Tinubu deploys troops to Kwara communities after deadly terrorist attack

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama LGA of Kwara state following the deadly attack by suspected terrorists on the Nuku and Woro communities on Tuesday.

Rauf Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara State, told TheCable that 75 residents were killed by the suspected terrorists during the 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.