President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, following a deadly overnight assault on Worro community by suspected terrorists.
The President said the newly assigned troops would lead Operation Savannah Shield, a reinforced security initiative aimed at rooting out criminal elements, preventing further attacks, and restoring confidence among vulnerable rural populations in the area.
Describing the attack as cowardly and inhumane, Tinubu condemned the assailants for targeting unarmed villagers and using indiscriminate violence to spread fear, emphasizing that the Federal Government would not allow any part of Nigeria to become a haven for terror or intimidation.
He also expressed outrage that the attackers specifically targeted residents who 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, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity of faiths and cultures must never be exploited by violent groups.
Tinubu called for close coordination between federal security agencies, the Kwara State Government, and local authorities to provide urgent relief to affected families, strengthen intelligence gathering, and ensure swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators.
He further directed relevant humanitarian agencies to support survivors and assist the community in rebuilding efforts.
The President also prayed for the repose of those who lost their lives and extended condolences to bereaved families, as well as to the government and people of Kwara State, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property nationwide.
The directive follows a large-scale bandit attack on Worro and neighboring Nuku communities on Tuesday evening, which left scores 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 attackers moved from house to house, causing panic and chaos.
Early casualty reports varied, with local estimates placing the death toll in double digits, while humanitarian agencies later confirmed higher numbers as search and rescue efforts continued. Several people were also reported injured or missing.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned the attack as a “cowardly” reprisal by criminal groups under pressure, ordering intensified joint security operations across the affected corridor. Additional troops and police units were deployed for rescue and pursuit of the attackers.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki also called for urgent federal intervention, describing the situation as a national emergency and urging coordinated action to stop the cycle of rural violence.
