No fewer than 78 Woro villagers of the Woro community in the Kaiama local government area of Kwara State were given mass burial on Wednesday after savage attacks on them by Boko Haram terrorists targeting soft spots in their blood thirsty campaign.
The bodies of the 78 victims of the attack launched on the rural community by armed bandits on Tuesday were retrieved from the bush and given mass burial after funeral prayer (janazah) on their remains at about 6:30pm shortly before the evening ( magrib) prayer.
According to a state lawmaker representing Gwanabe/Gwaria constituency of Kaiama Local Government Area in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, 78 corpses comprising 75 males and three females were given mass burial in tranches of 10, 15 and 20.
Unauthorized sources said casualties could hit 170 as survivors and security operatives combed bushes in search of fleeing or missing villagers.
It was learnt that over 35 residents were abducted and whisked away into the bush by the extremist set.
The state lawmaker, Ahmed said they have recovered 78 corpses – 75 males, three females and that the janazah was carried out on the corpses around 6:30pm.
I’n the savage attack that left the villagers of Woro community grieving, the bandits launched hours – long assault on the community leader in Kaiama, the bandits also burnt the village head’s palace, shops and residential buildings. Among those killed were children and a Nursing graduate.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government, Kwara State, where Boko Haram terrorists overnight killed villagers in Worro.
President Tinubu said the new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.
He condemned the cowardly and beastly attack and described the gunmen as heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror.
President Tinubu expressed rage that the attackers killed the community members who rejected their obnoxious attempt at indoctrination, choosing instead to practice Islam that is neither extreme nor violent.
“It’s commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue,” he said.
The President urged collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide succour to members of the community and ensure those who committed the atrocities do not go scot-free.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and condoled with those who lost family members. He also condoled with the people and the government of Kwara State, according to a release by Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
