The Kwara State Government has confirmed the killing of 75 residents in Kaiama Local Government Area, describing the incident as a massacre carried out by extremists.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who visited Kaiama alongside service chiefs and cabinet members, said the victims were targeted for refusing to submit to extremist ideology.
According to a statement posted by the Kwara State Government’s official social media handle, the governor said the victims were “75 local Muslims… massacred simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine.”
The governor commiserated with members of the affected community during his visit and disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved immediate military intervention in the area.
“The President has approved immediate deployment of an army battalion to prosecute counter offensives codenamed ‘Operation Savannah Shield,’” the statement said.
Governor AbdulRazaq was received during his visit by the Emir of Kaiama, as government officials and security agencies assessed the situation on ground.
However, the government’s statement has sparked widespread public reactions, with several individuals on social media questioning the casualty figure and the description of victims.
One social media user, AremuBlack, criticised the report, saying, “There are credible reports saying over 170 people were murdered. Yet, you singled out 75 Muslims. Are you not concerned about everyone?”
Another commentator, identified as Big Noyd, also disputed the figure, stating, “I disagree with this report, because over 200 people were massacred in Kaiama Local Government. Sadly, the Kwara government is not sufficiently proactive.”
Similarly, another user, Jamie, questioned the accuracy of the government’s account, saying, “Over 150 people killed and you decide to downplay it by saying 75 Muslims were killed. If any meaningful change can happen in Nigeria, it is the people that would effect it.”
Reacting to the development, CEOgu said that beyond the disputed figures, the attack raised serious security concerns. “Whether 75 or 106 people were killed, this tragedy was avoidable,” the user wrote, alleging that warnings about suspicious activities in the area had reportedly been issued earlier.
Other commentators also criticised the government’s response to insecurity in the state. Jules_Eby wrote, “History will not remember press releases. It will remember outcomes. It will remember whether leaders acted decisively or hid behind rhetoric.”
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have not released an official casualty figure, while investigations and counter-offensive operations are expected to continue under the newly announced military deployment.
