Gunmen attacked Woro village in Kwara State killing at least 162 people in one of the deadliest incidents in Nigeria in recent months. The attack occurred late Tuesday shortly after the military carried out operations targeting terrorist elements in the area. Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq initially confirmed 75 deaths describing the victims as local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.
The Red Cross later updated the toll to 162 as search efforts continue and more bodies are recovered. Residents reported that the attackers set fire to shops and the palace of the village king Alhaji Salihu Umar whose whereabouts remain unknown. Many others escaped into the bush during the attack.
President Tinubu approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to launch counter offensives against the assailants. The Nigerian military has intensified operations against jihadists and armed bandits claiming to have neutralised large numbers of fighters and destroyed hideouts in previous operations.
The raid occurred just a few kilometres from previous attacks by jihadist groups including JNIM and Boko Haram suggesting possible coordination between the two organisations.
In a related attack suspected bandits killed 23 civilians in Katsina State reportedly as reprisal for recent military actions.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the Woro attack as a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells and authorities imposed curfews and temporarily closed schools in affected areas. The incident has raised concerns over insecurity in Nigeria with international attention following claims of targeted violence against religious groups.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack and security forces have vowed to prevent further massacres while protecting communities in vulnerable areas.
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