One of Nigeria's deadliest attacks in recent months occurred in Kwara State on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when armed insurgents massacred residents of Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Conflicting Death Toll Reports
While Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq officially confirmed 75 deaths, the Nigerian Red Cross reported at least 162 fatalities, making this one of the worst terrorist attacks in Nigeria's recent history. Community sources told local media the death toll could exceed 100.
According to eyewitness accounts shared with the News Agency of Nigeria, attackers arrived on motorcycles around 5:00 p.m., completely surrounding the communities before opening fire from different directions. Residents who attempted to flee were shot, while those who surrendered were gathered at the village head's palace, tied up, and executed.
Religious Extremism Cited
Governor AbdulRazaq explained that the victims were "local Muslims massacred simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine." The communities had reportedly rejected attempts by the militants to impose their extremist interpretation of Islam.
The attack is believed to have been carried out by Lakurawa, an armed group linked to the Islamic State Sahel Province. The group had allegedly sent advance warnings to the community, threatening violence if residents did not accept their ideology.
Presidential Response
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attack as "cowardly and beastly" and approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to prosecute counter-offensives against the attackers. The operation aims to neutralize terrorist elements and provide protection for vulnerable communities in the area.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki described the killings as a "national disaster" requiring decisive federal intervention beyond the capacity of state government resources.
