Fatimah Otunsanya
Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Kwara State on Saturday to visit Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area following a deadly attack that left 75 residents dead.
According to a statement shared by his media aide, Stany Nkwocha, Shettima’s visit came at the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nkwocha said, “The President has directed that the vice president assess the situation firsthand and convey federal condolences to the grieving families.”
The vice president was received by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other state officials upon arrival.
The governor had earlier described the victims as local Muslims “massacred for refusing to submit to extremists preaching a strange doctrine,” while initial reports suggested over 100 fatalities.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, reportedly followed a rejected attempt by militants to forcibly indoctrinate members of the community.
Earlier, Shettima’s media aide also revealed that the vice president, who departed Abuja on Saturday, was conveying President Tinubu’s assurances that the Federal Government would ensure justice for the victims.
“VP Shettima is conveying President Tinubu’s strong assurances that the Federal Government will not relent until those responsible are tracked, apprehended, and brought to justice,” Nkwocha said.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the attacks on Woro and Nuku communities, describing the assailants’ actions as “cowardly and beastly,” and assured that military operations were already underway to apprehend the perpetrators.
He confirmed the deployment of an Army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield, tasked to “checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.”
The President also called for closer collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide relief to victims and ensure the attackers face justice.