President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State after a lethal overnight assault on Worro community by suspected terrorists.
The President said the troops would spearhead Operation Savannah Shield, a reinforced security initiative designed to eliminate criminal elements, prevent further attacks, and restore safety and confidence among vulnerable rural residents.
Describing the attack as “cowardly and inhumane,” Tinubu condemned the assailants for targeting unarmed villagers and using indiscriminate violence to instill fear.
He stressed that the Federal Government would not allow any part of Nigeria to become a sanctuary for terror or intimidation.
He also expressed indignation that the attackers deliberately targeted residents who had resisted forced indoctrination, noting that the community had chosen peaceful religious practice over extremist ideology.
“It is commendable that the people stood firm in their convictions and rejected doctrines that glorify violence over dialogue and coexistence,” the President said, emphasizing that Nigeria’s diverse faiths and cultures must never be exploited by violent groups.
Tinubu called for close collaboration between federal security agencies, the Kwara State Government, and local authorities to deliver urgent aid to affected families, enhance intelligence operations, and ensure the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
He further directed relevant humanitarian agencies to provide support to survivors and assist in the community’s reconstruction.
The President also prayed for the repose of those who lost their lives and extended condolences to bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Kwara State, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property nationwide.
The directive comes after a large-scale bandit attack on Worro and nearby Nuku communities on Tuesday evening, which left dozens dead and many displaced.
Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen, believed to have emerged from forested areas along the Niger State border, stormed the villages around 6 p.m., firing sporadically and setting homes, shops, and parts of the traditional ruler’s residence ablaze.
Residents fled into nearby bushes as the attackers moved from house to house, causing widespread panic.
Initial casualty reports varied, with local estimates placing the death toll in double digits, while humanitarian agencies later confirmed higher numbers as search and rescue operations continued. Several people were also reported injured or missing.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned the attack as a “cowardly” reprisal by criminal elements under pressure, ordering intensified joint security operations in the affected corridor.
Additional troops and police units were deployed to rescue victims and pursue the attackers.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki also called for urgent federal intervention, describing the situation as a national emergency and urging coordinated efforts to halt the cycle of rural violence.
