Turkey slams Kwara terror attack, reaffirms support for Nigeria

The Republic of Türkiye has condemned the deadly terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the incident as a heinous act and pledging continued support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives caused by the attack.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the terrorist attack that took place in Nigeria’s Kwara State. We strongly condemn this heinous attack and extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria,” the statement read.

Türkiye further reaffirmed its commitment to standing with Nigeria against terrorism, noting that it would continue to support the country in its counter-terrorism efforts.

The condemnation follows a brutal assault carried out on Tuesday, when armed attackers invaded the Woro and Nuku communities shortly after 5 p.m. The assailants reportedly arrived on motorcycles, surrounded the villages, and opened fire sporadically from different directions.

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.

However, a resident, Umar, told reporters that the gunmen completely encircled the communities before launching the assault, leaving residents with little or no chance of escape.

“They started shooting sporadically from all angles so nobody could escape,” he said.

According to him, villagers who attempted to flee were gunned down, while those who surrendered were gathered at the palace of the village head.

“People who ran were shot. Those who stayed back were taken to the palace, tied up and shot,” Umar recounted.

He also revealed that several people were abducted during the attack, including close relatives of the traditional ruler.

“The wife of the village head, his mother and three of his children were among those taken away by the attackers,” he disclosed.

The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in rural communities in Kwara State, as calls intensify for decisive action to curb the growing threat of terrorism.