President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday held a closed-door security meeting with the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the State House in Abuja, following a deadly terrorist attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
The meeting came amid rising concern over the scale of the violence, which affected several villages in Kaiama, particularly Woro village. The attackers reportedly targeted residents who resisted attempts at indoctrination, leading to heavy casualties and widespread fear across the area.
Initial reports after the attack put the number of those killed at about 75. However, updated figures from local sources and security assessments now suggest that the death toll may have risen to around 162, making it one of the deadliest attacks in Kwara State in recent years.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who visited the affected communities on Wednesday alongside senior security officials, briefed President Tinubu on the situation on the ground, the level of destruction, and the urgent needs of survivors.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the governor described the incident as a “pure massacre,” noting that entire families were affected and many residents were forced to flee their homes.
During his visit to Kaiama, AbdulRazaq met with community leaders, security commanders, and displaced residents. He also directed the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency to immediately provide relief materials, medical aid, and temporary shelter for those affected by the attack.
The governor stressed the need for urgent federal support to prevent further violence and to restore confidence among residents of the area.
In response to the briefing, President Tinubu approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and surrounding areas to reinforce existing security presence.
The President also announced the launch of a new military operation, code-named Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at neutralising the attackers and protecting vulnerable communities across the region.
According to presidency sources, the operation will involve coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Army, other security agencies, and intelligence units to flush out terrorists and prevent further attacks.
President Tinubu strongly condemned the killings, describing the attack as “beastly” and unacceptable. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property in every part of the country.
“The Federal Government will not allow criminal elements to overrun any community or spill innocent blood without consequences,” the President was quoted as saying.
Kaiama Local Government Area is located in the northern part of Kwara State and shares boundaries with parts of Niger and Benin Republic. The area has vast forests and rural settlements, which security experts say have made it vulnerable to infiltration by armed groups over the years.
Although Kwara State has largely been considered peaceful compared to some neighbouring states, recent months have seen growing concerns about attacks by armed groups in border and forested areas.
The assault on Woro village and nearby communities marked a worrying escalation, both in scale and brutality. Residents said the attackers stormed the villages, attacking people who refused to cooperate or submit to their demands.
Survivors described scenes of chaos, with houses burnt, farmlands destroyed, and villagers fleeing into nearby bushes to escape death.
The attack has created a humanitarian crisis in the affected areas, with many residents displaced and in need of urgent assistance.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the state government had begun distributing food items, medical supplies, and other essentials to victims. He added that injured residents were being treated at nearby health facilities, while arrangements were being made for those who lost their homes.
Community leaders have appealed for more support, warning that many survivors, especially women and children, are traumatised and require counselling and long-term assistance.
“We have lost many people, and those who survived are living in fear,” a community leader said. “We need security, food, and help to rebuild our lives.”
The Kaiama attack has renewed national attention on security challenges in Nigeria’s rural and border communities. Analysts say criminal and extremist groups often take advantage of difficult terrain, weak surveillance, and poverty to establish hideouts and recruit members.
President Tinubu, since assuming office, has repeatedly promised to strengthen security architecture across the country. His administration has emphasised improved intelligence gathering, better equipment for security forces, and stronger cooperation between federal and state governments.
The launch of Operation Savannah Shield is expected to form part of these broader efforts, particularly in the North-Central region.
As security forces move into Kaiama, residents are hopeful that peace will return and that they can resume their normal lives without fear.
For now, the meeting between President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq signals heightened federal attention to the crisis, as the nation mourns the victims and looks toward decisive action to stop further bloodshed in Kwara State.
