IGP Orders Security Reinforcement, Manhunt After Kwara Killings

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence resources to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State after a deadly attack that left at least 75 people dead.

The Nigeria Police Force, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, condemned the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, describing it as “tragic and deeply disturbing.”

The statement said the IGP expressed his “heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Kwara State,” while reaffirming that the Force remains committed to its responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

“In response to this incident, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama and surrounding communities,” the statement said.

According to the police, the deployment is intended to restore peace, enhance security presence, and prevent further outbreaks of violence.

The Force also confirmed that a full-scale manhunt has begun for the attackers and their collaborators, noting that investigations are ongoing and all necessary resources have been activated to ensure those responsible are identified, apprehended, and prosecuted.

“The perpetrators will not escape the long arm of the law,” the statement added.

The police appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security efforts by providing credible information through the nearest police stations.

Reports from the affected areas revealed that gunmen attacked Woro and nearby Nuku communities late on Tuesday, killing more than 160 people, setting shops ablaze, destroying the residence of a traditional ruler, and forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes.

Following the attack, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara State to strengthen security in the region.

The President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the move was designed to “checkmating the barbaric terrorists and protecting defenceless communities.”

Onanuga disclosed that the new military formation would take charge of Operation Savannah Shield, adding that President Tinubu condemned the assailants as “heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror.”

The President also lamented that residents were attacked for rejecting the extremists’ ideology and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who visited the affected communities and the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, Muazu Omar, on Wednesday night, described the incident as a “pure massacre.”

AbdulRazaq revealed that at least 75 victims had already been buried, stating that the attackers singled out residents for opposing what he called a “perverted” terrorist doctrine.