The recent tragedy in the Woro community of Kwara State has once again brought the fragile state of Nigeria’s rural security into sharp focus. Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a prominent political figure and former presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced strong concerns over the incident, describing it as a painful reminder of how vulnerable rural populations have become. Hashim warned that the country is reaching a dangerous point where mass violence could become a regular occurrence without any meaningful intervention from the state.
In a candid statement released over the weekend, Hashim argued that the sheer scale of the Woro massacre demands more than just the usual messages of sympathy from the government. He insisted that the time for mere condolences has passed and that what Nigerians need now is real accountability. He even went as far as calling on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to step in and investigate, particularly to find out why early warnings and intelligence about the attack were reportedly overlooked by those in charge.
One of the most pressing questions raised by Hashim involves the apparent lack of aerial support during the hours-long assault. He pointed out that with the Nigerian Air Force stationed along the Wawa New Bussa axis—a distance he claims is less than fifteen minutes away by flight, it is difficult to accept “remoteness” as an excuse for the slow response. He questioned how a military that has historically shown the capacity to intervene in regional crises, such as saving the presidency in the Benin Republic or stopping civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, could fail to protect its own citizens within its borders.
The details surrounding the lead-up to the attack are equally troubling. Reports suggest that the attackers actually sent a threat letter to the community beforehand, and the authorities were notified. Hashim challenged the military high command to explain why security forces were reportedly deployed and then withdrawn just before the carnage began. He noted that the state’s tendency to arrive only after the perpetrators have fled is a recurring tragedy that is rapidly destroying the trust between the government and the governed.
Hashim warned that if the state continues to fail in its primary duty of protection, desperate communities may be forced to resort to self-help. This could lead to the rise of unregulated vigilante groups, ethnic profiling, and a general slide into deeper social instability. He stressed that the Woro killings should not be viewed as an isolated event but rather as a warning sign that insecurity is expanding across the North Central corridor, especially in areas bordering Niger State and the Kainji Lake region.
To prevent Kwara State from becoming the next major frontline for banditry, Hashim is advocating for immediate reforms. These include the establishment of rapid-response systems, better aerial surveillance, and the creation of forward operating bases in high-risk border zones. He concluded by stating that Nigeria must never allow itself to normalize these massacres, stressing that when a village can be under siege for hours without a state response, it is nothing short of a national emergency.
