OVER 100 FEARED DEAD AS EXTREMISTS, BANDITS LAUNCH COORDINATED ATTACKS IN KWARA, BENUE

By Aishat Momoh. O.

At least 100 people were feared killed on Tuesday night following a brutal attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State by suspected Islamic extremists, while several others lost their lives in a separate bandit assault on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Although initial community reports placed the Kwara death toll above 100, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq later confirmed that 75 persons were killed during the attack.

Speaking on Wednesday night at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, the governor said the victims were “local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange and dangerous doctrine.”

He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to the affected areas to launch counter-offensives under Operation Savannah Shield.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by Lakurawa, an armed group linked to the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), further intensifying concerns over the expansion of extremist sleeper cells into Nigeria’s North-Central region.

Conflicting casualty figures, mass burial reported

The lawmaker representing Kaiama in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Bio, confirmed the attack but said casualty figures remained uncertain.

“There are conflicting reports. Some say about 100, others say 160. What is clear is that there were killings, but the exact number is difficult to ascertain,” he told The PUNCH, while urging urgent federal intervention.

Local sources said the death toll may be higher than officially acknowledged, revealing that about 70 bodies were buried in a mass grave in Woro community on Wednesday afternoon.

Residents said the attackers had earlier moved through border villages in neighbouring Niger State, preaching that residents should abandon Nigeria’s constitution and adopt extremist interpretations of Islamic law.

“When they brought the same message to Woro and Nuku, some people resisted. That was when they opened fire and shot indiscriminately,” a source said.

Another resident disclosed that the group had earlier attempted to preach in Baburasa community in Borgu but were rejected by the village head.

Survivors recount horror

Survivors narrated harrowing experiences. The village head of Woro, Alhaji Umar Tanko, told Kaiama council officials that he lost two sons and a daughter, while his junior wife and two others were abducted.

“I was in my shop when they arrived. They shot my children and took my wife away,” he said.

Another resident, Razaq Abdulazeez, said many villagers escaped by fleeing into bushes or climbing trees.

“Those who couldn’t run climbed trees to escape being killed,” he said.

Leaders react, demand stronger action

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, called for intensified military operations along the Niger border.

Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) also urged the deployment of more troops, describing the attack as a grim reminder of the need for sustained vigilance.

Former Senate President and ex-Kwara Governor, Bukola Saraki, described the massacre as a national emergency, insisting that the situation had gone beyond the capacity of the state government.

“What happened in Woro is a war against Nigeria. It requires decisive and direct federal intervention,” Saraki said, urging the establishment of permanent military bases in affected areas.

Opposition parties condemn killings

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the attack, describing it as “gruesome, despicable and inhuman,” while accusing the state government of offering only cosmetic responses.

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) also faulted the Federal Government’s security strategy, calling for an urgent overhaul of the nation’s security architecture and improved use of technology such as drones.

Soldiers, forest guards deployed

Military personnel and forest guards have since taken over Woro and Nuku communities. The Kwara State Government, through the Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the attack and said it was an act of desperation by extremist cells under pressure from ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Fresh attack in Benue

Meanwhile, several people, including a mobile police officer, were killed on Tuesday when suspected bandits attacked Abande community in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred on a market day near the Cameroon border. While casualty figures varied, the Benue State Police Command confirmed five deaths, including a police officer.

Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as “an assault on our shared humanity,” and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Senate raises alarm over Katsina killings

In a related development, the Senate expressed concern over renewed bandit attacks in Katsina State, where at least 35 persons were reportedly killed within 24 hours across four local government areas.

Lawmakers urged President Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to establish a military barracks in the Funtua Zone and warned against negotiating with armed groups.

Army debunks Ebonyi killings claim

Separately, the Nigerian Army dismissed reports that two soldiers were killed and a patrol vehicle burnt in Ebonyi State, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The Cantonment Commander, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Chielo, said no soldier was killed during the joint security operation in Oso Edda, assuring residents of sustained efforts to restore peace.