Gunmen have carried out a brutal attack in Nigeria’s Kwara state, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 162 individuals, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the country in recent times, as per a Red Cross official. The assault, which took place on a village in the west-central region on Tuesday night, followed military operations targeting what was described as “terrorist elements” in the area.
Various parts of Nigeria grapple with challenges posed by armed gangs engaged in looting villages and kidnapping for ransom, as well as intercommunal conflicts in central regions and the presence of jihadist groups in the northeast and northwest.
Babaomo Ayodeji, the Kwara state secretary of the Red Cross, stated that the death toll has risen to 162, with efforts ongoing to locate more victims. Initial reports from a local lawmaker in the Kaiama area, Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, indicated that between 35 to 40 deceased individuals were counted following the attack.
While the police confirmed the incident, they did not disclose specific casualty figures. The state government attributed the violence to “terrorist cells.” Ahmed mentioned that many people fled into the bush to escape the attackers, suggesting that additional casualties might be discovered.
The assailants invaded Woro village around 6:00 pm on Tuesday, setting fire to shops and the king’s palace, according to Ahmed. He also mentioned that the whereabouts of the traditional king, identified as Alhaji Salihu Umar by the Red Cross official, were unknown.
In response to the attack, Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq denounced it as a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells” in reaction to the ongoing anti-terrorism efforts in parts of the state. The Nigerian military has intensified its operations against jihadist groups and armed bandits, claiming significant successes in recent offensives.
Authorities in Kwara state have implemented curfews in specific areas and temporarily closed schools due to the prevalent security challenges. Concerns about insecurity in Nigeria have escalated, with US President Donald Trump previously alleging a “genocide” targeting Christians in the country, a claim refuted by the government and various experts who emphasize that the security crises impact both Christians and Muslims indiscriminately.
