President Bola Tinubu has vowed that Nigeria will never surrender its people to terrorism or extremism following a deadly massacre in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in a statement he personally signed and issued to State House correspondents.
The President, who described the attack as particularly disturbing, vowed that those responsible would be “pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.”
His statement read:
“Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq @RealAARahman, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. 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.
“Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro. This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.
“It is particularly disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination. As I said, “It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused 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.
“I have 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.
“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.”
