The head of Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mr Umar Saliu, has called for the establishment of a permanent military presence and a comprehensive security overhaul to prevent recurring terrorist attacks in the area.
Saliu appealed during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, where he described the devastating impact of a recent assault by suspected extremists that has left the community grieving and living in fear.
He disclosed that while the Kwara State Government confirmed 75 fatalities from the attack, the actual number of casualties may be higher as search teams continue to recover bodies from nearby farmlands and bushes.
“As at yesterday, we buried 75, but there are some corpses that are still lying in the bush… some people are running, they shot them, they went and died inside some farmland,” Saliu said.
The community leader criticised the existing security structure, describing it as inadequate to safeguard residents. He alleged that there was a delay of nearly ten hours between the onset of the attack and the arrival of security operatives on the ground, which he said allowed the attackers to operate freely despite aerial surveillance.
“What I am suggesting and requesting the state or federal government is that if they can get us a standard security that will be able to protect the lives of citizens there… I think this situation will be solved,” he told ARISE NEWS.
Saliu also blamed the resurgence of violent attacks on the withdrawal of a former military outpost in the area, which he said previously housed about 15 soldiers. According to him, the removal of the troops created a security vacuum that emboldened the attackers.
“They packed those army and they left that place open. I think that’s what caused all these problems,” he stated.
He further noted that local vigilante groups have been unable to effectively defend the community, alleging that they are often targeted and overpowered by the armed assailants.
“If they see any vigilante, they shoot him, and that is all,” Saliu added, stressing the urgent need for federal government intervention to restore security in the area.
