The United States has voiced strong disapproval over a brutal assault targeting villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where discrepancies in the number of fatalities have intensified both domestic and global concerns.
The assault on Woro and Nuku communities has resulted in conflicting casualty figures, with the Nigerian Police Force reporting 75 deaths, while local sources and international observers estimate the death toll to be significantly higher.
The United States has condemned the attack, describing it as “horrific”.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for,” the US Mission in Nigeria stated on its official X handle on Friday.
The US Mission expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims, saying, “We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence”.
The statement welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.
Persecondnews recalls that President Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also deployed tactical and intelligence teams to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence.
Security forces are already on the ground, and the governor has imposed curfews and temporarily closed schools in the affected areas.
The attack has drawn condemnation from the United Nations, the Republic of Türkiye, and the African Union, which have all expressed solidarity with the Nigerian government and people.
The international community is calling for accountability and justice for the victims.
The US Mission added:”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 attack highlights the growing security challenges in Nigeria, with violent groups linked to Boko Haram and ISIL operating in the region.
The government has stepped up cooperation with Washington to improve security.
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