Northern Governors Forum Strongly Condemns Recent Killings in Kwara, Katsina, Benue States; Calls for Urgent, Decisive Action

By Tgnews Reporter

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), led by Chairman and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has issued a scathing condemnation of the recent wave of deadly attacks across Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states, labeling the violence as “barbaric,” “senseless,” and a profound assault on Nigeria’s collective conscience.

The statement, released on Thursday by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs) at the Gombe State Government House, comes in the wake of multiple horrific incidents that claimed numerous innocent lives within days.

In Kwara State, suspected terrorists raided the communities of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area on Tuesday night, resulting in a staggering death toll.

Reports indicate at least 75 confirmed fatalities, with estimates suggesting up to 170 victims as recovery efforts continue amid widespread destruction of homes and shops.

Authorities, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, have linked the massacre to extremists targeting residents who rejected radical indoctrination.

In Katsina State, bandits attacked Doma A and Doma B communities in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area, killing at least 20 people.

The assault involved indiscriminate shooting, arson, and property destruction, highlighting ongoing banditry despite previous local peace initiatives.

Separately, in Benue State’s Kwande Local Government Area, gunmen struck Abande community in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district, killing scores including traders at a local market and a mobile police officer.

Community accounts describe attackers opening fire on civilians, looting, and setting structures ablaze.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed profound sorrow for the tragic losses, extending heartfelt condolences to grieving families, devastated communities, and the governments of Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states.

“These heinous acts of violence are unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he stated. “The relentless targeting of defenceless citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, lays bare the inhumanity of these attackers and underscores the pressing necessity for firm and decisive action.”

The NSGF chairman praised the resilience of the affected governors, acknowledging their efforts to aid victims, bolster local security frameworks, and partner with federal forces to restore calm.

He urged Nigeria’s security agencies to ramp up intelligence operations, surveillance, and coordinated offensives to apprehend perpetrators and dismantle their networks, emphasizing that safeguarding lives and property is a fundamental obligation.

“The Northern Governors’ Forum stands firmly with our security agencies and urges them to deploy all lawful means necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice. These crimes must not go unpunished,” Governor Yahaya declared.

Reaffirming the Forum’s dedication, he pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government, security services, traditional rulers, and community leaders to tackle insecurity through enhanced security measures, intelligence-driven strategies, and sustained socio-economic development.

Governor Yahaya prayed for the souls of the departed, swift healing for the injured, and called on citizens to stay vigilant and support security efforts in eradicating criminality.

The condemnations align with broader national outrage, including responses from President Bola Tinubu, who ordered military deployments in affected areas, and calls from lawmakers and civil society for intensified interventions to stem the tide of violence plaguing vulnerable communities.