President Tinubu Orders Military Response to Kwara Boko Haram Massacre
In a decisive response to escalating terrorism, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorized the immediate deployment of military forces to Kwara State following a brutal Boko Haram assault that claimed 162 lives in Kaiama Local Government Area. The presidential directive came on Wednesday night, February 4, as the nation grappled with one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent months.
Operation Savannah Shield Launched to Combat Terrorism
According to an official statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu has established a new military command structure to spearhead Operation Savannah Shield, a comprehensive security initiative designed to neutralize terrorist threats and protect vulnerable communities across Kwara State. The president characterized the attackers as cowardly and heartless for targeting defenseless civilians in their campaign of violence.
President Tinubu expressed particular outrage that the victims were killed specifically for rejecting extremist indoctrination, noting that community members had chosen to practice a peaceful form of Islam rather than subscribe to violent ideologies. In a social media statement, the president commended the villagers' resilience, stating: "It's commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue."
Details of the Deadly Kaiama Attack
The massacre occurred on Tuesday evening, February 3, when suspected Boko Haram terrorists descended upon Worro village in Kaiama Local Government Area. International relief organizations confirmed the staggering death toll of 162 casualties, marking this incident as one of the most devastating security breaches in Nigeria's recent history. The attack followed increased military operations in the region targeting what authorities described as terrorist elements.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman personally visited the attack site alongside approximately 1,000 military personnel as part of the newly launched Operation Savannah Shield. During his assessment, the governor confirmed at least 75 fatalities while acknowledging that the death count might increase as recovery operations continued. Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, Commander of the 22 Armored Brigade based in Ilorin, assured that security forces had contained the situation and were implementing measures to prevent further violence.
Community Leader Found Alive Amid Tragedy
In a rare positive development amidst the tragedy, community leader Alhaji Salihu Umar, who had been declared missing following the attack, was located alive. The village head of Woro was found during search and rescue operations, providing some relief to the traumatized community. Prominent Kwara-born writer Professor Farooq Kperogi confirmed the development through social media channels, expressing appreciation for the governor's swift intervention and physical presence at the massacre site.
Professor Kperogi emphasized the importance of preventive security measures, stating: "I appreciate the governor's quick intervention and physical presence at the theater of the mass massacre and hope that Operation Savannah Shield works to ensure that this does not happen again. Prevention is always better than reaction."
Broader Security Context in Nigeria
The Kaiama attack highlights Nigeria's complex security landscape, where multiple threats converge across different regions:
- Jihadist Insurgency: Boko Haram and related extremist groups maintain activity in northeastern and northwestern regions
- Armed Banditry: Criminal gangs continue to plague rural communities with kidnapping, looting, and violence
- Intercommunal Conflicts: Ethnic and religious tensions periodically erupt into violence in central states
President Tinubu has called for enhanced collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide humanitarian support to affected communities while ensuring that perpetrators face justice. The president extended condolences to bereaved families and offered prayers for the souls of the deceased, vowing that such atrocities would not go unpunished under his administration.
This tragic incident follows previous security challenges in Kwara State, including recent bandit attacks in Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas that resulted in vigilante deaths and livestock theft. The implementation of Operation Savannah Shield represents the federal government's commitment to addressing security vulnerabilities before they escalate into larger crises.
