How terrorists killed 75 Muslems for refusing to accept radical doctrine in Kwara communities
Fresh details have emerged on how terrorists killed 75 residents of two communities in Kwara State.
The attacks on Tuesday took place in Worro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
A younger brother to the traditional ruler of Woro, Ali Umar, told journalists on Wednesday that the attackers invaded his community shortly after 5pm.
This is as Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who arrived Kaiama on Wednesday night in company with Service Chiefs and Kwara State Executive Council members, also confirmed that 75 local Muslims were massacred simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine.
Umar said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and surrounded the community before opening fire from different directions.
He said: “They came around 5pm and completely surrounded the community.
“They started shooting sporadically from all angles so nobody could escape.”
He explained that residents who attempted to flee were shot, while those who surrendered were gathered at the palace of the village head, where they were tied up and shot.
Umar further revealed that the wife of the traditional ruler of the community, Hauwa Umar, his mother, and three of his children were among those abducted during the attack.
He said: “The chief’s wife, his mother, and three of his children are missing.
“That makes five people from his household unaccounted for.”
Umar said the community was thrown into panic, with many residents fleeing their homes and leaving the town almost deserted.
He added: “The people were scared and the community is now nearly empty.
“What we need now is increased security presence to restore confidence and allow people to return.”
He noted that there had been prior intelligence report of possible attack, which was reportedly communicated to the local government authorities and shared with higher levels of government.
Umar added that some soldiers had earlier patrolled the area on the day of the attack, saying this had initially deterred the terrorists.
Governor Abdulrazaq described the incident as a deliberate and brutal assault on peaceful worshippers who refused to compromise their beliefs.
Abdulrazaq stated that the victims were targeted because they declined to submit to the demands of the attackers, whom he described as violent extremists bent on spreading a strange and dangerous ideology in the area.
The governor said: “At least 75 local Muslims were massacred in cold blood simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine. I condemn the attack and share in the grief of the community.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved immediate deployment of an army battalion to prosecute counter offensives codenamed ‘Operation Savannah Shield’ in the area to flush out the terrorist elements and prevent further attacks on our citizens.
“Our administration will continue to work with the security agencies to rid our communities of these unGodly and misguided criminals.
He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and to the Emir of Kaiama, Omar Mu’azu (Bagidi Kiyaru IV), saying the state stands with the affected communities in their moment of grief.
