A Visit Too Late? A Deep Dive into VP Kashim Shettima’s Condolence Mission After the Kwara Massacre — Leadership, Loss, and National Outcry
In the wake of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent Nigerian history, the Federal Government’s response has reignited an intense national debate about leadership, empathy, and the role of public mourning in moments of profound national pain. While Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima led the official Federal Government delegation to Kwara State to condole with victims and local leaders, many Nigerians remain unconvinced that the country’s leadership is sufficiently present in the face of human tragedy.
The attack on the peaceful communities of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area, which occurred on February 3, 2026, was a violent and shocking assault that claimed dozens of lives and left families devastated. In response, the Federal Government took steps to deploy military forces and mobilise emergency support, but it was the tone and visibility of the federal leadership — particularly **President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence on the ground — that has generated widespread criticism and emotional backlash.
The Tragedy in Kaiama: What Happened and Its Human Impact
According to international reporting, a deadly insurgent attack in Woro village claimed at least 170 lives, making it one of the most lethal episodes of violence in Kwara State this year. This assault, suspected to be carried out by jihadist fighters, also resulted in the destruction of homes and forced many residents to flee for safety.
The residents of these communities were largely peaceful farmers and traders practising their faith and cultural life in harmony before the incident. The sudden carnage shook the conscience of many Nigerians and highlighted the continuing threat of terrorism and insecurity across multiple regions of the country.
Amid this backdrop of grief, the Federal Government immediately deployed a battalion of the Nigerian Army under Operation Savannah Shield, partly in response to the violent incident, with the intent to secure the area and prevent further attacks.
Vice President Shettima’s Visit: Conveying Condolences or Managing Perception?
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Vice President Kashim Shettima led a Federal Government delegation to Kwara State to commiserate with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, local officials, families of the victims, and the traditional leadership of the affected communities.
Speaking during the visit, Shettima conveyed the heartfelt condolences of President Tinubu and the entire Federal Government, acknowledging the gravity of what he described as a “tragic and shocking” violation of peace and human dignity.
The Vice President also reiterated that President Tinubu had ordered government agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise relief resources in partnership with Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, ensuring that humanitarian support reaches grieving families.
Shettima said:
> “Please accept our heartfelt condolences on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A battalion of the Nigerian Army has been deployed, and all hands are on deck to ensure that peace and tranquillity is restored to those communities.”
The message was delivered in a tone of compassion and solidarity, assuring residents that the Federal Government stands with them. Local leaders, including the Emir of Kaiama, welcomed the visit and expressed gratitude for the swift governmental response and military deployment.
Why This Visit Sparked Public Backlash
Despite the gravity of Shettima’s visit, many Nigerians expressed disappointment — not necessarily with him personally, but with what his presence symbolised about the nature of national leadership. Online discussions quickly revealed a broader sentiment: citizens want their President to not only manage security policy, but also to embody empathy and national mourning in the most visible way possible.
For critics and ordinary citizens alike, the Federal Government’s official presence in Kwara, led by the Vice President instead of the President himself, seemed insufficient — particularly in light of the scale of loss and trauma. Many feel that the absence of President Tinubu at the scene makes a critical emotional connection feel distant, leaving many to ask: Shouldn’t the nation’s leader be the one to mourn with the bereaved, personally and meaningfully? This question formed the basis of my earlier critique titled “When Silence Becomes Policy: Why Nigerians Need President Tinubu to Lead as Chief Mourner, Not Just Commander-in-Chief.”
The debate goes beyond constitutional roles; it touches on expectations of national leadership in moments of collective grief.
Leadership, Presence, and Public Mourning: A Cultural Expectation
In communal societies such as Nigeria, where mourning is often a shared social and cultural process, the absence of a national figurehead at a scene of mass loss may be perceived as emotional distance or indifference. Many Nigerians believe that public mourning by the President — standing physically among grieving families — can have a grounding effect on national morale. Emotional leadership, according to this view, should go hand in hand with operational leadership.
Analysts of public sentiment pointed out similar frustrations in previous crises. Public reactions to how leadership was manifested during the Benue massacre and other violent episodes suggested consistent demands for empathetic visibility from the Presidency beyond official statements and security responses.
This yearning does not stem from political partisanship alone, but from a deeper cultural expectation — that when a community suffers, the leader of the nation should share in both the pain and public mourning with those affected.
Government’s Perspective: Security Sensitivities and Institutional Roles
From the standpoint of the Federal Government, a Vice President–led delegation is not unprecedented or inherently inadequate. Protocol often designates senior officials to represent the President during sensitive missions, particularly when security challenges or logistic considerations are at play.
Furthermore, authorities have emphasised that military and security responses must maintain operational discretion because matters of national security are considered “sensitive,” and divulging detailed tactical information publicly is often avoided.
Government spokespersons also highlighted that President Tinubu condemned the violent attack, ordered the deployment of troops to the affected region, and instructed welfare agencies to assist in relief efforts — actions meant to demonstrate decisive national leadership.
Security, Humanitarian Support, and Long-Term Solutions
Beyond condolences, the Federal Government is tasked with protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. The deployment of a military battalion and the activation of emergency response agencies demonstrate a governmental commitment to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term security challenges.
Yet many citizens feel that the emotional component of leadership — visibly grieving with the people — must accompany these institutional actions for national healing to truly begin.
A Call for Compassionate and Visible Leadership
The visit by Vice President Shettima brought some measure of comfort and reassurance to the people of Kwara State, as it reaffirmed that the Federal Government acknowledges the loss and stands ready to support recovery efforts. At the same time, the broader public feedback underscores a yearning for leadership that is both operational and empathic, especially in times of extreme suffering.
Nigerians are not only seeking security and policy responses; they are also seeking a leader who stands with them in their pain, shares in their grief, and acknowledges their collective loss not just in words — but in presence.
In an age where social media amplifies public sentiment and national expectations are increasingly visible, leadership in Nigeria must evolve to meet both the practical and emotional needs of its citizens. President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, undoubtedly plays a vital role in coordinating responses to insecurity. But it is through presence, solidarity, and shared mourning that a nation truly heals — and it is this expectation that many Nigerians want to see reflected at the highest levels of leadership.
In the end, condolences are meaningful, but compassionate leadership that stands beside the bereaved is transformative.
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