The widespread brutal assaults on several towns in the state’s Kwara North Senatorial District have been denounced by Alhaji Umoru Seriki, the Emir of Yashikira.
Following Tuesday’s assault on two communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, the Emir spoke with Gistcon via phone on Wednesday to express his dismay at the senseless loss of life and property caused by armed bandits.
God alone has the power to rescue us. This is not limited to the Kaiama region; it is affecting all villages that share borders with the states of Niger, Sokoto, and the forests.
Bandits with weapons are targeting Yashikira and neighbouring towns on a regular basis.
“We are confused about our actions and the sins that justify the ongoing brutal assaults on our communities,” he continued.
According to the Gistcon, armed bandits stormed two villages in the Kaiama Local Government Area, Woro and Nuku, on Tuesday night, setting fire to multiple homes and killing dozens of people.
According to unverified reports that have reached Gistcon, the number of casualties has increased to 40. In order to re-establish order after the bandits’ assault, forest guards and soldiers have occupied the towns.
An investigation into the incident revealed that the bandits had invaded the villages in adjacent Niger State with the intention of preaching to the locals that they should reject the Nigerian constitution in favour of the Qur’an.
Rumour has it that the bandits infiltrated the afflicted villages in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government after spreading the same narrative in nearby villages in Niger State.
The bandits became enraged by the congregation’s disapproval of the preaching and began firing on them.
On Tuesday, the bandits’ attack was verified by the Kwara State government in a statement made by Rafiu Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to the governor.
Ajakaye said that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed strong condemnation for the brutal act and expressed condolences to the victims of the Kaiama assault. He also mentioned that the security forces had made significant progress in counterterrorism operations.
“The Governor strongly denounces the attack, viewing it as a fearful manifestation of the terrorists’ anger at the state’s counterterrorism efforts and the progress they have made,” the statement stated.