Author: Gist Correspondent

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government will not yield any part of the country to violent extremists.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday in a personally signed statement issued to State House correspondents, following the killing of residents of Worro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Describing the attack as “cowardly and beastly,” Tinubu said those responsible would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice, stressing that they would not escape punishment.

The President disclosed that he had met with the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to receive a detailed briefing on the incident. He said he had earlier ordered the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to Kaiama LGA to stem further attacks and restore security.

According to him, the new military formation will lead Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at neutralising the attackers and protecting vulnerable communities in the area.

“I condemn in the strongest terms this heartless attack on innocent villagers,” Tinubu said, noting that the assailants deliberately targeted defenceless civilians in a bid to spread fear and terror.

The President said it was particularly disturbing that the victims were killed for resisting an attempt at forced indoctrination, describing the attack as an assault on humanity, faith and Nigeria’s shared values.

He commended members of the community for rejecting extremism, stressing that Nigeria would never surrender its people to terrorism disguised as religion.

Tinubu further directed closer collaboration between federal and state security agencies to provide immediate relief and support to the affected community, while intensifying efforts to track down and prosecute the perpetrators.

He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and sympathised with the people and government of Kwara State, assuring them of the Federal Government’s support.

“The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror,” the President said.