Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The United States, United Nations, the African Union and the Republic of Türkiye have vehemently condemned the senseless attack and killings of people in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
They described killing as horrific, barbaric and tragical.
Truth Live News reports that there are conflicting figures in the number of deaths. While the Nigerian Police Force put the death toll at 75, local accounts and international observers say the number of victims is far higher, with the Red Cross reporting that at least 162 people may have been killed and several others still missing.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria said it was deeply disturbed by the scale of the violence, noting that the full extent of the loss was yet to be known.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State, 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 and communities affected by this senseless violence”, the statement said.
The US also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s response to the killings, welcoming his directive for the immediate deployment of security forces to the affected areas.
“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,” the statement added.
For the United Nations, the African Union and the Republic of Türkiye, they have sued for accountability and stronger protection for vulnerable communities.
In the aftermath of the attack, President Tinubu approved the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and authorised the creation of a new military command to coordinate operations in the area.
The move, according to the Presidency, is aimed at restoring calm and preventing further bloodshed.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence units to Kaiama and neighbouring communities, as security agencies intensify efforts to track down those responsible.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said troops under Operation Savannah Shield had already been deployed, assuring residents that the state government was working closely with federal authorities to prevent a repeat of the violence.
