The United States has issued a strong condemnation of the deadly assault in Nigeria’s Kwara State, describing it as a horrific act of senseless violence that has claimed numerous lives and left communities in mourning.
In an official statement, the US expressed deep condolences to affected families and welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s decisive actions, including the deployment of security forces to safeguard vulnerable areas and ensure justice for the victims.
The attack took place on Friday, in the Woro and Nuku communities within Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen targeted villagers who had rejected attempts to impose extremist ideologies, leading to widespread devastation.
Conflicting reports on casualties have emerged, with the Nigerian Police Force confirming 75 deaths, while the US Mission and local sources estimate over 160 fatalities, with many individuals still unaccounted for amid the chaos.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for,” the US statement declared.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” it continued, highlighting the international outrage sparked by the incident.
“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.
President Tinubu has ordered the establishment of a new military command under Operation Savannah Shield, with an army battalion dispatched to Kaiama to prevent further violence and restore stability in the region.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq noted that security forces are already on the ground, while the Inspector-General of Police has deployed tactical teams to bolster intelligence and maintain calm in surrounding areas.
This response follows broader international rebukes from entities like the United Nations and Türkiye, underscoring global concern over escalating security challenges in Nigeria’s troubled regions.
