A former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has condemned the deadly attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the incident as a national emergency that requires urgent and direct federal intervention.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, Saraki said the scale and pattern of violence in parts of Kwara State had overwhelmed the capacity of the state government.
“Yesterday’s killing of over 100 people in Woro community, Kaiama Local Government Area, is a national disaster. What we are witnessing in parts of Kwara State—particularly in the northern and southern senatorial districts—has gone beyond the capacity of the state government and now requires decisive, direct federal intervention,” he said.
Saraki called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately step in by deploying more security personnel and establishing a permanent security base in the affected areas.
“There is also the need for other security agencies to work together and have a strong presence across our state. That is the only way we can deter these assailants,” he said.
He warned that insurgents fleeing intensified military operations in other parts of the North Central zone must not be allowed to regroup in Kwara State.
“The insurgents who are running away from the firepower of the security agencies in other states in the North Central zone should not be allowed to find a comfort zone in Kwara State,” Saraki added.
The former Senate President stressed the strategic importance of Kwara, describing it as a critical link between the North and the South-West, with an international boundary with the Republic of Benin.
“Kwara State occupies a strategic position as the gateway between the North and the South-West, and it also shares a border with the Republic of Benin. Allowing insecurity to fester here poses a serious national risk,” he said.
Saraki also expressed sympathy to the victims and their families.
“My sympathy goes to the people of the Woro community, particularly the families that lost their loved ones. May Almighty Allah (SWT) comfort them and grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss. May He also heal all those who were wounded,” he stated.
He cautioned against treating the attack as a routine security incident or mere subject of public commentary, insisting that firm action must be taken to prevent a recurrence.
“There must be decisive measures to stop this orchestrated violence against the people. What these criminals did in Woro was to wage war against Nigeria. It is a war the country must win, without delay,” Saraki said.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had earlier confirmed that at least 75 residents were killed in attacks on Woro and Nuku communities after locals resisted extremists attempting to impose a “strange doctrine” on them.
The governor disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to launch counter-offensives against the attackers.
The police also confirmed that the attack began around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, noting that security personnel have since been deployed to the affected areas, while investigations into casualties and missing persons are ongoing.
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