- Operation Savannah Shield Launched as Tinubu Orders Troops to Kwara Villages After Terror Assault
- Tinubu condemned the attackers for targeting unarmed villagers and attempting to spread fear through indiscriminate violence
- Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned the attack as a “cowardly” reprisal
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in response to a deadly overnight attack on Worro community by suspected terrorists.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the President stated that the newly deployed unit would lead Operation Savannah Shield, a reinforced security initiative aimed at eliminating criminal elements, preventing further incursions, and restoring confidence among vulnerable rural communities in the area.
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Describing the assault as “cowardly and inhumane,” Tinubu condemned the attackers for targeting unarmed villagers and attempting to spread fear through indiscriminate violence. He emphasised that the Federal Government would not permit any part of the country to serve as a haven for terror or intimidation.
The President expressed particular concern that the assailants attacked 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,” Tinubu said, adding that Nigeria’s diversity of faiths and cultures must never be exploited by violent groups.
He also called for close collaboration between federal security agencies, the Kwara State Government, and local authorities to provide urgent relief for affected families, strengthen intelligence gathering, and ensure that those responsible for the atrocity are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.
In addition, the President directed humanitarian agencies to assist survivors and support the community in rebuilding efforts. He offered prayers for the repose of the victims’ souls and extended condolences to bereaved families, as well as to the government and people of Kwara State, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property nationwide.
The directive follows a large-scale bandit attack on Worro and neighbouring Nuku communities on Tuesday evening, which left scores dead and many others displaced. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen, believed to have emerged from forested areas bordering Niger State, stormed the communities around 6 p.m., firing sporadically and setting houses, shops, and parts of the traditional ruler’s residence ablaze.
Residents fled into surrounding bushes as attackers moved from house to house, creating panic and confusion. Casualty figures varied immediately after the incident, with local estimates initially in double digits, while humanitarian responders later indicated significantly higher numbers as search and rescue operations continued. Several residents were also reported injured or missing.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned the attack as a “cowardly” reprisal by criminal elements under pressure from security forces and ordered intensified joint operations along the affected corridor. Additional troops and police units were subsequently deployed to assist in rescue missions and pursue the attackers.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki described the situation as a national emergency, calling for robust federal intervention and coordinated action to halt the ongoing cycle of rural violence.
