Over 50 Killed as Bandits Launch Fresh Attack in Kwara

Over fifty people have reportedly been killed and several houses set ablaze after bandits launched a fresh, deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Residents said the assault started around 6:00 on Tuesday, February 3, 2025, when an estimated 200 gunmen stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately.

An eyewitness, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the attackers killed more than 50 people and burnt numerous houses and shops. He added that the palace of the Emir of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, was also affected.

According to him, the attack began around 6 p.m. and continued until about 3 a.m. He said the death toll could be much higher, estimating that up to 160 people may have been killed, describing the incident as one that almost wiped out the entire community.

“I was in the village during the attack, but I fled early this morning,” he said.

In a viral voice message circulating in Ilorin, a man was heard confirming the attack on Woro community and calling on security agencies to act swiftly to dislodge the bandits.

He said, “Information reaching us is that Woro community, under Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, is under attack by the bandits right now. This is a clarion call on security agencies to please act with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, a former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly from Woro community, Hon. Aliyu Mande, confirmed the invasion in a telephone conversation.

He said, “It’s true that the bandits attacked our community (Woro) this evening around 5pm. As I speak with you, the bandits are still operating in the community. They told me that the bandits, who probably came from the National Park in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killed up to 10 people and also burnt houses.”

“I have spoken with the chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, who promised to rise to the occasion by informing the appropriate authorities,” Mande added.

Kwara government reacts

The Kwara State Government, in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the bandits’ attack.

The CPS said Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq mourned the victims of the Kaiama attack, noting that security agencies had continued to intensify counterterrorism efforts.

“Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is saddened by the cowardly attack on civilians in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area.

“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded.

“Governor AbdulRazaq says the attack was apparently to distract the security forces who have successfully hunted down several terrorist and kidnapping gangs across many parts of the state.

“The Governor expresses heartfelt condolences to Woro and Nuku communities on the sad incident, especially the families affected in the Tuesday attack”, he said.

Soldiers, Forest Guard take over affected communities

Following the attack, soldiers and Forest Guards were reported to have taken control of the affected communities.

A local government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development in an interview on Wednesday morning.

“The casualties are over forty as we speak, and soldiers and Forest Guards have taken over the two communities. It’s a very sad development at a time we thought there was peace after previous bandit attacks,” she said.

States in the North-Central region, including Kwara and Niger, have repeatedly experienced bandit attacks.

In November, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide, directing their redeployment to core policing duties.

The decision followed the declaration of a state of emergency on security and a meeting with police, air force and army chiefs, as well as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).