From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Vice President Kashim Shettima, arrived in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as the Federal Government step-up efforts to address the deadly attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where over 100 people were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists.
Shettima landed at the Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, where he was received by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Senator representing Kwara North, Sadiq Umar, and other top government officials.
The Vice President’s visit followed the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the immediate deployment of a battalion of soldiers to the affected area to restore security and reassure residents.
Speaking shortly after his arrival, Shettima said he was in Kwara on the President’s directive to commiserate with the people and assess the security situation firsthand. He noted that the Federal Government would not allow criminal elements to overrun any part of the country.
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“We are here to stand with the people of Woro and the entire Kwara North at this very difficult time. Mr President has directed that all necessary measures be taken to protect lives and bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice,” the Vice President said.
Governor AbdulRazaq, while receiving the Vice President, described the attack as a painful tragedy for the state and called for sustained federal support to prevent a recurrence. He assured that the state government was working closely with security agencies to stabilize the area.
“The people are traumatized, but the presence of the Vice President sends a strong message that Kwara is not alone. We are committed to working with the Federal Government to ensure lasting peace in Kaiama and its environs,” the governor said.
During the visit, Shettima is expected to meet with key stakeholders, including the village head of Woro, the Emir of Kaiama, local government officials and security chiefs, as part of efforts to coordinate relief, security response and community engagement.
Gunmen had reportedly invaded Woro community last Tuesday, setting houses ablaze and killing over 100 residents, while an unconfirmed number of women and girls were said to have been abducted during the attack.
Seventy-five of the victims were on Wednesday given a mass burial according to Islamic rites, as scores of injured persons were rushed to hospitals. While some of the wounded have since been discharged, others are still receiving treatment.
The attack has continued to draw widespread condemnation from within and outside Nigeria, with calls for decisive action to halt the spread of insurgency and protect rural communities across the country.
