Controversy Trails Shettima’s Kwara Visit as Reports Claim Devastated Woro Community Was Not Reached
A wave of controversy has followed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent visit to Kwara State after reports surfaced that he did not reach the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where over 170 residents were reportedly killed in a deadly terrorist attack.
According to multiple sources cited by SaharaReporters, the Kwara State Government allegedly prevented the Vice President from visiting the affected community directly. The report claimed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other state officials advised against the trip, citing distance and logistical constraints.
Sources within the state government reportedly stated that the governor informed the Vice President that the journey to Woro community would be too long and that returning to Ilorin the same day would be difficult. However, some insiders allegedly described this explanation as misleading, claiming that the primary issue was the poor condition of roads leading to the community rather than the distance itself.
Travel routes to Kaiama from Ilorin require passing through parts of Oyo State, including Igbeti and Kishi, before reaching Baruten Local Government Area and finally Kaiama. Reports indicate that many of these roads are in severely deteriorated condition, making travel challenging and potentially embarrassing for visiting high-ranking officials.
One source expressed disappointment that the Vice President was unable to visit the grieving community directly, stating that local stakeholders were instead brought to Ilorin to meet him. Critics questioned why alternative arrangements, such as air transport, were not provided to enable a direct visit to the affected area.
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Another source claimed that traditional and local government leaders from Kaiama had travelled to Ilorin in anticipation of the Vice President’s arrival. It was also reported that Shettima’s stay in Ilorin was brief before he departed for Owerri to attend events marking Imo State’s 50th anniversary.
The development has triggered discussions about the handling of condolence visits and the broader issue of political response during national tragedies. Some commentators argue that physical presence in affected communities carries symbolic importance, offering reassurance and solidarity to grieving residents.
Meanwhile, during his visit to Kwara State, Vice President Shettima stated that he was acting on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey the Federal Government’s sympathy to the affected communities and the people of the state. He described the killings as deeply disturbing and condemned the violence as an unacceptable assault on peaceful citizens.
The Vice President also announced that a battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to Kaiama and surrounding areas to pursue those responsible and prevent further attacks. He added that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, had been directed to provide support and relief to affected residents.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while responding during the visit, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for what he described as a swift security response, including the deployment of military and police personnel to the region.
However, separate reports from residents in Kaiama Local Government Area suggest that warnings about suspicious movements of armed groups had been raised months before the attack. Some community members claimed that alerts were sent to traditional authorities and government officials but that no decisive action was taken.
These claims have intensified public scrutiny of both federal and state responses to the incident. Observers say the situation highlights ongoing concerns about rural security, infrastructure challenges, and emergency response coordination across different levels of government.
As discussions continue nationwide, the tragedy in Woro and the circumstances surrounding the Vice President’s visit have become part of a broader conversation about leadership accountability, crisis management, and the role of government in responding to security threats and humanitarian crises.