Nigerian Army forces deployed following a deadly terrorist attack have come under fire from residents of the Woro hamlet in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government Area for allegedly neglecting to pursue suspected attackers into neighboring woodlands.
Rather, the locals claimed that soldiers set up roadblocks throughout the neighborhood, harassing and extorting drivers.
The charges come after alleged Boko Haram militants carried out a concerted attack weeks ago that reportedly killed at least 162 civilians and terrified the nearby communities.
Instead of moving into the forests where the terrorists were thought to be hiding, soldiers stayed in the town, a Woro local informed SaharaReporters.
They are simply loitering around the neighborhood; they did not venture into the forest. That is what’s paining the community.
“The soldiers that we believed would go into the forest to combat these terrorists are currently keeping an eye on the movement of vehicles within the town.”
“If you are traveling from Kaiama to Woro at this time, you will see them on the main street. The resident claimed that they set up a roadblock there in order to extort drivers and upset car owners.
According to community members, survivors who anticipated a forceful military operation to find the criminals are now even more incensed about the outcome.
The insufficient security presence was another source of annoyance for the residents of nearby rural villages.
Ibrahim Hammad, the village chief of Baburasa, bemoaned the absence of security.
“In terms of security, we don’t have enough security here,” he stated. This community does not have complete security. We are not shielded by any force.
They had an extremely simple time attacking Woro because of this similar lack of security. We are pleading with the administration to protect our neighborhood. They occasionally send out security guards, but they never stay for the entire day.
Widespread worry was reported by villagers in the Kali, Baburasa, and Gada Oli areas, who said that many now avoid long trips or staying late on farms.
“We no longer go far into our farms,” stated a farmer in Kali village, Musa. Since we don’t know when they will arrive, everyone heads home as soon as it gets dark. Since the Woro incident, when we heard gunshots, no one has been able to sleep soundly.
“Our children always express fear whenever they hear any sound or see any strange movement,” said another resident. We keep one eye open when we sleep. Due to their fear, some families even move to Ilorin or Kaiama. The Woro incident made it clear that we are not safe either.
“How Can We Use Sticks Against Terrorists?”
Residents of the Gada Oli village have been left to protect themselves with crude weapons, according to a member of a local vigilante group.
“How can we use Dane guns and sticks to combat terrorists?” he inquired. They are armed with advanced weaponry. There are no police or soldiers positioned here, so nothing will stop them if they decide to attack us today.
Sani, an elder, cautioned that if immediate action is not taken, there is a chance of another disaster.
“We’re still thinking about what happened in Woro,” he stated. “We witnessed families destroyed, women in tears, and others running with injuries. There is no security here, but the same attackers are reportedly within the nearby forest.
Authorities, according to another resident, only act when violence takes place.
“The government always comes after people have died,” he declared. We demand protection before another atrocity occurs, not condolences.
