Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has described the recent deadly attack on communities in the state as a “pure massacre”, confirming that 75 victims have been buried.

Mr. AbdulRazaq spoke on Wednesday night during a visit to the affected area and the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar.

“It’s different from what we used to see, where people were kidnapped for ransom. This was just a pure massacre, and it’s something we truly condemn and commiserate with you over,” the governor said.

“Seventy-five have been buried. We are short of words, but we thank the security agencies for their work.”

The attackers struck the Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. At least 75 residents were killed in Woro during the late Tuesday assault, while properties were destroyed in neighbouring Nuku.

Mr. AbdulRazaq said the Muslim community was specifically targeted by the terrorists for resisting what he described as a “perverted” doctrine.

“Because they absolutely refused a change in doctrine, they were attacked and massacred,” he noted.

He vowed that those responsible would be apprehended.

“They’ve murdered sleep, and I can assure you that within the next month, the whole place will be flooded with soldiers,” the governor said.

“Our administration will continue to work with the security agencies to rid our communities of these ungodly and misguided criminals.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has deployed an army battalion to the state to bolster security.

“President Tinubu said the new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities,” the President’s spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement late Wednesday.

Mr. Onanuga condemned what he described as a “beastly attack” carried out against villagers who had rejected the jihadists’ ideology.

The Nigerian military has recently intensified operations against terrorists and armed bandits. Last month, it announced the launch of “sustained, coordinated offensive operations against terrorist elements” in Kwara State.