President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kwara State following a wave of brutal killings in the state’s Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, condemning the violence and pledging federal support to restore peace and bring perpetrators to justice.
In a statement delivered on his behalf by Vice-President Kashim Shettima during a visit to Kwara on Saturday, Tinubu described the violent assaults as “tragic and shocking” and reiterated his administration’s deep sympathy for the victims and bereaved families. Shettima conveyed that the victims, long-standing peaceful residents, had lived in harmony within their communities before the attack, noting that “the violence was alien to their history, culture and religious traditions.”
“Please accept our heartfelt condolences on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Our prayers are with you, and our empathy is with the affected families and communities,” the Vice-President said as he stood alongside state officials responding to the crisis.
Shettima also announced that the Federal Government had deployed a battalion of the Nigerian Army under an intensified security effort to safeguard vulnerable communities and prevent further bloodshed. He assured that all “necessary measures are being taken to restore peace and security” to the affected areas.
In addition, the Vice-President said President Tinubu had directed the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to mobilise and distribute relief materials to support survivors and families who lost loved ones in the attacks.
He prayed for “the repose of the souls of the deceased” and asked God to grant the bereaved strength to endure their loss, emphasising the government’s resolve in responding to the tragedy.
Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State thanked President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima for their swift response, describing the federal engagement as “reassuring.” The governor confirmed that troops from the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division were on the ground, alongside NEMA and state emergency officials, engaged in security and humanitarian efforts.
Abdulrazaq expressed hopes that united efforts, community prayers, and sustained action by federal and state authorities would eventually improve security across the nation, asserting that “the safety of our citizens remains a national priority.”
The killings, which began on February 3, have been linked to an assault on Woro and Nuku villages by members of an Islamist sect known as Lakurawa, resulting in numerous deaths and extensive destruction of property.
While casualty figures vary amid ongoing recovery operations, observers and rights groups have condemned the attacks and urged a robust federal response, even as some political voices criticise broader security outcomes under the current administration.
