Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday led a Federal Government delegation to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following Tuesday’s deadly terrorists attack on Nuku and Woro villages.
He assured residents that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to restore peace.
“As Muslims, we believe in destiny, but it is our sincere prayer that this kind of tragedy will not happen again,” the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who was also present during the visit, said.
The attack, which claimed over 160 lives, has heightened fears over worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State, a region previously considered relatively insulated from large-scale terrorist violence.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the Kwara State government, Shettima said President Tinubu had also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise resources to provide relief to displaced and distressed residents.
“We are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with the government and people of Kaiama and Kwara State over the tragic killings that occurred on Tuesday,” Shettima said as quoted in a statement issued by his Media aide, Mr Stanley Nkwocha.
He described the victims as peaceful residents who were attacked while pursuing their livelihoods, adding that the incident had shocked Nigerians.
While confirming the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama, the Vice President declined to disclose details of the security operations underway, citing the sensitive nature of counterterrorism efforts.
“Security issues are sensitive issues and we do not have to divulge most of the actions being taken by our security establishment,” he said, insisting however that “all hands are on deck” to stabilise the area.
Shettima extended President Tinubu’s condolences to families of the victims and reassured residents that the Federal Government was committed to restoring peace and preventing a recurrence of the attack.
The Vice President disclosed that President Tinubu had instructed NEMA to work with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected communities.
NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, was part of the delegation that visited Kaiama.
The Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, also attended the visit, extending condolences on behalf of governors from the insurgency-hit region.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq praised the Federal Government’s response, confirming that security forces had already been deployed and that a special military operation—Operation Savannah Shield—was underway.
“As confirmed by the local government chairman, troops are on ground. A GOC of the Second Division of the Nigerian Army and a Deputy Inspector General of Police are already in the state,” AbdulRazaq said.
He added that NEMA officials had been present since the attack occurred.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi, thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for the rapid military deployment, while the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Mu’azu Shehu Omar, said the federal response had helped calm tensions in the area.
“We appreciate the concern shown by President Tinubu since the incident happened. Security personnel and relevant agencies are now adequately deployed,” the monarch said.
The Kaiama attack has intensified concerns over the spread of terrorist violence into North-Central Nigeria, amid persistent security challenges across the country despite repeated assurances by the Federal Government.
Other members of the delegation included Senator Ali Ndume, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije, and lawmakers from the Kwara State House of Assembly.
As residents mourn their dead, many are demanding not just condolences and troop deployments, but lasting security measures to prevent further attacks.
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