Banditry: Kwara attackers are religious extrimists — Police

‎Kwara state Police command says that preliminary findings conducted on the banditry attack in two Kwara communities have revealed that the attackers are suspected religious extremists.

It is recalled that bandits, numbering over 100, attacked Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama local government area of the state on Tuesday evening, killing over 100 residents and kidnapping unspecified others.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Thursday, she said that a full-scale investigation has been launched to track down the perpetrators and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

‎”Preliminary findings gathered at the scene indicate that the hoodlums, suspected to be religious extremists, stormed the community, opening fire sporadically, killing victims while houses and shops were set ablaze.
Sadly, the lives lost have been recovered and given a mass burial.

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‎”A Joint Security Team comprising the Police, Military, and National Forest Guards have since been deployed and is currently on ground to maintain law and order, prevent further attacks, and reassure residents of their safety”, he said.

Also, during his visit to the troubled areas, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was told by leaders of the Kaiama community that the attackers were followers of Mahmuda’s religious sect, who preached a strange ideology and attacked their victims who rejected their doctrine.

The governor, who commiserated with the victims, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and people of Kaiama Emirate over the attack, said that, “from the information we have been getting, these victims were massacred, because they refused to succumb to a strange Islamic doctrine.

“This is different from what we used to see, where subjects were being kidnapped for ransom. This was a pure massacre. We commiserate with you.

“This is a major challenge to tackle now, because it goes beyond Kwara and also to the Kainji Park in Niger state. They have murdered sleep, and I can assure you that within the next month, the whole place will be flooded with soldiers. And the results will be positive, God willing.”

Muazu, for his part, told the Governor that the attackers were followers of Mahmuda who preached a strange ideology and attacked their victims who rejected their doctrine.

He appreciated the Governor for his swift action and support.

The governor has also directed the state emergency management agency to mobilise support for victims of the Tuesday night terrorist attacks in Woro, Kaiama Local Government Area of the State.

The Governor made the directive around 2 a.m. on Thursday following his visit to the community, where he commiserated with the victims, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and the people of Kaiama Emirate over the attack.

Ahead of the visit to Woro, the Governor first arrived in Kaiama on Wednesday night in the company of the House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Honourable Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, security commanders, and senior government officials. The Head of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, and his chiefs also joined the Emir to receive the Governor.

At least 75 people of the Muslim majority village lost their lives and properties to the unfortunate incident that occurred on Tuesday, the Governor told reporters shortly after receiving briefings from security forces and community leaders.

“At the moment, the state emergency services will be going to carry out the enumeration and look for how to take care of the members of the family,” he said.

“We thank the security agencies for doing a yeoman’s job, swinging from one part of the state to the other. As such, the issues in Kwara South have been subdued largely.”

Meanwhile, a sociopolitical group, One Kwara Agenda, has condemned the bandits’ attack in Kaiama, while the group applauded the state government for its swift response.

In a statement, the convener of the group, Dr Olufemi Adetola, said that no citizen should live in fear of such violence, while condemning the acts of terror.

“We particularly wish to commend His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, for his compassionate and proactive leadership. By personally visiting the affected communities to comfort victims and assure residents of government support, Governor AbdulRazaq has shown the empathy, courage, and responsiveness that true leadership demands. His presence on the ground has provided hope and reassurance to communities in their hour of grief.

“To the people of Kwara, we urge continued vigilance and unity in supporting security efforts and rebuilding our communities. Together with the state government, security agencies, and community leaders, we can ensure that such tragedies do not define our beloved state.

“One Kwara Agenda remains committed to standing with the people of Kwara, advocating for peace, and supporting efforts that restore safety and dignity to all residents.

“Furthermore, we call on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to urgently engage with the Kwara State Government and deploy federal security assets to reinforce local efforts in protecting vulnerable communities. The escalating attacks underscore the need for swift coordination between state and federal agencies to prevent further loss of lives and to restore lasting peace in the affected areas.

“We also appeal to all relevant federal security forces, including the military, police, and paramilitary agencies, to intensify intelligence-driven operations in northern Kwara and along border corridors used by criminal elements. A strong, visible, and sustained federal presence, in collaboration with the state government and local communities, is critical to ensuring that residents can return to their homes safely and that perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.”