Kaiama Killings: AbdulRazaq Meets Tinubu At Presidential Villa

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday evening met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following the deadly attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

Naija News reports that the governor arrived at the Villa at about 5pm, our correspondent observed.

Thursday’s meeting comes days after suspected jihadist fighters killed no fewer than 100 people in several communities in Kaiama Local Government Area.

On Tuesday evening, gunmen suspected to be members of a faction linked to Boko Haram stormed Worro and Nuku villages, killing residents and setting houses, shops, and the palace of the traditional ruler ablaze.

The Emir of Worro, Saliu Umar, was said to be missing as of Thursday, while his two wives, several of his children, the Chief Imam of the community, a school principal, and some students were among those killed during the attack.

Reports indicated that the assault was carried out in retaliation after residents allegedly rejected attempts by the extremists to compel them to attend sermons and embrace their radical ideology.

It was further gathered that the Emir had earlier alerted military authorities to the presence and activities of the terrorists in the area.

In response to the killings, President Tinubu on Wednesday ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the establishment of a new military command to spearhead Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at countering terrorist activity and safeguarding vulnerable communities in the region.

The President condemned the attack, describing it as cowardly and inhumane, and expressed anger that residents were targeted for rejecting extremist ideology in favour of peaceful Islamic practice.

Tinubu also called for closer collaboration between federal and state authorities to support affected communities and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

AbdulRazaq, who visited Kaiama on Wednesday night alongside service chiefs and members of the state cabinet, described the attack as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following ongoing counterterrorism campaigns” in parts of the state.