Residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State are still recovering bodies days after a brutal attack by armed men left the village devastated, deserted, and in mourning.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, at least 13 additional corpses were buried, bringing the confirmed number of those interred to over 88, while many victims remain unaccounted for.<\/p>\n
Community leaders say more bodies are still being recovered from surrounding bushes, making the final death toll uncertain.<\/p>\n
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, reportedly claimed the lives of more than 100 people, mostly adult males. Survivors said the assailants arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and operated for several hours without resistance.<\/p>\n
Residents disclosed that at least 75 victims were buried on Wednesday alone, while families of women and children abducted during the raid said they had received no communication regarding their whereabouts.<\/p>\n
Village deserted as fear grips residents
\nDespite increased security presence, Woro has been largely abandoned as residents fled for safety, fearing renewed attacks.<\/p>\n
Survivors described scenes of widespread destruction, with homes, shops, vehicles, and personal belongings set ablaze.
\nA resident, Mr Ahmed Yinusa, said the attackers, many of whom wore military-style uniforms, launched their assault around 5pm and operated for over 10 hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came heavily armed and shot indiscriminately,\u201d another survivor, Dr Abdul Woro, said.<\/p>\n
Local authorities confirmed that poor road conditions and the remote location of the community delayed the arrival of security forces.<\/p>\n
The village head, who reportedly lost two children in the attack while his wife and other children were abducted, said the community was overwhelmed by grief.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe are still burying the dead as they are found. I have not heard anything about my wife and children who were taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials said at least 49 shops and several houses were completely destroyed, while some victims were burnt beyond recognition.<\/p>\n
The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi, confirmed that government officials visiting the area still encountered corpses in parts of the community.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that additional security personnel had been deployed, including 50 soldiers and 30 armed forest guards, to restore confidence and prevent further attacks.<\/p>\n
The Kwara State Police Command said a full-scale investigation had been launched. In a statement, police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said preliminary findings suggested the attackers were violent extremists, adding that a joint operation involving the police, military, and forest guards was ongoing.<\/p>\n
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited the affected areas alongside top security officials and described the incident as a massacre rather than a kidnapping operation.<\/p>\n
He confirmed that at least 75 people had been killed and announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield.<\/p>\n
The governor said: \u201cWe are devastated by this tragedy. \u201cThe state will support the victims and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches the affected families.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, alleged that the attackers were members of the Mahmuda group, known for promoting extremist doctrines and targeting communities that reject them.<\/p>\n
The Northern States Governors\u2019 Forum condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric and unacceptable. Its chairman, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, urged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and coordinated operations.<\/p>\n
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, also condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with Nigeria and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.<\/p>\n
Security experts and residents linked the violence to extremist groups operating around the Kainji National Park axis. A retired DSS director, Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, warned that arrests alone would not end the violence unless poverty, unemployment, and weak intelligence systems were addressed.
\n\u201cThe government must redesign the security architecture and prioritise human security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
President Tinubu, after meeting with the Kwara State governor in Abuja, condemned the attack as \u201ccowardly and beastly,\u201d vowing that those responsible would not escape justice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"