The Woro massacre in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State has claimed the lives of at least 162 people, according to the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC).
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, is one of the deadliest in Nigeria in recent months and has sent shockwaves across the country.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who initially confirmed 75 deaths, described the killings as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state.”
During a visit to the Emir of Kaiama’s palace on Wednesday night, he said, “The victims were local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.”
President Bola Tinubu has authorized the immediate deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to launch counter-offensives against the attackers.
The Nigerian military has confirmed its presence in affected areas, stating that troops are “fully mobilized to neutralize the terrorists responsible for the Woro massacre and prevent further attacks.”
The state secretary of the Red Cross, Babaomo Ayodeji, updated the death toll to 162 late Wednesday, emphasizing that rescue teams were still recovering bodies from the surrounding bushlands.
“Reports indicate that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues,” Ayodeji said, revising an earlier figure of 67 casualties.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrors of the attack, saying gunmen stormed Woro village around 6:00 p.m., setting houses, shops, and even the king’s palace ablaze.
Local lawmaker Sa’idu Baba Ahmed said that between 35 and 40 bodies were initially counted before the toll escalated dramatically.
“Many villagers fled into the bush while gunshots rang out,” Ahmed said, adding that the village’s traditional ruler, Alhaji Salihu Umar, remains missing.
Authorities and local security officials have blamed organized terrorist cells for the assault.
The Nigerian military, which has recently intensified operations against armed gangs and jihadist factions in Kwara State, reported neutralizing over 150 terrorists during coordinated operations in January.
According to the army, troops also “stormed remote camps hitherto inaccessible to security forces,” significantly weakening the terrorists’ operational capacity.
Analysts suggest that the Woro massacre may signal a growing collaboration between Boko Haram and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
JNIM carried out its first known attack in Nigeria last year, also in Kwara State.
Researcher Brant Philip noted, “The latest raid occurred just four kilometres from the site of JNIM’s October attack,” indicating potential overlap in jihadist zones and a loose alliance between both groups.
The massacre comes amid a broader surge in insecurity across Nigeria, where armed gangs, jihadist factions, and communal militias continue to unleash violence on civilians.
On the same day as the Woro attack, suspected bandits killed 23 people in Katsina State, reportedly in retaliation for recent airstrikes that eliminated 27 militants.
In response to the tragedy, Kwara authorities imposed curfews and closed schools in affected areas.
Schools had only reopened days earlier, on Monday, following a previous closure prompted by security concerns.
Residents in Woro and surrounding villages remain fearful as investigations continue and the Nigerian military maintains heightened vigilance.
Nigeria’s growing security challenges have attracted renewed international attention.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently described the situation as a “genocide” against Christians—a claim widely rejected by experts and the Nigerian government as misleading.
Senior security analysts have emphasized that both Christians and Muslims are victims of Nigeria’s insecurity, explaining,
“These crises cut across religion and ethnicity, and the Woro massacre is another tragic example.”
The Woro massacre has raised questions about the effectiveness of current counterterrorism strategies in Kwara State and across Nigeria.
While the Nigerian military has achieved significant tactical victories against terrorist camps, analysts warn that these isolated successes may not prevent attacks on civilian communities.
“The destruction in Woro illustrates the continuing vulnerability of rural areas,” one analyst noted.
Local communities are now calling for urgent interventions to protect civilians and rebuild trust in security forces.
Aid organizations, including the Red Cross, are working to provide medical care, food, and temporary shelters to displaced residents.
Governor AbdulRazaq also announced that investigations are underway to identify all attackers and prevent further reprisals.
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