Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has condemned the horrific attacks in Kwara State's Woro and Nuku communities, Kaiama LGA, where over 100 people were killed and many homes burned. In a statement released through his Press Officer, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki described the massacre as a "national disaster" and urged President Bola Tinubu to step in immediately ¹ ².
Saraki emphasized that the violence has surpassed the capacity of the state government. He called on the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to direct the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Second Mechanised Infantry Division in Ibadan to deploy troops to the affected areas and establish a permanent military base ¹ ² ³. He also urged all security agencies to collaborate and maintain a strong presence across Kwara to deter bandits fleeing from other North Central states ¹ ⁴.
The attacks, which involved armed men rounding up residents, executing them, and setting fire to shops and the traditional ruler's palace, have left many missing and the community in shock. Reports vary on the death toll, with figures ranging from 35 to over 170, as search and rescue operations continue ⁵ ⁶ ⁷.
Saraki highlighted Kwara's strategic importance as a bridge between the North and Southwest, warning that allowing insurgency to take root there could have serious national consequences. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the recovery of the wounded ¹ ².
The federal government has deployed military and police to the area, but details on casualties remain unclear. The Senate has also called for a military base and additional troops in Kwara South, citing 142 kidnappings and 70 deaths in the past year ⁸.
*What do you think about the federal government's response? Should there be a permanent military base in Kwara, or are there other solutions to the security challenges?*
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