Tragedy struck the Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday evening as bandits launched a violent assault, leaving at least 10 villagers dead and several houses in ashes.
PUNCH Online gathered that the hoodlums, suspected to be operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighbouring Niger State, invaded the settlements at approximately 6:00 pm, shooting sporadically and sending residents into a panic.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the casualty figure and the extent of the destruction.
“The bandits invaded the Woro and Nuku in large numbers. About 10 people so far have been confirmed dead, and we are still searching for others who fled into the bush during the attack. Many houses were also set ablaze,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the Kwara State Government expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, noted that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is personally monitoring the situation.
The Governor described the attack as a “cowardly expression of frustration” by terrorist cells reacting to the heat of ongoing security operations in the state.
“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counter-terrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded,” the statement read.
The state government further alleged that the timing of the attack was a calculated attempt to divert the attention of security forces who have recently recorded successes in hunting down kidnapping gangs.
Abdulrazaq extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Kaiama community, assuring them that security forces have been mandated to intensify counter-terrorism efforts to prevent a recurrence.
As of the time of this report, the Kwara State Police Command has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the deployment of additional personnel to the affected axis.
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