Soldiers and Forest Guards have taken control of the Woro and Nuku communities as families grieve and mass burials commence.
In the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, soldiers and Forest Guards have assumed full control of the Woro and Nuku communities after a deadly bandit attack that has resulted in approximately 40 fatalities.
The assault occurred on Tuesday evening, plunging the affected communities into mourning. A reliable local source confirmed on Wednesday that security forces were promptly deployed to restore order and prevent further violence.
The source indicated that numerous residents were killed during the attack, with several homes set ablaze. This incident shocked locals who believed the area was gradually returning to stability after previous bandit assaults.
Reports suggest that the attackers came from neighboring villages in Niger State. They allegedly gathered residents to preach, urging them to reject the Nigerian Constitution in favor of Islamic law.
Eyewitnesses reported that some residents openly opposed this message, which provoked the armed assailants. The situation escalated quickly, leading the attackers to open fire on the crowd.
Many individuals were killed instantly, while a few managed to flee.
As of Wednesday morning, preparations for the mass burial of the victims were already underway.
The Kwara State Government confirmed the attack in a statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye. Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned the attack as cowardly and deeply distressing.
He suggested that the incident might have been an attempt to divert security forces’ attention following recent successes against bandits and kidnappers in the region.
The governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the residents of Woro and Nuku, particularly to those who lost loved ones, and assured them that security operations in the area would be strengthened.
Security forces flood Kwara communities over fresh bandits attack leaves 40 dead
