Author: Gist Correspondent

At least 162 villagers have been killed in a brutal attack on Woro community in Kwara State, in what is being described as Nigeria’s deadliest armed assault so far this year, according to the Red Cross and local officials.

The attack occurred on Tuesday when heavily armed terrorists stormed the village in the Kaiama area of the state. The Kwara State Secretary of the Red Cross, Babaomo Ayodeji, said by Wednesday afternoon that 162 bodies had been recovered, confirming the scale of the massacre. A local politician, however, told Reuters that the death toll could be as high as 170.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers rounded up residents, bound their hands and carried out mass executions. Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, a politician from the area, said homes and shops were also set ablaze during the raid. He disclosed that he was in the community alongside security personnel, assisting in the recovery of bodies and searching surrounding areas.

Several residents reportedly escaped into nearby bush paths with gunshot wounds, while others remain unaccounted for. Among those still missing is the traditional ruler of the community, raising further concerns over the full extent of the casualties.

Survivors said the attackers were suspected jihadists who had previously preached in the village, urging residents to renounce allegiance to the Nigerian state and embrace Sharia law. Tension escalated when villagers resisted the demands, after which the gunmen reportedly opened fire during a sermon.

The police have confirmed that an attack took place but are yet to issue an official casualty figure. Security forces have since been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further violence.

Reacting to the incident, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the killings, describing them as a “cowardly act” and blaming terrorist elements seeking to destabilise the state in response to intensified security operations.

Kwara State shares a boundary with Niger State, where armed groups and terrorist activities have intensified in recent years. The military has reported ongoing operations against terrorist elements in the region as insecurity spreads further into western Nigeria.

The massacre adds to Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, marked by jihadist insurgencies, banditry, kidnappings and communal violence, raising renewed concerns about civilian safety and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts nationwide.