President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Wednesday ordered the deployment of a military battalion to parts of Kwara State following a deadly attack on Kaiama Local Government Area that left scores of residents dead.
The directive, which also includes the appointment of a field commander and the immediate commencement of a military operation tagged Operation Savanna Shield, was disclosed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a post on his X handle, @aonanuga1956.
He said the intervention was aimed at providing immediate relief to affected communities and restoring security in the area.
He wrote: “Help is on the way for the beleaguered people of Kaiama and others as President Tinubu orders the deployment of a military battalion, the appointment of a commander and the start of Operation Savanna Shield.”
The federal action followed a brutal attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where residents reportedly recovered the bodies of 78 persons killed by armed bandits who invaded the rural settlement on Tuesday.
The victims were buried on Wednesday evening after funeral prayers (janazah) were held around 6:30 p.m., shortly before the evening (magrib) prayers.
The lawmaker representing Gwanabe/Gwaria constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saidu Baba Ahmed, who witnessed the burial rites, confirmed the casualty figures.
He said the deceased included 75 males and three females, adding that 35 residents were abducted and taken into the bush by the attackers.
The launch of Operation Savanna Shield is expected to strengthen federal security presence in the area, stabilise affected communities and prevent further attacks, as residents continue to mourn the victims of the raid.
