Nearly 200 individuals were tragically killed by gunmen in separate attacks in isolated villages in central and northern Nigeria, as confirmed by a local lawmaker, residents, and law enforcement on Wednesday. The assaults occurred in the Woro community in central Kwara state, claiming the lives of at least 170 people in what has been described as the deadliest incident in the region this year, bordering Niger state. The gunmen reportedly captured residents, tied their hands, and carried out executions. Villagers sought refuge in nearby bushland as their homes and shops were set ablaze.
Authorities reported that “scores were killed,” and efforts were underway to locate survivors and pursue the attackers. The perpetrators allegedly demanded the villagers renounce their loyalty to the Nigerian state in favor of Sharia Islamic law during a sermon, leading to a violent clash when the residents resisted.
The violence has been condemned by officials, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq labeling it a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells.” The attacks, believed to be orchestrated by an armed group linked to the Islamic State, have further exacerbated Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, characterized by insurgency, kidnappings, and intercommunal conflicts across various regions.
In a separate incident in Katsina state, at least 21 individuals were killed by gunmen who breached a six-month peace agreement with the community. This incident underscores the challenges faced by residents in remote parts of northern Nigeria, where some resort to paying off armed groups to avoid violence. The country has faced mounting pressure to address security concerns following previous attacks and accusations of failing to protect Christians.