Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has intensified security surveillance and coordination in border communities, particularly in Ora and adjoining areas, to forestall any spillover of violence from Kwara State into the state.

The Guardian reported that terrorists carried out a gruesome killing of innocent citizens in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.

The Red Cross in Kwara placed the number of casualties at 162, with many recuperating in hospitals after suffering varying degrees of injury.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke sympathised with the government and people of Kwara State, particularly Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the families of the victims affected by the unfortunate incident.

“I am deeply saddened by the reports of the mass killing of innocent Nigerians in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama. On behalf of the government and people of Osun State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kwara State over this painful tragedy,” Adeleke said.

“The people of Osun stand in solidarity with Kwara at this difficult time. We mourn with the bereaved families and pray that Almighty God grants them the strength to bear this irreparable loss, while healing those who sustained injuries.”

He commended the prompt intervention of security agencies and urged sustained collaboration among neighbouring states, traditional institutions, and security formations to decisively tackle violent crimes and protect lives and property.

Adeleke prayed for peace and stability in Kaiama and across Kwara State, reaffirming Osun State’s commitment to regional cooperation and proactive security measures.

President Tinubu deploys battalion in Kwara

President Bola Tinubu has described the terrorist attack in Kwara as cowardly and beastly, saying the gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. “Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation,” he said in a statement.

Deploying an army battalion, he said the new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.

He stated that it was disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination.

He commended the community members for refusing to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.

“Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith,” he said.

Tinubu said he had further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. “They will not go scot-free,” he said.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror,” he concluded.