The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has condemned the reported killing of over 200 civilians in parts of Kwara State, describing the incident as a serious abuse of human rights and a growing threat to national security.
In a statement released on Thursday, Adams expressed deep concern over the attack and urged authorities to take urgent action to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Reports indicate that the assault happened late Tuesday when armed men invaded Woro and Nuku communities in the western axis of the state. The Kwara State Governor reportedly said the attackers struck after residents refused to submit to extremists preaching what he described as an unfamiliar doctrine.
Amnesty International also reported that several victims were shot at close range, while others were allegedly burnt to death.
Aside from the fatalities, the attack reportedly led to the abduction of at least 38 people, the displacement of residents, and the destruction of properties, including homes and shops set ablaze.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the affected areas and attributed the violence to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
Reacting, Adams renewed his call for the establishment of state police, insisting that decentralised policing would improve security response and help prevent such tragedies.
He stated that state police would boost security operations in vulnerable regions, strengthen cooperation with local communities for early warning signals, and improve rapid response efforts to stop attacks before they escalate.
According to him, better intelligence gathering, timely intervention, and stronger community engagement through state-controlled security structures could have helped avert the massacre.
Adams further appealed to security agencies and government authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation, arrest those responsible, and enforce stronger security measures to prevent a similar incident in the future.
