Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered the immediate mobilisation of humanitarian support for residents affected by a deadly attack in Woro, Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

The directive was issued in the early hours of Thursday after the governor visited the affected community, where he met with survivors, traditional leaders and security officials following Tuesday night’s incident.

The governor first arrived in Kaiama late on Wednesday, accompanied by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, alongside senior government officials and security commanders. He later proceeded to Woro, where he received briefings from community leaders and security agencies.

According to information presented during the visit, at least 75 residents were killed during the attack, while homes and other property were destroyed. The affected community is predominantly Muslim.

At the palace of the Muazu Sheu Omar, the Emir of Kaiama, the governor expressed condolences to the traditional ruler and the wider Kaiama Emirate, describing the incident as a grave security concern.

The governor confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of additional military forces to the area under Operation Savannah Shield, including a battalion of soldiers to reinforce security operations.

He said the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency had been directed to begin enumeration of affected families and coordinate relief efforts for victims and survivors.

The governor also commended security agencies for their ongoing operations across the state, noting that while previous security challenges in parts of Kwara South had been largely contained, the situation around Kaiama posed a broader threat linked to adjoining areas, including sections of Kainji forest in neighbouring Niger State.

Traditional leaders in Kaiama told the governor that the attackers were linked to a group identified locally as followers of Mahmuda, who reportedly targeted residents that rejected their ideology. Community representatives described the incident as a departure from previous attacks in the region, which were largely associated with kidnapping.

The Emir of Kaiama thanked the governor for the swift response and presence in the community despite his recent travel schedule, saying the visit reassured residents of the government’s commitment to their safety.

The state government said security operations would be sustained in the coming weeks to restore stability and prevent further attacks in the area.