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By Abdullah Ahmed
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has assured the people of Kwara State of the Federal Government’s solidarity and support following the recent terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, which claimed at least 75 lives.
The Vice President gave the assurance on Saturday while paying a condolence visit to Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin.
He described the attack as an unacceptable violation of the people’s right to peaceful worship and coexistence, noting that the scale of the carnage shocked Nigerians.
Vice President Shettima conveyed the sympathy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the government and people of Kwara State, particularly the affected communities of Woro and Nuku, praying Allah to grant the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus.
“Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State by extension over the tragedy that befell the communities of Woro and Nuku on Tuesday, February 3, 2026,” the Vice President said.
He noted that the victims were peaceful residents who were going about their legitimate livelihoods and practising their faith in harmony, adding that such violence was alien to the long-standing culture of tolerance in Kaiama, Baruten and other Batonu-speaking areas within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Vice President Shettima disclosed that a battalion of the Nigerian Army has been deployed to Kaiama and surrounding communities, assuring that all necessary security measures are being taken to restore peace and stability.
He added that President Tinubu had directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise resources in collaboration with the state government to support the affected communities.
Members of the Vice President’s entourage included Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Senators Ali Ndume, Emmanuel Udende and Ovie Omo-Agege; Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar; and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engineer Jennifer Adighije.
They were received by Governor AbdulRazaq alongside Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North); House of Representatives member, Mukhtar Tolani Sagaya; Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi; members of the state executive council; the Emir of Kaiama, HRH Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar; Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi; and the State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, among others.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their swift response, including the immediate deployment of security forces to the affected communities.
“We appreciate you for coming to Kwara over this sad incident. The response of the Federal Government has been very swift, and we are grateful,” the Governor said, adding that he was deeply disturbed by the scale of destruction when he visited Woro earlier in the week.
He confirmed that police tactical teams led by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police are already on the ground, while troops under Operation Savannah Shield are being deployed to forestall further attacks.
Also speaking, Governor Zulum, on behalf of the North-East states, sympathised with the people of Kwara and prayed for eternal rest for the departed souls.
In separate remarks, the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government and the Emir of Kaiama thanked President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and Governor AbdulRazaq for their timely intervention, condolence visits and security measures.
