Crime
President Tinubu Meets Kwara Governor Amid Response to Deadly Kaiama Attack
*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday held a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, days after a brutal terrorist attack claimed over 160 lives in the Worro community of Kaiama Local Government Area.
The encounter follows President Tinubu’s swift directive on Wednesday for the deployment of an army battalion to the troubled region and the launch of Operation Savannah Shield, a dedicated military initiative to combat terrorist elements, secure vulnerable communities, and prevent further violence in the border area near Niger State.
Authorities, including the Kwara State government and security sources, have attributed the Tuesday night assault on Worro (also spelled Woro) and nearby Nuku communities to suspected jihadist fighters, possibly linked to groups like Boko Haram or affiliates of Islamic State West Africa Province. Gunmen reportedly rounded up residents, bound some victims, and opened fire after locals rejected demands to abandon allegiance to the Nigerian state in favor of Sharia law.
Homes, shops, and the traditional ruler’s palace were set ablaze during the hours-long raid, with the death toll rising to at least 162 according to the Nigerian Red Cross and local lawmakers, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent times.
President Tinubu strongly condemned the killings as “cowardly and inhumane,” expressing particular outrage that victims were targeted for upholding peaceful Islamic practices over extremist ideology.
He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between federal and state security agencies to support affected communities, pursue justice against perpetrators, and restore peace.
After the meeting, Governor AbdulRazaq briefed State House correspondents, expressing appreciation for the President’s rapid response. He voiced confidence that the troop deployment and Operation Savannah Shield would deter future attacks, bring calm to Kaiama, and help rebuild security in the area.
The President also called for sustained efforts to address the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central and border regions, where armed groups have increasingly carried out village raids, mass killings, and kidnappings.
Other high-profile figures present at the Presidential Villa included the Senate President, the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and governors from Imo, Kebbi, and Cross River states, though their attendance appeared unrelated to the Kwara discussions.
The meeting underscores the federal government’s intensified focus on curbing the spread of terrorism into previously less-affected areas like Kwara, amid ongoing nationwide security challenges. Search and recovery operations continue in the affected communities, with many residents still reported missing.
More than 23 terrorists have been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, security sources say.
The latest clashes erupted around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area after Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members advancing into the area. The fighting forms part of a fresh wave of hostilities that began about two days ago.
A video obtained by Zagazola Makama shows sustained exchanges of fire as both groups tried to consolidate positions and block the other from expanding influence inside the forest.
Preliminary intelligence puts the death toll at more than 23 on both sides since the latest round began, though exact figures for each faction could not be independently verified.
The violence underscores the ongoing rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. The confrontation has further weakened both groups and disrupted their activities in a long-standing insurgent stronghold.
Security forces are closely monitoring the situation and exploiting intelligence on the factions’ movements. The military continues to target terrorist concentrations, logistics networks and hideouts across the North-East as part of efforts to degrade the insurgents.
Officials have urged communities near the forest to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. The situation remains fluid, with further clashes possible as both sides seek to reposition and reinforce their fighters.
Watch video below:
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area have been rescued.
Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said security operatives are combing surrounding forests and intensifying efforts to free the remaining victims.
He dismissed reports that the 10 rescued corps members were among the 11 persons freed during a joint security operation last week, clarifying that those earlier rescued were other travellers caught up in the same kidnapping incident.
The commissioner added that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Watch the video below:
Suspected terrorists killed four people, abducted four others and injured several more in an attack on Gorau town in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night.
The attackers invaded the community around 9pm and shot 11 residents, according to the village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami. Seven of those shot survived and were rushed to hospital for treatment, while four died instantly.
The assault came barely six days after a boat accident claimed 65 lives in the same community. Na-Batsami said the terrorists specifically targeted families of the boat mishap victims over the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the bandits went from house to house searching for the cash.
Bashir Usman Gorau, the member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the affected families.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned at the time of filing this report.
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