Jihadists, Herdsmen Unleash Terror across Nigeria •kill 179 in Kwara, Benue attacks

Over 162 people have been killed in a deadly attack on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Tuesday, in what has been described as the deadliest armed assault in the state this year.

A Red Cross official and local authorities confirmed the figure, while residents re- counted harrowing details of mass executions and arson carried out by the attackers,

The Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the Red Cross, Babaomo Ayodeji, said the confirmed death toll stood at 162 as of Wednesday afternoon. A local politician told Reuters that the figure could be as high as 170.

Sa’idu Ahmed, a politician from the Kaiama axis, told Reuters that the attackers rounded up villagers, tied their hands behind their backs and executed them. He added that homes and shops were also set ablaze during the assault.

“I am in the village along with military personnel, sorting dead bodies and searching nearby areas,” Ahmed said.

He disclosed that many villagers fled into surrounding bushes with gunshot wounds, while several residents, including the village’s traditional ruler, were still missing as of yesterday.

Residents alleged that the attackers were jihadists who had previously preached in the community, demanding that villagers renounce allegiance to the Nigerian state in favour of Sharia law.

According to them, the gunmen opened fire during a sermon after residents resisted their demands.

 75 victims given mass burial

Meanwhile, at least 75 victims of the attack were given a mass burial yesterday at Woro community.

A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that although rumours suggested the death toll exceeded 150, “75 victims were given mass burial this afternoon (Wednesday).”

The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Danladi, led an official delegation to the affected communities during the burial.

Survivors recount ordeal

One of the survivors and village head of Woro, Umar Tanko, said he was away when the attackers struck but lost members of his family in the violence.

He said “I was away at my shop where I sell goods when an army of bandits arrived at my residence on Tuesday evening. My daughter and two sons were shot dead, while my second wife and two others were abducted.”

Another survivor, Razaq Abdulazeez, who lives on the outskirts of the town, said he narrowly escaped with his family, saying “I was returning home from work when I saw many people running towards the outskirts of the town. I asked what happened and was told they were escaping the wrath of bandits who had come to attack the community.

“I rushed to my house, packed my family members, and we es- caped into the deep bush on the outskirts of the town. Many people who could not run out of town climbed trees to avoid the bandits’ attack.”

Nursing student, brother among victims

Among those killed was Salihu Bio Khalid, a student of the Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences, KWASCONS. The deceased was a midwifery student and former President of the Student Union Government, SUG, and was reportedly killed alongside his brother.

Also, the National Association of Nigeria Comrades, NANC, Kwara Axis, described the incident as devastating, calling for strengthened security, a thorough investigation and justice for the victims.

Confirming the attack, the Kwara State Government, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq mourned the victims, describing the assault as a cowardly act and a sign of frustration by terrorist cells following sustained counterterrorism operations in the state.