At least one person has been confirmed dead after gunmen attacked Koro community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The assault, believed to have been carried out by suspected terrorists on Sunday afternoon, caused widespread fear as the attackers reportedly entered the community with heavy weapons, firing shots indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee for safety. One casualty was recorded during the attack.
Koro community lies close to Egbe town in Yagba West Local Government Area of neighbouring Kogi State, within Nigeria’s North-Central region.
The latest incident occurred just days after a deadly attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where no fewer than 75 people were killed. Several houses and properties were also destroyed in that attack.
Confirming the casualty figure, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the attack on Woro took place on February 3 at about 5:30 p.m.
“The present casualty figure from that unfortunate incident stands at 75, and investigations are still ongoing,” she stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday.
Following the spate of attacks, President Bola Tinubu condemned the violence and ordered the immediate deployment of troops to the affected areas. Speaking during a meeting with Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the President described the assault as inhumane and senseless.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for targeting innocent and defenceless villagers in their failed campaign of terror,” Tinubu said.
He added that an army battalion had been deployed to Kaiama Local Government Area to lead Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at curbing terrorist activities and safeguarding vulnerable communities in the state.