The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has condemned in strong terms the recent terrorist attacks on Woro and neighbouring communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the incident as a cowardly assault on innocent citizens.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters expressed profound shock over the loss of lives and mourned with families affected by the brutal attacks.
The statement noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria commended the resilience and courage of the people of Woro and surrounding communities, who reportedly resisted attempts by terrorists to subject them to ideological indoctrination. According to the DHQ, the communities refused to abandon their way of life and constitutional loyalty despite threats from the extremists.
The Defence Headquarters recalled that the terrorists initially entered Woro village requesting to conduct a preaching and indoctrination session, which was outrightly rejected by the villagers. Following the alert raised by the community, troops were promptly deployed to dominate the area through robust patrols, surveillance and other security measures for about two weeks.
However, the statement said the attackers later returned weeks after the security presence had been scaled down, killing innocent residents in what the DHQ described as a reprisal attack aimed at terrorising the population and intimidating other communities
The DHQ urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their faith in the Constitution and to uphold the shared values that bind the nation together, stressing that unity and resilience remain the country’s strongest defence against extremist violence.
It further called on citizens, irrespective of ethnic, religious or regional background, to resist all forms of ideological indoctrination by violent extremist groups, warning that such groups seek to impose their beliefs through fear and intimidation.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Defence Headquarters assured Nigerians that efforts are being intensified, in collaboration with other security agencies, to track down and bring to justice those responsible for the Woro attack and other terrorist acts across the country. The military also called for sustained cooperation between citizens and security agencies to safeguard communities, individual freedoms and Nigeria’s democratic ideals.
