Gunmen carried out a brutal overnight attack on two rural villages in Nigeria’s Kwara state, killing more than 160 people and forcing survivors to flee their homes. The villages of Woro and Nuku were attacked after residents ignored a warning letter from extremist militants who said they would return to impose their strict version of Islam.
The attackers arrived on motorbikes in the evening and spent nearly 10 hours moving through the villages. Survivors said the gunmen went from house to house, shooting residents and setting homes and shops on fire. Some attackers entered a mosque, called people to prayer, and then opened fire on those who came.
Authorities say at least 162 people were killed, but villagers believe the real number is closer to 200. Many bodies were badly burned, making counting difficult. Several people, including women and children, were also kidnapped.
Residents said no security forces arrived during the long attack. Police later claimed officers were present but did not give details. By the time the violence ended, only a few men remained in the villages to bury the dead.
Many survivors gathered what they could and left their homes. They said they could not continue living in a place marked by fear and destruction. The attack shows how Nigeria’s security crisis is getting worse. Violence is now reaching areas that were once considered relatively safe. Armed groups, including extremist groups and criminal gangs, are moving south. They are competing for control and trying to escape military pressure in the north.
For more than ten years, Nigeria has been struggling with violence. Groups such as Boko Haram and its factions have ties to the Islamic State, which has greatly influenced the conflict. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives. Experts say the government is struggling to protect all the civilians.
Authorities have announced a new military operation in Kwara State. However, survivors say this is not enough. They are calling for urgent action to prevent more attacks and to help displaced families rebuild their lives.
