Gunmen have carried out a deadly attack in Kwara state, west-central Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 162 lives, as confirmed by local authorities. The death toll is expected to increase as more details emerge.
Various regions in Nigeria grapple with security challenges, including the presence of armed gangs, commonly referred to as bandits, who engage in looting and kidnapping for ransom. Additionally, intercommunal violence in central states and the activities of jihadist groups in the northeast and northwest add to the instability.
Local lawmaker Sa’idu Baba Ahmed disclosed that 162 fatalities were reported following the recent attack in the Kaiama region. While the police and state government confirmed the incident, specific casualty figures were not immediately provided. The state government attributed the violence to “terrorist cells.”
Ahmed mentioned that many individuals managed to escape into the bush after sustaining gunshot wounds, suggesting that additional casualties might be discovered in the area. The assailants, who struck Woro village at around 6:00 pm on Tuesday, also set fire to shops and the king’s palace, with the traditional ruler’s whereabouts currently unknown.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state strongly denounced the assault, describing it as a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells” in response to the state’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
