Suspected terrorists have killed several residents, including a forest guard commander and five of his men, in a fresh attack on Nuku community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The assailants reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, attacking residents in their sleep and leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
Sources said the forest guards engaged the attackers in a fierce confrontation but were overpowered. At least one commander and five members of the unit were confirmed dead in the encounter.
During the raid, the attackers allegedly set multiple houses ablaze, destroyed motorcycles belonging to the forest guards, and torched police patrol vehicles stationed in the area.The incident has thrown the community into panic, with residents fleeing their homes in search of safety amid fears of further attacks.
A senior police officer at the Kaiama Divisional Police Headquarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying authorities had been briefed.
He urged residents to remain calm despite the devastating situation.Reacting to the development, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed deep sorrow over the killings, particularly the loss of the forest guards who died defending the community.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bashir Adigun, the governor commended the bravery and sacrifice of the fallen guards, noting that their efforts helped repel the attackers and neutralise several of them.
He described the incident as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by terrorist elements and called on the military to strengthen its operational strategies. “Nothing can truly compensate for the ultimate sacrifice made by these gallant men.
They remain heroes, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and communities,” the governor said, pledging government support for the bereaved.As part of measures to address the security challenges, the governor has constituted a state Security Strategy Committee made up of retired military generals and senior security officers to review and enhance security architecture in the state.
The committee is expected to hold its inaugural meeting later on Friday.
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