President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following a deadly overnight attack by Boko Haram terrorists on Worro community, where several villagers were killed.
The directive was contained in a statement released from the State House and signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.
The statement said the move was aimed at restoring security to the area and preventing further attacks on rural communities. It added that the deployed battalion would spearhead a new military formation known as Operation Savannah Shield.
Tinubu condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as cowardly and beastly, and faulted the terrorists for targeting defenceless villagers in what he described as a doomed campaign of terror.
He expressed anger over the killing of community members who rejected attempts by the attackers to indoctrinate them into extremist beliefs.
The President noted that the victims chose to practise Islam in a form that rejects violence and extremism.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He directed federal and state security agencies to work closely in providing relief to affected residents and ensuring that those responsible for the killings are tracked down and brought to justice.
Tinubu also prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed in the attack and condoled with families who lost loved ones. He extended his condolences to the people and government of Kwara State over the tragic incident.
