Tinubu deploys army battalion to Kwara after deadly attack leaves dozens dead

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following a deadly attack by suspected terrorists on two communities in the area.

The affected communities, Nuku and Woro, came under assault on Tuesday in what has been described as one of the most devastating security incidents in the state in recent times.

Rauf Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed the development, revealing that at least 75 residents were killed during the coordinated attack.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, quoted Tinubu as saying the new military command will spearhead “Operation Savannah Shield” to “checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities”.

Onanuga noted that the president “condemned the cowardly and beastly attack” and described the gunmen as “heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror”.

“President Tinubu expressed rage that the attackers killed the community members who rejected their obnoxious attempt at indoctrination, choosing instead to practice Islam that is neither extreme nor violent,” the statement reads.

“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.”

Onanuga said President Tinubu urged collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide succour to affected residents and “ensure those who committed the atrocities do not go scot-free.”

“President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and condoled with those who lost family members. He also condoled with the people and the government of Kwara State,” he added.