One person has been confirmed dead after gunmen attacked Koro community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The assault, carried out by suspected terrorists on Sunday afternoon, sparked fear and confusion among residents of the community.
Witnesses said the armed men invaded the area, firing shots indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee their homes. One casualty was recorded as a result of the shooting.
Koro community shares a boundary with Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, within the North-Central region of Nigeria.
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The latest attack comes just days after terrorists struck Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where no fewer than 75 people were killed.
Several houses and properties were also destroyed during that incident.
“The present toll of casualties that we have from that dastardly act that happened on the 3rd of February at about 17:30 hours is 75,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday.
“Investigations are still ongoing,” she added.
Following the wave of attacks, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of troops to the affected areas, condemning the violence amid rising insecurity in parts of the country.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation,” Tinubu said while receiving Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State.
“Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro.
“This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.”