At least 162 people have been killed in a brutal attack on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, in what is being described as the deadliest assault in the state this year. The massacre, which occurred on Tuesday, was confirmed by the Kwara State chapter of the Red Cross and local authorities, with some reports suggesting the death toll could rise to 170.
According to eyewitness accounts, armed assailants stormed the village, rounded up residents, tied their hands, and executed them. Homes and shops were set ablaze during the attack. Sa’idu Ahmed, a politician from the area, said he was on ground with security personnel recovering bodies, adding that many residents fled into surrounding bushes with gunshot wounds, while several others, including the traditional ruler, remain missing.
Residents alleged the attackers were jihadists who had previously preached in the community, urging villagers to renounce allegiance to the Nigerian state in favour of Sharia law. The violence reportedly erupted after residents resisted their demands.
On Wednesday, at least 75 victims were given a mass burial attended by local government officials. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, including the killing of family members and abductions. Among the victims was Salihu Bio Khalid, a student of the Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences, who was killed alongside his brother.
The Kwara State Government condemned the attack, while political leaders and civil society groups called for intensified military operations and humanitarian support. President Bola Tinubu has reportedly directed the immediate deployment of troops to curb the worsening security situation in the area.
