Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday visited Kwara State, travelling to Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area in the aftermath of a deadly attack that claimed the lives of scores of residents.
The visit was disclosed in a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, who said Shettima’s trip was at the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nkwocha stated: “The President has directed that the Vice President assess the situation firsthand and convey federal condolences to the grieving families.”
The Vice President was received on arrival by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other senior state officials.
Governor AbdulRazaq had earlier described the victims as local Muslims who were “massacred for refusing to submit to extremists preaching a strange doctrine,” while initial reports put the death toll at more than 100 before later updates revised the confirmed figures.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, reportedly followed a rejected attempt by militants to forcibly indoctrinate members of the community.
Nkwocha further said the Vice President, who departed Abuja on Saturday, conveyed President Tinubu’s assurances that the Federal Government would ensure justice for the victims.
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“Vice President 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,” he said.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the attacks on Woro and Nuku communities, describing the assailants’ actions as “cowardly and beastly,” and assuring that military operations were already underway to apprehend the perpetrators.
He confirmed the deployment of an Army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield, tasked with “checkmating these barbaric terrorists and protecting defenceless communities.”
The President also called for closer collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide relief to victims and ensure the attackers are brought to justice.