Bandits’ attacks have claimed dozens of lives in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama local government area of Kwara State, as soldiers and forest guards have now taken over the communities, with the death toll rising to about forty persons.
Following the attacks which occurred on Tuesday evening, security operatives were deployed to restore calm and prevent further violence in the affected areas.
A credible source in the local government who spoke with journalists on condition of anonymity confirmed the situation in an interview on Wednesday morning.
“The casualties are over Forty as we speak, and soldiers and Forest Guards have taken over the two communities. It’s such a very sad development at a time we think we are having peace from the bandits’ attacks of the past.” she said.
Recall that bandits in a renewed onslaught attacked the two communities of Woro and Nuku in the Kaiama local government area of Kwara State on Tuesday evening.
According to media reports, many families lost their loved ones in the violent incident, while several houses were reportedly set ablaze by the attackers.
Credible sources told media reports that the bandits from neighbouring Niger State villages came to preach to residents in the two communities that they should abandon the Nigerian constitution and embrace the Qur’an.
It was further gathered that the bandits had been moving around neighbouring Niger State villages preaching the same message before they infiltrated the affected communities in Kaiama local government of Kwara State.
Bandits opened fire after dissent during sermon
During the sermon, there were dissent voices to the preaching which angered the bandits, prompting them to open gunshots on the congregation.
“The angry bandits open attack indiscriminately on the congregation, and no fewer than forty residents of the two communities died; few of them escaped.
They should be preparing mass burial for them as we speak, “said the local source who pleaded not to be mentioned in print.
Meanwhile, the state government, through a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the bandits’ attack.
The CPS to the Kwara State governor said that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq mourned the victims of the Kaiama attack, adding that security forces had continued to strengthen counterterrorism operations.
“Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is saddened by the cowardly attack on civilians in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area.
“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded.”
“Governor AbdulRazaq says the attack was apparently to distract the security forces who have successfully hunted down several terrorist and kidnapping gangs across many parts of the state.
“The Governor expresses heartfelt condolences to Woro and Nuku communities on the sad incident, especially the families affected in the Tuesday attack”, he said.
