Regional officials say Boko Haram militants carried out deadly attacks this week on the villages of Woro and Nuku in Kwara State, killing dozens after residents refused to surrender. The assaults, which local authorities described as a massacre, left homes and shops burning and dozens of people missing or abducted.
Death Toll and Conflicting Counts: Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq said at least 75 people were killed when militants demanded villagers "surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine." Another official reported that 78 bodies have been buried so far and estimated that as many as 170 more bodies may remain to be recovered. Amnesty International Nigeria, citing eyewitness testimony, said the toll across affected communities may exceed 200.
Where and How the Attacks Unfolded: The violence took place in Woro and Nuku. Lawmakers and local officials said the raids began around 5 p.m. local time and lasted three to four hours. Witnesses reported that gunmen rounded up young men and entire families, set fire to houses and shops, and abducted civilians—Kwara House Assembly member Saidu Baba Ahmed said 38 people were taken.
Additional Incidents and Warnings: Amnesty International also reported a separate attack in Doma Village that killed 21 people. The rights group said attackers had been distributing letters and pamphlets in the communities for more than two weeks before the killings, suggesting a coordinated campaign.
Security Response and International Reaction: Nigerian authorities have deployed troops to the affected area to prevent further attacks and recover victims. Amnesty International condemned what it described as a security vacuum that left rural communities vulnerable. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres offered his condolences, reiterated U.N. solidarity with Nigeria in combating terrorism and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Humanitarian Concerns
The scale and brutality of the raids have raised urgent humanitarian concerns: displaced survivors need shelter, medical care and protection, while authorities and aid groups must work to verify casualty figures and recover the missing. Human-rights groups are calling for prompt, transparent investigations and measures to secure rural communities that have been repeatedly targeted.
Note: Casualty figures vary by source. Authorities, local officials and human-rights organizations have reported differing counts; independent verification is ongoing.
