At least 75 residents were killed and several houses set ablaze when suspected terrorists attacked the Nuku and Woro communities in the Kaiama LGA of Kwara state.

Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police spokesperson in Kwara, said the attack on the communities began at about 6pm on Tuesday.

Ejire-Adeyemi said security agencies had since been deployed to the affected areas but noted that the number of casualties remained uncertain, while reports of missing persons are still being investigated.

However, Rauf Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, told TheCable that 75 residents were killed by the suspected terrorists during the attack.

He added that the victims, who were moderate Muslims, were killed for “refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine”.

Ajakaye said the governor arrived in Kaiama on Wednesday night in the company of service chiefs and cabinet members to commiserate with the communities and assess the situation.

TINUBU DEPLOYS TROOPS

According to him, AbdulRazaq, who was received by the Emir of Kaiama, announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion to prosecute counter offensives codenamed ‘Operation Savannah Shield’ in the communities.

The governor had on Tuesday condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly assault on innocent civilians” in the two communities.

He said the incident was likely an attempt by terrorist groups to distract security agencies amid ongoing counterterrorism operations in parts of the state.

The attack comes amid renewed security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, with Washington confirming the deployment of a “small team” of troops to the country.

Dagvin Anderson, the general in charge of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), disclosed the development during a press briefing on Tuesday.

It marks the first public acknowledgement of US troops operating on Nigerian soil since the Donald Trump administration authorised missile strikes against terrorist targets in Sokoto on Christmas Day.

Bandit groups, long active in Nigeria’s north-west, have in recent years expanded their operations into states such as Kwara and neighbouring Niger.

Jihadist groups linked to a Boko Haram splinter faction have also carried out attacks in Kwara, frequently targeting markets and vigilante groups.

The Cable

Ogun State Police have summoned Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode and Otunba Jimi Lawal to appear at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for an interview on Thursday, regarding alleged bribery and financial inducement related to the Awujale stool selection.

This follows the state government’s suspension of the selection process due to security concerns and protests against alleged attempts to buy the throne.

In different letters addressed to the two, signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Gboyega Adeoye, said the invitation was a fact-finding one in pursuance of the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4 (a) of the Police Act 2020.

Lawal who was a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was directed to appear before it on Wednesday, while Adesanya would appear on Thursday.

They were asked to come with their lawyers if they deemed it necessary.

“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of Criminal Justice delivery and fairness,” the letter reads.

However, information had it that those invited could be more than two.

Armed bandits have attacked the Abande community in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the deaths of a mobile police officer and four civilians.

According to the Benue State Police Command, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) was killed during an attack at a police station and residential areas in the Abande community. Four community members also died.

The confirmation was made by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi.

According to Udeme, the remaining four victims were residents of the affected community.

She explained that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, received a distress report on February 3 indicating that suspected armed bandits had launched an attack on police officers deployed to Abande community as well as local residents.

Udeme disclosed that the ASP, who was on special assignment at the community, sustained fatal injuries during the incident, while four civilians also lost their lives in the attack.

She further stated that security forces have since moved into the area to prevent further violence.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary.”

Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately take charge of the situation in Jato-Aka.

“He is directed to go with additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

“The Benue State Police Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and the Abande Community and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area,” she said.