Nigeria’s North-Central Attack Death Toll Hits 170
State authorities had earlier confirmed 75 victims received burial in a mass ceremony Wednesday. But by Thursday morning, the body count had more than doubled as recovery efforts intensified.
Saidu Baba Ahmed, the lawmaker representing Gwanabe/Gwaria constituency of Kaiama Local Government Area in the State House of Assembly, revealed the updated figures to media on Thursday, warning the death toll continues climbing.
"Information at my disposal indicated that the casualties have risen to 170. So, our people are still in the bush searching for more bodies. 35 women were abducted. Survivors are also taking refuge in the bush," he said.
The catastrophic violence prompted swift condemnation from former Kwara governor and ex-Senate president Bukola Saraki, who late Wednesday characterized the killings as a national crisis. The carnage exceeded state-level response capabilities and demanded immediate federal government action, Saraki emphasized.
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced Wednesday that "President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion under 'Operation Savannah Shield' to launch counter-offensives against the perpetrators."
Communities along Kwara State's forest border zones have experienced escalating security threats in recent months, driven by bandit activity, mass kidnappings, and armed factions relocating under military pressure from Nigeria's northwest and north-central territories.
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