Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Saturday paid a condolence visit to Kwara State following the gruesome attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, which reportedly claimed no fewer than 75 lives, plunging the state into mourning and renewed concerns over rural security.
The Vice President arrived in Ilorin amid tight security and was received by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside senior government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, and heads of security agencies. The visit was part of a Federal Government delegation sent to commiserate with the victims’ families and assess the security situation firsthand.
Speaking at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, Shettima described the Kaiama attack as a grave violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to peaceful worship and lawful livelihood. He said the magnitude and brutality of the killings had shocked Nigerians across religious, ethnic, and political lines, stressing that such violence was incompatible with the nation’s shared values and collective humanity.
The Vice President disclosed that he was in Kwara State on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally convey the sympathy of the Federal Government to the people of Kaiama, the affected communities, and the entire state. According to him, the President was deeply saddened by the incident and had ordered immediate and decisive actions to restore peace and prevent a recurrence.
“These were peaceful communities going about their legitimate activities—practising their faith and earning their daily bread. What happened here is unacceptable and stands against everything we represent as a nation,” Shettima said, assuring residents that the Federal Government would not abandon them in their moment of grief.
As part of the security measures, the Vice President announced that the Nigerian Army had deployed a full battalion of troops to Kaiama and surrounding areas, while other security agencies were working in synergy to stabilise the region, track down the perpetrators, and dismantle any criminal networks threatening lives and property. He emphasised that the Federal Government would sustain intelligence-driven operations until lasting peace is achieved.
Shettima also revealed that the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, had been directed to immediately mobilise relief materials and resources to support the victims, displaced persons, and affected communities. He noted that beyond security, humanitarian assistance and post-crisis recovery would remain a priority of the Tinubu administration.
In his remarks, Governor AbdulRazaq expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their prompt intervention, describing the Federal Government’s response as swift, reassuring, and morale-boosting for the people of Kwara State. He confirmed that military troops and police tactical teams were deployed shortly after the attack, helping to stabilise the situation.
“We are grateful to Mr President and the Vice President for standing firmly with Kwara at this difficult time. The speed of the Federal Government’s response has sent a strong signal that our people are not alone,” the Governor said, adding that Operation Savannah Shield had been activated to forestall any further security breaches in the area.
The Vice President was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; Senator Ali Ndume; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; and NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, among other senior officials.
Also present were the Emir of Kaiama, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar; Senator Sadiq Umar; Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi; Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi; and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi.
In separate remarks, the Emir of Kaiama and the local government chairman thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for the condolence visit, while commending Governor AbdulRazaq for his swift and decisive intervention in the wake of the tragedy. They appealed for sustained security presence and long-term measures to protect border communities.
The visit culminated in prayers offered by the Vice President for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for lasting peace, stability, and unity to return to Kaiama and other affected communities in Kwara State.
