No fewer than 162 Nigerians have been killed in a bloody and coordinated terrorist attack on Woro community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The massacre, carried out by suspected Sahel-linked extremists, has left the town devastated, with prominent figures among the dead and the Emir of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, missing.
Among those killed were two wives of the Emir, several of his children, the Chief Imam of Woro, a school principal, a headmistress, and students who had just returned from school.
The Emir’s palace was set ablaze, and his official vehicle seized by the attackers.
Security Agencies Under Fire
Residents have accused security agencies of failing to respond despite receiving prior warnings.
According to locals, the village head had earlier alerted authorities after a terrorist group identified as “Memuda” informed the community that they were coming to “preach.”
Despite this warning, no preventive deployment was made, leaving the community exposed and defenseless when the attackers struck.
Community members expressed anger at the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Department of State Services, alleging incompetence, tribalism, nepotism, and misplaced priorities.
Some residents claimed that while the DSS was busy prosecuting political cases, they failed to protect citizens from imminent danger.
The Attack
Eyewitnesses reported that over 200 heavily armed fighters stormed Woro, overwhelming local security forces who staged a tactical retreat.
Disturbing footage shows lifeless bodies scattered across the community, with homes and public buildings engulfed in flames.
In a chilling development, the terrorists returned the following morning, targeting survivors who had come back to search for loved ones, further compounding the tragedy.
Sources confirmed that the assault was carried out by a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction, enraged by the Emir’s refusal to cooperate with their extremist teachings and his decision to alert military authorities.
Symbolic Targeting
The deliberate killing of the Emir’s family members, the Chief Imam, and school leaders underscores the symbolic nature of the attack.
Analysts suggest the terrorists sought to break the community’s resistance and impose their ideology by eliminating traditional and religious authorities.
The destruction of the Emir’s palace represents not only a physical loss but also a psychological blow to the people of Woro.
Humanitarian Crisis
The massacre has left Woro in ruins. Families are mourning loved ones, while survivors face displacement and trauma.
Schools, religious centers, and homes have been destroyed, leaving the community without essential infrastructure.
Local leaders have appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance, including shelter, medical care, and food supplies for displaced residents.
National and Regional Implications
The Woro massacre is being described as one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in North-Central Nigeria, raising alarm about the spread of jihadist violence beyond the Northeast.
Kwara State’s strategic position—serving as a bridge between the North and Southwest and sharing an international border with the Republic of Benin—makes the attack particularly concerning.
Security experts warn that insurgents may be seeking to establish new strongholds in the region.
Calls for Action
Former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the killings as a “national disaster”, urging President Bola Tinubu to order decisive federal intervention.
He called for the deployment of troops from the Second Mechanised Infantry Division, Ibadan, and a stronger presence of security agencies across Kwara State to deter further attacks.
Civil society groups and human rights advocates have also condemned the massacre, demanding accountability and swift action to protect vulnerable communities.
The Woro massacre stands as a grim reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with insurgency and insecurity.
With the Emir missing, his palace destroyed, and community leaders slain, the attack represents both a humanitarian tragedy and a symbolic assault on traditional authority.
As Kwara State reels from the devastation, the nation faces urgent questions about its capacity to protect citizens and prevent extremist violence from spreading beyond the Northeast.
The massacre is not only a local tragedy but a national emergency that demands immediate and decisive action.
