Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday visited Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following a violent attack that claimed at least 75 lives.
The visit was carried out on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a statement issued by Shettima’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha. He said the Vice President was asked to assess the situation on the ground and deliver the President’s condolences to affected families.
“The President has directed the Vice President to undertake a firsthand assessment of the incident and convey federal sympathies to the bereaved,” Nkwocha said.
Shettima was received on arrival by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq alongside senior state officials.
Governor AbdulRazaq had earlier described the victims as Muslim residents who were “massacred for refusing to submit to extremists promoting a strange ideology,” although early reports initially placed the death toll at more than 100.
The attack reportedly took place on Tuesday night after militants failed in an attempt to forcibly indoctrinate members of the community.
Nkwocha added that the Vice President also carried a message from President Tinubu assuring Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“Vice President Shettima is conveying President Tinubu’s firm commitment that the Federal Government will pursue the attackers until they are identified, arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities, describing the perpetrators’ actions as “cowardly and beastly.” He confirmed that military operations had begun to track down those behind the violence.
The President announced the deployment of an Army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to secure the area and protect vulnerable communities.
He also called for stronger coordination between federal and state authorities to provide relief to victims while ensuring accountability for the attack.
