovery for the survivors, with relief efforts underway to provide food, shelter, and medical aid.As the army settles in, communities hope for lasting peace in a region long plagued by fear.
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