Islamic militants killed over 100 people in the Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State Tuesday night.
Bandits also killed a number of people after they attacked the Abande community in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, Kwande LG of Benue State. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, however, confirmed the death of 75 persons.
The governor disclosed the figure on Wednesday night while addressing residents at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, explaining that the victims were “local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.”
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion to the area to prosecute counter-offensives code-named Operation Savannah Shield.
Lakurawa, an armed group linked to the Islamic State Sahel Province, is believed to have carried out the attack. The latest development has further put the Federal Government’s security campaign under public scrutiny.
The lawmaker representing the area in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Bio, also confirmed the attack to The PUNCH on Wednesday night.
However, Bio said he was not sure of the fatality figures, citing the conflicting reports from the affected communities.
“There are conflicting reports about the killings. Some of the reports say about 100 people were killed, others say 100 plus, and others say about 160. We don’t have the correct report.
“These are reports coming from the communities, but we don’t have the exact figures. There are killings, but no one can ascertain the correct number. We are calling on the Federal Government to step in and assist us in protecting lives and property. The situation is quite devastating.”
Sources within the communities told The PUNCH that the death toll might be higher than officially acknowledged, with about 70 persons reportedly buried in a mass grave at Woro community on Wednesday afternoon.
Residents said the attackers had earlier moved around border villages in neighbouring Niger State, preaching that locals should abandon Nigeria’s constitution and embrace Islamic law.
One source said, “When they brought the same message to Woro and Nuku, some people challenged them. That angered the bandits, and they opened fire on the gathering, shooting indiscriminately.”
Another resident revealed that the group had earlier attempted to preach in the Baburasa community in Borgu area, but were rejected by the village head.
Some reports suggested the attackers operated from forests around the Borgu axis, with security analysts linking them to extremist elements suspected to be expanding sleeper operations in border communities.
