Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has called on the Kwara State Government to urgently establish a state-owned security outfit following the killing of 78 residents during a terrorist attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
The attackers also set homes and shops ablaze during the raid.
Falana made the call on Monday in a reaction to the February 3 attack on Woro and neighbouring communities, where terrorists reportedly massacred dozens of Muslims who refused to submit to a group preaching what he described as a “strange Islamic doctrine.”
In response to the attack, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to curb abductions and killings in the area, while the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, directed the immediate deployment of tactical, operational and intelligence assets to Kaiama and surrounding communities.
However, Falana noted that despite repeated deployments of military and paramilitary forces to Kwara State in the last two years, insecurity has continued to worsen.
Falana, who is also the Chair of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), said decisive local action had become imperative to prevent further loss of lives in Kwara State.
He recalled several instances of security reinforcements, including the deployment of troops, fighter jets, police tracking teams, forest guards and the establishment of new army bases in parts of the state.
“In spite of the apparent militarisation of the state, terrorists have continued to kill and abduct scores of citizens without any serious challenge.”
Falana cited the account of the head of Woro village, Mr. Umar Salihu, who disclosed that the attackers operated for nearly 10 hours before security forces arrived. According to Salihu, distress calls were made shortly after the attack began around 5 p.m., but soldiers only arrived at about 3 a.m. the following day.
Salihu also alleged a possible security breach, stating that he had earlier reported a threat letter to security agencies.
He further claimed that the community had been left exposed after soldiers previously stationed there were withdrawn following an earlier attack.
“We had about 15 soldiers there. About three to five months ago, they attacked the soldiers. Since then, they evacuated them. We have no security presence in that area,” the village head was quoted as saying.
Falana urged the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and military authorities to investigate what he described as a grave security lapse that led to the attack and the killing of 78 people, drawing parallels with the withdrawal of troops before the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi State last year.
As an urgent measure, Falana called on the state government to establish a well-equipped, properly trained state security agency composed of young men and women to protect lives and property.
He noted that similar initiatives in South-West states, particularly the Amotekun security corps, have significantly complemented federal security efforts in combating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
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