Residents of two rural communities in Nigeria’s north-central Kwara State say armed extremists carried out a prolonged and methodical assault after villagers ignored an earlier warning demanding acceptance of a hardline interpretation of Islam.
According to survivors, attackers arrived on motorcycles and spent hours moving through the predominantly Muslim settlements of Woro and Nuku, shooting residents and torching homes and small businesses. Witnesses said the assailants later entered a local mosque, issued a call to prayer and opened fire on worshippers who responded.
Authorities describe the raid as one of the deadliest single attacks in the country in recent months. Official figures put the death toll at more than 160, while community leaders say the number may be higher and that dozens of residents were abducted during the violence.
Some villagers said groups of captives were bound, lined up and executed at close range, while others fled into surrounding bushland to escape. The assault reportedly unfolded over much of the night, lasting close to 10 hours before the gunmen withdrew.
The killings come amid a worsening security situation in parts of Kwara State, which has seen a rise in attacks linked to armed groups expanding beyond Nigeria’s traditional conflict zones. Analysts say militants are increasingly targeting rural communities to assert control, intimidate civilians and challenge government authority.
