Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Kwara State on Saturday to visit Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area, following a devastating attack that killed over 160 people.
According to a statement sent by his media aide, Stany Nkwocha, Shettima’s visit was ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
Nkwocha went on: “The President has directed that the vice president assess the situation firsthand and convey federal condolences to the grieving families.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other state authorities met the vice president upon his arrival.
The governor had previously described the victims as local Muslims “massacred for refusing to submit to extremists preaching a strange doctrine,” despite initial reports indicating over 160 deaths.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday night, allegedly followed a failed attempt by militants to forcibly indoctrinate members of the village.
Earlier, Shettima’s media assistant stated that the vice president, who left Abuja on Saturday, was expressing Tinubu’s promises that the Federal Government will secure justice for the victims.
“VP Shettima is conveying President Tinubu’s strong assurances that the Federal Government will not relent until those responsible are tracked, apprehended, and brought to justice,” Nkwocha said.
President Tinubu had already criticized the attacks on the Woro and Nuku communities, calling the attackers’ actions “cowardly and beastly,” and stating that military efforts were already underway to apprehend the offenders.
He acknowledged the deployment of an Army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield, which is charged with “checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.”
The President also urged for more collaboration between federal and state agencies to assist victims and ensure that the attackers face justice.
