Survivors of a coordinated jihadist assault on Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State have described a hours-long massacre that left scores dead and many abducted, questioning why security forces failed to act despite repeated warnings.
In harrowing accounts shared after the attack, local residents detailed how militants arrived in large numbers, executed civilians—including two medical students—burned homes, and even prayed in a local mosque while forcing villagers to listen to their extremist preaching.
“They came en masse in the name of religion and decided to kill our people,” one survivor recounted. “Two of the community head’s children, who were medical students, were killed in front of the house before they set it ablaze. They massacred everyone. It is just devastating.”
The attacker’s brazenness underscored their sense of impunity. “They even went to the mosque and prayed there. They forced a few people to go and listen to their preaching. That means they had enough time—adequate time to do whatever they liked.”
Community leaders revealed they had received pamphlets and warnings from the militants weeks before the attack, urging villagers to adopt extremist views. After meetings with security officials, a brief military patrol was conducted, but the assailants struck soon after forces withdrew.
“We contacted security forces; the military went to the area briefly to investigate, but after they left, the jihadists launched their assault,” one survivor explained. “We are wondering why this security lapse was allowed to happen, why the authorities could not take action.”
The emotional and physical toll remains severe. One man lost two children and had his wife and three other children abducted. He was among those who buried the dead, stating, “I was among those who buried 30 corpses. We have never experienced this before in Kaiama local government area.”
The attack, which officials say claimed at least 75 lives, marks one of the deadliest in the state and has raised urgent questions about security preparedness in Nigeria’s north-central region.
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