Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Outrage as VP Shettima visits Kwara over bloody massacre, snubs troubled communities

Meanwhile, Mr Tinubu has announced plans for a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026.

• February 8, 2026
Kashim Shettima
Kashim Shettima [Photo credit: BBC]

Several residents in Kwara State have lambasted President Bola Tinubu over what they described as outright disregard for the sacred lives of innocent citizens after a federal government delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima failed to visit Woro and Nuku communities, Kaiama LGA of Kwara, where hundreds of innocent people were massacred last Tuesday.

Following the dastardly massacre which was described as the deadliest in the North-Central state drawing widespread condemnation, Mr Shettima, on Saturday, led the delegation to the state for an on-the-spot assesment of the situation.

However, the delegation only held a brief meeting with the government officials and representatives from Kiama local government at the Government House, without paying a visit to the affected communities to see the extent of the damage and interact with survivors.

Many residents decried Mr Shettima’s action as insensitive and accused Mr Tinubu’s administration of being more interested in politics rather than ensuring safety of lives and property.

A resident, Abdulkareem Abdulkareem, who expressed disappointment over the development, said, “Sadly, the vice president visited Kwara today but could not visit the family of the affected victims in Kaiama. May Allah guide our leaders right.”

“But Emir Kiama was supposed not to go and meet the federal delegate in Ilorin as a sign of grievance and sorrow. Even if they invite him, they cannot just because of that and remove him. If he does not show up, they will ask of him,” another resident, Babatunde Ayowumi, stated.

Idris Bawa, who described Mr Shettima’s visit as pointless, said, “To be frank and candid, what VP Shettima and colleagues did is very wrong. You came to Ilorin because of massacre tragedy that happened, then you guys stopped at Ilorin without visiting the local government neither the community, Woro.”

Muhammad Bukar also slammed Mr Tinubu’s poor handling of the security crisis in the country, noting prevention should be more prioritised than empty visits to communities after attacks.

“What is the benefit of visiting if they have the power to punish these wicked people, yet they refuse to do so? Instead, they just wait until another state is attacked before going there to offer condolences. May God save us from this kind of leadership in this country,” he stated.

Another resident, Abdullahi Samsudeen, queried, “What is bad if he visit the community and check the condition of the place? Ilorin is not kaiama nor Woro village.”

Meanwhile, Mr Tinubu has announced plans for a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III.

The visit, which was announced on Sunday via a post on the official X handle of the British royal family, said the Nigerian leader would be formally hosted by the King and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.

The scheduled visit comes amid escalating killings and kidnapping in different parts of the country, drawing widespread criticism from Nigerians and the international community.

Last year, Mr Tinubu also visited Benue State after terrorists slaughtered over 200 villagers, but refused to visit Yelwata, the epicentre of the deadly attacks, citing heavy rain, flood and bad roads.

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