Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday visited Kwara State to commiserate with residents over the recent attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, which left at least 75 people dead.

Speaking at Government House in Ilorin, Shettima described the incident as a grave violation of citizens’ right to practise their faith peacefully, saying the scale of the violence had shocked Nigerians nationwide.

The vice president said he was in the state on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey the President’s condolences to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people of Kaiama and residents across Kwara State.

“This tragedy has shaken the conscience of the nation,” Shettima said, adding that the victims were peaceful members of their communities who were going about their livelihoods and religious practices.

He noted that the affected areas had historically been known for religious tolerance, describing the attack as an intrusion of extremist violence alien to the region’s traditions.

Shettima confirmed that a battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to the area as part of Operation Savannah Shield, alongside enhanced police tactical operations, to restore security and prevent further attacks.

He added that while details of security operations could not be publicly disclosed, all relevant agencies had been mobilised to stabilise the area and protect lives.

The vice president also disclosed that the President had directed the National Emergency Management Agency to work with Kwara State authorities to provide humanitarian support to affected families and communities.

Governor AbdulRazaq, in his response, thanked the President and Vice President for what he described as a swift federal response, including the deployment of soldiers and senior police officers to the area.

He said he was personally disturbed by the scale of destruction when he visited Woro earlier in the week and confirmed that troops under Operation Savannah Shield were already taking positions to secure Kaiama and surrounding communities.

“As you arrived this morning, senior military and police commanders were already on ground, alongside emergency response officials,” the governor said, adding that federal intervention had helped calm tensions.

The vice president’s delegation included Babagana Umara Zulum, Ali Ndume, Ovie Omo-Agege, and Zubaida Umar, among other senior officials.

They were received by Governor AbdulRazaq alongside lawmakers, members of the state executive council, traditional rulers including the Muazu Sheu Omar, and local government officials.

Speaking separately, Governor Zulum offered prayers for the victims on behalf of northeastern states, while the Emir of Kaiama and the chairman of Kaiama Local Government expressed appreciation for the federal government’s intervention and the condolence visit.