At least ten people have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by armed bandits on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, in what residents described as one of the most violent assaults on the area in recent times.
The attack occurred at about 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen, said to be numbering about 200, invaded the rural communities, firing sporadically and setting houses ablaze. The sudden onslaught threw residents into panic, forcing men, women and children to flee into nearby bushes and neighbouring settlements in a desperate bid to escape death.
A community leader in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that no fewer than ten residents were killed during the attack, while several houses were completely razed. He said the attackers were believed to be bandits who had been hiding in the forest areas of the Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu Local Government Area of neighbouring Niger State.
According to him, the gunmen arrived in large numbers and struck with precision, first overrunning Woro community before moving towards Nuku, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
“They came in their hundreds, shooting everywhere,” the community leader said. “People were running in different directions. Some were killed while trying to escape, and others were shot inside their houses. Many homes were set on fire, and families have lost everything.”
Eyewitnesses gave harrowing accounts of the attack, describing how the assailants moved from house to house, torching buildings and shooting at anyone in sight. Several villagers were reportedly caught in the crossfire as they attempted to flee, while others, including the elderly and children, were unable to escape in time.
One resident said the attackers appeared well-coordinated and heavily armed, overwhelming the communities before any form of resistance or security intervention could be mounted.
“They surrounded the villages and started shooting,” the resident said. “People were screaming and running. Some fell on the way and were killed. Others hid in the bush until nightfall.”
Another resident of Kaiama, Idris Mohammed, disclosed that as of Wednesday morning, about six corpses were lying at the palace of the Emir of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar. According to him, the palace became a temporary gathering point for victims and grieving families after the attack.
“The bodies were brought to the Emir’s palace because people were afraid to leave them in the open,” Mohammed said. “Many families are still searching for missing relatives.”
The attack has further heightened fears among residents of Kaiama and surrounding communities, who have long complained about insecurity linked to banditry, kidnapping and incursions from armed groups operating along the Kwara–Niger axis. The proximity of the area to vast forest reserves has made it vulnerable to criminal gangs seeking hideouts and escape routes.
The Kwara State Government confirmed the attack on Wednesday through a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye. In the statement, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly assault on innocent civilians.
“Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is saddened by the cowardly attack on civilians in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area,” the statement read.
The governor attributed the attack to what he described as a desperate response by terrorist cells facing sustained pressure from ongoing counterterrorism operations in parts of the state.
“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded,” the statement said.
According to the government, the attack was likely intended to divert the attention of security forces who have recently intensified operations against criminal gangs across Kwara State.
“Governor AbdulRazaq says the attack was apparently to distract the security forces who have successfully hunted down several terrorist and kidnapping gangs across many parts of the state,” the statement added.
The governor also extended his condolences to the affected communities, particularly families who lost loved ones and property in the attack.
“The Governor expresses heartfelt condolences to Woro and Nuku communities on the sad incident, especially the families affected in the Tuesday attack,” Ajakaye said on behalf of the governor.
Security agencies have reportedly been deployed to the area to restore calm and pursue the attackers, although residents expressed concern that help arrived only after the bandits had fled. Some villagers called for a more permanent security presence, warning that without sustained action, the attackers could strike again.
The lawmaker representing Kaiama constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Halidu Danbaba, also confirmed the incident and described it as tragic and unacceptable. He appealed to both the state and federal governments to urgently extend ongoing military operations in Kwara South to Kaiama and neighbouring areas.
Danbaba noted that the appeal was particularly important given the resumption of schools in the area, warning that students, teachers and parents could become easy targets if insecurity persists.
“Our people are living in fear,” the lawmaker said. “We appreciate the efforts of the government so far, but Kaiama needs immediate and sustained military intervention. With schools resuming, the safety of our children must be guaranteed.”
Community leaders echoed the call, urging the government to strengthen security around forest borders and improve intelligence gathering to prevent further attacks. They also appealed for humanitarian assistance for displaced families who lost their homes and belongings in the violence.
As residents mourn the dead and count their losses, the attack on Woro and Nuku communities underscores the persistent security challenges facing rural areas in Kwara State and the wider North-Central region. For many villagers, the fear now is not only about what has happened, but about what may come next if decisive action is not taken.
