* Says attacks were premeditated terror, not religious preaching
The National headquarters of The Muslim Congress (TMC) has condemned the recent coordinated attacks in Kwara and Katsina states that claimed more than 200 lives, describing the incidents as a disturbing sign of the growing normalisation of mass killings in Nigeria.
In Woro community, Kwara State, at least 170 people were reportedly killed in what TMC described as a methodical assault that virtually wiped out the community.
In a related attack in Katsina State, no fewer than 21 residents were killed in their homes. TMC said the victims were not mere statistics but families, communities and futures violently cut short.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Amir, Alhaji AbdulWasi’i Bangbala, the organization acknowledged and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift condemnation of the attacks and the immediate deployment of an army battalion to the affected area.
Alhaji Bangbala noted that the response aligns with the administration’s broader security measures, including the declaration of a nationwide security emergency, increased police recruitment and intensified operations that have helped stabilise some regions.
He however stressed that the scale of the killings demands more than reactive measures.
The group called for a strengthened national security architecture, including improved intelligence gathering, faster response mechanisms and clear performance benchmarks for security agencies, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The organisation also rejected claims portraying the attackers as jihadist preachers, describing the Kwara incident as a calculated act of terrorism rather than a religious mission.
According to Alhaji Bangbala, the attackers’ military-style operation, the siege of the village and prior alerts to security agencies indicate a premeditated massacre, with the narrative of “preaching” used as a cover for violence against civilians.
He further expressed concern over what it described as a muted response to the killings, especially from sections of the international community, parts of the mainstream media and some religious bodies.
The group said the limited global attention contrasts sharply with reactions to similar tragedies elsewhere, raising questions about selective outrage and the unequal valuation of human lives.
Describing repeated calls for government action as “exhausting and heartbreaking,” TMC said Nigerians deserve sustained and effective protection rather than periodic condolences.
The group urged citizens to unite against insecurity, noting that violence threatens all Nigerians regardless of religion or background.
Alhaji Bangbala urged the Federal Government to use the Kwara and Katsina tragedies as a decisive turning point by adopting a comprehensive security strategy that tackles not only violent extremism but also its underlying causes, such as poverty, poor access to education and systemic injustice. He said only such a holistic approach can guarantee lasting peace and prevent further loss of lives.
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