Suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group or affiliated factions attacked two villages in Kwara state, in west-central Nigeria, late Tuesday afternoon around 6 p
m.
The attacks occurred in the communities of Woro and Nuku, in the Kaiama area, about 45 kilometers northwest of the state capital, Ilorin.
These villages are near Borgu National Park and bush corridors connecting to the neighboring state of Niger, facilitating the entry and escape of armed groups.
The gunmen arrived on foot and on motorcycles, surprising residents who were preparing dinner.
They shot anyone they found outside the houses, entered the residences one by one, and set fire to homes and food supplies.
The chaos was immense, with survivors hiding in the bush to escape the violence.
Initially, local reports spoke of at least ten dead, but the number quickly rose.
Reliable sources from the local government and news reports indicated that at least 40 people were killed, although other information from authorities and organizations such as the Red Cross raised the total to much higher figures in later updates, with searches for more bodies continuing in the region.
The governor of Kwara state, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, strongly condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act of frustration by terrorist cells reacting to ongoing security operations.
He stated that he was closely monitoring the situation and ordered security forces to intensify actions to prevent further incidents.
Soldiers and forest rangers took control of the affected areas, conducting searches in forest corridors to find the fleeing attackers and check for any kidnapped residents, although there is no confirmation of kidnappings in this specific case.
This episode reflects a worrying pattern of incursions by extremist groups in the north-central region of Nigeria.
These terrorists exploit dense forest areas and routes that cross state borders to carry out swift and violent attacks.
Similar attacks have occurred before in Kwara and neighboring states, showing that rural communities near forests remain highly vulnerable.
Security experts highlight the need for increased intelligence, constant patrols, and continuous pressure on militant hideouts to protect the population.
While families bury their dead and fear spreads through rural communities, the government promises to strengthen operations against these groups, coordinating actions between state and federal forces to dismantle the networks operating in the region.
The violence leaves a trail of destruction and displacement, and authorities continue to investigate to clarify the details and prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Published in 02/10/2026 22h57
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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