Kwankwaso, Fani-Kayode condemn Kwara killings, urge proactive action to end insecurity

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former New Nigeria Peoples Party presidential candidate has condemned the deadly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the killings as barbaric and warning that the Federal Government must not treat the worsening security situation lightly.

The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday evening, have left scores of residents dead and several communities displaced, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the spread of violent extremist groups into previously peaceful areas of the country.

Reacting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Kwankwaso said he was deeply saddened and horrified by reports of mass casualties in the affected communities.

“I am deeply saddened and horrified by the reported massacre of at least 162 innocent lives in the communities of Woro and Nuku in Kwara State,” he said.

Condemning the assault, the former Kano State governor described the incident as an act of terrorism that should not be allowed to gain ground anywhere in the country.

“This barbaric attack is condemnable in the strongest terms. It was carried out by terrorist elements that must not be tolerated or allowed to fester in any part of our nation,” Kwankwaso said.

He warned that violent groups were expanding their operations beyond traditional hotspots, placing increasing pressure on security agencies.

“As I have consistently warned, the Federal Government cannot afford to treat these developments lightly. These violent groups are steadily expanding their reach into regions that were once peaceful and secure.

“With each passing day, the burden on our armed forces grows heavier, and the need for decisive, coordinated action becomes more urgent,”he said.

Kwankwaso also expressed condolences to the victims and the people of the state.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the entire people of Kwara State, and the state government during this profound tragedy.

“May God grant the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn,” he added.

Also reacting, a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, condemned the killing, describing the incident as shocking and condemnable.

According to him, the perpetrators of the attack were not motivated by religion, noting that both Christians and Muslims were targeted.

The former minister, who is also an ambassador-designate, made the remarks in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, where he expressed sympathy with the Kwara State Government and residents of the affected communities.

“The massacre of over 160 innocent Nigerians in Kaiama LGA, Kwara state, is shocking and condemnable. My heart goes out to Governor Rahman Abdul Razaq and the people of Kwara,” he wrote.

He acknowledged efforts by the state government to address insecurity in the area but lamented the role of internal collaborators in worsening the situation.

“I am fully aware of the efforts that they are making in the state to curb this terrible menace, and it is unfortunate that some internal collaborators are assisting these murderers and are playing politics with the whole situation in an attempt to discredit and rubbish the efforts of both the state and Federal Government,” Fani-Kayode said.

Fani-Kayode, while hailing proactive measure of President Bola Tinubu ordering the immediate deployment of troops, also called for a more permanent security presence in the area.

“I thank @officialABAT for ordering the swift deployment of troops to the area, and I urge the FG to establish a permanent base for the military in that part of the state,” he added.

Describing the killings as an assault on Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty, he called on Nigerians to collectively resist insecurity.

“This is an attack on our fatherland and our people, and we must all rise up, join our hands together, support both the state and Federal Government and collectively resist it. May the souls of those who were brutally murdered rest in peace,” Fani-Kayode said.

The Informant247 had earlier reported that over 100 persons have reportedly been killed on Tuesday when terrorists invaded Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in North Central Nigeria.

The attack, according to locals, occurred around 6:00 pm when the armed men, said to be numbering about 200, stormed the village, shooting sporadically.

The attack is regarded as one of the deadliest assault recorded this year in Kwara State which has been ravaged by banditry, kidnapping amid other insecurity challenges.

The actual number of victims can’t be confirmed as at the time of filling this report, but Hon. Ahmed Saidu Baba, the Gwanabe/Gweria/Bani/Adena constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly told Reuters that at least 170 people were killed during the attack.

A local journalist, who identified himself as Kaiama TV told Informant247 that “the actual number of victims is yet to be confirmed because search is still going on” even as he added that “We personally recorded 162 around 12pm today”.

However, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, later confirmed that 75 residents were killed in the Woro and Nuku attacks. Addressing residents at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama on Wednesday night, the governor said the victims were “local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to carry out counter-offensives against the attackers.

The police confirmed that the assault began at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, adding that security personnel have since been deployed to the affected areas, while investigations into casualties and missing persons are ongoing.