At Least 162 Killed in Deadly Attack on Kwara State Village

At least 162 people were killed by unknown gunmen in Woro village, Kwara State, Nigeria, in one of the deadliest attacks in recent months. The assault followed recent military operations against terrorist elements in the area. The attackers set fire to shops and the king’s palace, while many villagers fled. Authorities blame terrorist cells, and the military has intensified counterterrorism operations in the state, previously reporting the neutralization of 150 terrorists. Curfews and school closures had been imposed in response to ongoing security threats.

Unknown gunmen have carried out a devastating attack in Kwara State, Nigeria, killing at least 162 people, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported. The assault, which took place late on Tuesday in a village in the west-central state, is considered one of the deadliest in the country in recent months. The attack follows recent military operations in the area aimed at targeting what the authorities have described as terrorist elements, suggesting a possible connection between the military’s counterterrorism efforts and the violent retaliation by the assailants.
Police confirmed that an attack had occurred but did not release casualty figures, while the state government officially blamed terrorist cells for the incident. Parts of Nigeria continue to experience a complex mix of insecurity, including armed gangs that raid villages and kidnap residents for ransom, intercommunal violence in central states, and ongoing terrorist activity in the northeast and northwest regions. These overlapping security threats have contributed to widespread fear and instability across affected areas.
Babaomo Ayodeji, the Kwara State secretary of the ICRC, updated the death toll to 162, noting that the search for additional victims was ongoing. This marked a significant increase from earlier reports, which had placed the number of confirmed deaths at 67. Local eyewitnesses and officials also described the scale of the violence and chaos during the attack. Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, a local lawmaker from the Kaiama region, told AFP that between 35 and 40 bodies had initially been counted following the assault on Tuesday evening. He noted that many residents had fled into the bush amid gunfire, and added that more bodies could potentially be discovered as search efforts continued.
The attackers reportedly invaded Woro village around 1700 GMT on Tuesday, setting fire to shops and the king’s palace, according to Ahmed. The violent nature of the attack, targeting both residential and public structures, reflects the heightened threat posed by armed groups in the region.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State condemned the attack, describing it as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state.” His statement underscores the perception that the violence may be a direct response to intensified military operations targeting armed groups and terrorists.
The Nigerian military has recently stepped up its operations against terrorists and armed bandits, frequently reporting significant results. Last month, the army announced that it had launched “sustained coordinated offensive operations against terrorist elements” in Kwara State, claiming notable successes in disrupting terrorist networks. Local media reported that the military had “neutralized” 150 terrorists, a term commonly used to indicate fatalities. In a statement released on January 30, the army explained, “They successfully neutralized terrorists, while others managed to escape into the forest.” The statement further added that troops had cleared hideouts and stormed previously inaccessible remote camps, destroying several abandoned camps and logistical facilities, which significantly reduced the terrorists’ operational capacity.
In response to the ongoing security challenges, authorities in Kwara State had earlier imposed curfews in certain areas and closed schools for several weeks. Schools were reopened on Monday, signaling an attempt to restore normalcy despite the persistent threats posed by armed groups and terrorist elements in the region. The attack in Woro village not only highlights the severe security challenges facing Nigeria’s central states but also underscores the continued risks for communities caught between militant violence and military counteroperations.
The scale and brutality of the incident have drawn concern from humanitarian organizations and government officials, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced security measures and continued vigilance to prevent further loss of life. The ongoing search for additional victims and the response from local authorities and security forces remain critical as Kwara State confronts the aftermath of one of the deadliest attacks in recent Nigerian history.