The head of Woro community in Kwara State, Umar Bio Salihu, has alleged that armed bandits operated freely in the area for about 10 hours before security operatives eventually arrived.
Salihu made the claim during an interview on ARISE Television on Thursday, describing how the attack led to heavy casualties and the destruction of several villages.
According to him, the assailants began their assault around 5pm, but soldiers did not arrive until about 3am the next day.
“I called after 5pm, but they did not come until about 3am. That was from 5pm to about 3am. That is about 10 hours,” he said.
He added that when the soldiers finally came, the attackers had already left.
“The military did not attack them. The bandits had gone when the military came,” he stated.
Salihu also said there was no air support during the incident.
He explained that the community had become vulnerable after soldiers previously stationed there were withdrawn following an earlier attack on the military base.
“Initially, we had a military base there. We had about 15 soldiers there. About three to five months ago, they attacked the soldiers. Since then, they evacuated them. We have no security presence in that area,” he said.
“That gave them the opportunity to come anytime, enter anytime and do whatever they like.”
Salihu claimed the attackers were members of the Mamuda terrorist group, saying the assault may have been triggered by the community’s refusal to accept the group’s ideology.
“Our people are not ready to take that ideology. I think that is what made them angry to come and attack the communities,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the killings were religiously motivated, noting that most of the victims were Muslims.
“The people they killed are mostly Muslims. About 95 per cent are Muslims and five per cent are Christians,” he said.
The village head further revealed that he had earlier reported a threat letter allegedly sent by the attackers to security agencies, but expressed concern that the situation may have been mishandled.
“When they brought the letter, they brought it directly to me. That night, I sent the letter to the DSS in Kiama.
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“The following day, I took the letter myself to the Emirate Council. They photocopied it. In that process, I think they lost the appropriate contact,” he explained.
He added that the attackers may have reacted angrily after security agents went on patrol following the letter.
Salihu said at least 75 people had been buried so far, but warned that the number of deaths could increase as more bodies were still being recovered from surrounding bushes.
He also confirmed that several villages were set ablaze during the raid, including his own house.
“They burned almost half of the villages, including my house,” he said.
Salihu stated that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited the affected communities and ordered the deployment of more security personnel.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to the area as part of a new counter-offensive operation aimed at restoring peace and security.
