Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
WORO/NUKU, Kwara State, Nigeria — Fresh information has emerged on the devastating assault that struck the neighbouring villages of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, resulting in the deaths of scores of residents and prompting an urgent government and security response. The attacks, widely condemned at federal and state levels, have been described by authorities as acts of terrorism carried out by armed extremists who targeted civilians after villagers resisted ideological coercion.
According to accounts from local authorities and victim families, militants arrived in the communities shortly after dusk, surrounding residential areas and opening fire in multiple directions in a sustained and coordinated assault. Survivors reported that the gunmen moved through the villages on motorcycles, shooting at villagers attempting to flee and, in some cases, forcing captives onto the palace grounds where at least some were tied and executed. Members of local leadership families, including relatives of the village head, were among those abducted during the raid, and homes and other structures were torched, leaving Woro and Nuku nearly abandoned as terrified residents fled into nearby bushland to escape the violence.
Official casualty figures released by the Kwara State Government confirmed at least 75 residents were killed in the double attack, although independent sources and rights groups have suggested that the true death toll could be significantly higher. Some international observers and humanitarian agencies have cited figures above 150, citing ongoing recovery efforts and the remote terrain that complicates full accounting of victims.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has characterised the massacre as a deliberate attempt by extremists to punish villagers who had rejected their overtures to embrace a radical and “strange doctrine” — a reference to demands that the villagers renounce their allegiance to the Nigerian state and submit to imposition of strict interpretations of Sharia law. In his remarks, the governor emphasised that many of the victims were local Muslims who had declined to acquiesce to violent extremist ideology, underscoring the brutal nature of the assault on peaceful worshippers.
First responders, including military and forest guards, took control of the affected communities following the attack, as security forces worked to secure the area, retrieve bodies and assist survivors. Local sources indicated that initial military patrols were present earlier on the day of the raid, but had reportedly withdrawn before the assault began, leaving villagers vulnerable.
The massacre is among the most lethal security breaches in Kwara State in recent memory and reflects a widening pattern of violence by armed extremist groups beyond Nigeria’s traditional conflict zones. Security analysts and local leaders have noted that attacks by factions linked to Boko Haram or Islamic State‑affiliated groups such as Lakurawa have been reported in areas far from the northeastern theatres where insurgency has been most active, complicating counter‑terrorism efforts and stretching security resources.
In response to the killings, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate deployment of a Nigerian Army battalion to the Kaiama area and directed the launch of Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at “checkmating” the terrorists and protecting vulnerable rural populations. The presidency condemned the attacks as “cowardly and beastly,” particularly highlighting the targeting of civilians who resisted extremist indoctrination attempts. The president also urged enhanced collaboration between federal and state agencies to assist survivors and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The move to deploy additional troops follows criticism regarding gaps in security coverage and calls from lawmakers and community leaders for decisive federal action. Former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki described the killings as a national disaster that exceeds the capacity of state security apparatus alone, urging the establishment of permanent military bases and intensified operations to deter future attacks.
Security officials have stressed that the enhanced military presence is intended both to prevent further incursions and to reassure residents, many of whom have been displaced or are reluctant to return home amid fears of renewed violence. The state government and community representatives have called on civilians to cooperate with security forces and share information to improve situational awareness and reduce the risk of repeat attacks.
The Nigerian military has acknowledged that extremist groups often exploit periods of heightened counter‑terrorism activity in other regions to strike softer targets, and officials say that intelligence and ground operations will be intensified along the Benin Republic border and within volatile corridors of Kwara State.
The tragedy has drawn widespread condemnation from political figures across the country. Former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso described the attacks as a stark warning of deteriorating security and urged the federal government to adopt a more decisive nationwide strategy to counter extremist expansion. Leaders of civil society and humanitarian organisations have echoed the call for stronger protection of rural communities and more effective early‑warning mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable populations.
Families of the victims and displaced residents are now awaiting further assistance, including medical care, food and shelter, as reconstruction efforts get underway in the largely deserted villages. Authorities have indicated that investigations into the attack are ongoing, and that further details on casualties, abductions and arrests will be shared as they are verified.
The Woro and Nuku massacre not only underscores the evolving threat landscape in Nigeria’s north‑central region but also highlights the challenges faced by security forces in protecting communities situated far from major urban centres. As Operation Savannah Shield is implemented, the government’s ability to restore lasting security and prevent future atrocities remains under intense scrutiny from national and international observers.
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