Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has condemned the killing of over 200 civilians in recent attacks on communities in Kwara State, describing the incident as a grave violation of human rights and a serious threat to peace and security.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Adams said the scale of the violence was unacceptable and called for urgent action to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
The attacks reportedly occurred late on Tuesday when gunmen stormed two villages in the western part of Kwara State after residents allegedly refused to submit to extremist demands to accept a strange doctrine, according to the state government.
Amnesty International reported that many of the victims were shot at close range, while others were burnt alive. In addition to the killings in Woro and Nuku villages, at least 38 people were reportedly abducted, with several residents fleeing the communities as homes and shops were set ablaze.
Reacting to the development, Adams said such atrocities undermine the social fabric and development of communities and must be prevented at all costs.
He reiterated his long-standing call for the establishment of state police, arguing that a decentralised policing system would have helped to neutralise the attack.
“It is imperative that state police be established without further delay,” he said. “State police would strengthen security presence and operational capacity in vulnerable areas, improve collaboration with local communities for early warning signals, and enhance rapid response mechanisms to deter and respond swiftly to threats.”
According to him, effective intelligence gathering, timely intervention and proactive community engagement by state-controlled police could have played a significant role in preventing the tragedy.
The Yoruba leader also urged relevant authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the massacre, ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, and implement robust security measures to prevent a recurrence.
