The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that 75 people were killed in the recent attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
The confirmation was given on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
Ejire-Adeyemi said the attack occurred on February 3 at about 5:30pm, adding that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
She disclosed that following the report of the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, ordered the immediate deployment of security personnel to the affected communities.
According to her, the response was complicated by the distance of the area, noting that the affected communities are about two hours away from the divisional headquarters in Kaiama.
She said police personnel, working alongside the military and the National Forest Guard, moved into the area shortly after the incident.
Responding to claims that the attackers may have been present in the community before launching the assault, Ejire-Adeyemi said the police were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
She added that recent clearance operations in Kwara and neighbouring Kogi State had disrupted armed groups, stressing that the area had enjoyed relative peace before the incident in Kwara North.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the reinforcement of security in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Ejire-Adeyemi said security has since been beefed up, describing the situation as relatively calm, while efforts continue to apprehend those responsible.
Gunmen had attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities, killing residents, burning shops, and setting fire to the residence of a traditional ruler, forcing many villagers to flee their homes.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, described the incident as a “pure massacre” and confirmed that at least 75 victims had already been buried.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to reinforce security in the state.
