Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the determination of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to restore peace in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State attacked by terrorists on Tuesday February 3.
Shettima gave the assurance on Saturday when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State over the deadly terrorist attack that claimed many lives.
He said President Tinubu already ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to Kaiama, adding that all hands are on deck to rid the affected communities and the entire state of insecurity.
Shettima disclosed that Tinubu also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise all resources in partnership with the Kwara Emergency Management Agency to provide succour and support to the distress communities.
“Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State by extension over the tragedy that befell our communities of Woro and Nuku in the evening of Tuesday, February 3.
“That tragic killings had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of the communities that were dedicated to building peaceful livelihood, while they practised their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam has instructed.
“Please, accept our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. A battalion of the Nigerian Army has been deployed to Kaiama and all hands are on deck to ensure that peace and tranquility are restored back to those communities.
“Security issues are sensitive issues. We do not have to divulge most of the actions that have been taken by our security establishment.”
Earlier, the Chairman, North East Governors Forum, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, extended the condolences and sympathies of the North East Governors to the people and government of Kwara over the tragedy.
“On behalf of the governors of the North Eastern states of Nigeria, I want to convey our deepest condolences to His Excellency, the governor of Kwara, the Emir of Kaiama and indeed the entire Kaiama community over what has happened.
“As Muslims, we believe in destiny and it is our sincere hope that by God’s Grace, this act will not happen again.
“Our prayers are with you and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive those that have lost their lives and will grant them Aljannah firdaus, ” Zulum prayed.
Responding, AbdulRazaq, commended the swift response of the Federal Government to the incident, adding that troops are already on ground and ‘Operation Savannah’ Shield is in motion.
“We truly appreciate the response of the Federal Government and representatives of NEMA have been on ground since the incident happened.
“We will continue to pray for better situation, better security in Nigeria.
”One is short of words and what to say but we will continue to support our President, the Vice President and our leadership for God to guide them in the affairs of this nation,” the governor said.
Also, the Chairman, Kaiama Local Government, Abubakar Danladi, expressed gratitude to Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima for the immediate deployment of a military battalion in the area.
According to him, “when the tragedy happened, the corpses we recorded were 75 and we gave them a befitting burial. Although after then, we are still discovering corpses in the course of the assignment of the military officers”.
On his part, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Mu’azu Omar, also applauded President Tinubu for the prompt action taken.
“We really appreciate the effort of President Tinubu. Since the incident happened on Tuesday, he has shown concern for us.
”The security personnel and other relevant agencies are adequately deployed to arrest the situation”, the traditional ruler said.
