The United States has condemned the attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as conflicting casualty figures emerged from the incident that has sparked national and international outrage.
While the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.
The US Mission in Nigeria, in a statement on X on Friday, said the attack was “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still missing.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement said.
The mission said “we welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.
The United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye have also condemned the attack.
The President on Thursday had directed the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also deployed tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara Satte expressed hope that the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.
