President Bola Tinubu on Thursday held an emergency security meeting with the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as national and international outrage mounted over the massacre of residents in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
The meeting came as the United Nations and Türkiye condemned the killings, northern senators demanded a sweeping security overhaul, and the Inspector-General of Police ordered the deployment of tactical teams to the affected communities.
The deadly attack, which claimed at least 75 lives, according to government figures, has triggered renewed calls for mass recruitment of security personnel, expansion of armouries and intelligence capacity, and stronger federal intervention, with lawmakers warning that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity—particularly in rural communities—now poses a grave threat to national stability.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killings.
Guterres stated on his X handle, “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 3 February, in Kwara State, Nigeria.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & to the people & Government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 3 February in Kwara State, Nigeria.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & to the people & Government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Also, the Republic of Türkiye strongly condemned the attack, describing it as heinous.
In a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the terrorist attack that took place in Nigeria’s Kwara State.”
“We strongly condemn this attack and extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria,” the statement said. “Türkiye will continue to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.”
The spate of attacks has renewed nationwide calls for a stronger security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained federal intervention to address Nigeria’s deepening insecurity crisis.
The PUNCH