Surv!vors of overnight m∆ssacre in Kwara villages speak

Survivors of overnight massacre in Kwara villages speak

The survivors of a brutal jihadist attack on Woro and Nuku in Kwara State have shared harrowing accounts of the violence that left at least 75 people dead and dozens abducted.

“They came en masse in the name of religion, and they decided to kill our people,” said Abdulla Umar Usman, a former teacher and resident of Woro, explaining how the attack unfolded.

“They sent a letter asking to preach. Then they massacred us,” he added, describing how the community rejected the extremists’ request to spread what they called a version of Islam that the locals did not welcome.

Traditional Ruler’s Family Targeted
The attackers went straight to the home of the traditional leader, Umar Bio Salihu. Salihu was not at home at the time, but his children were at the house.

“Two of the community head’s children, who were medical students, were killed in front of the house before they set it ablaze,” Usman said.

Salihu confirmed the loss and abductions, saying, “They killed two of my children and abducted my wife and three children.”

The militants went on a killing spree that lasted all night. “They massacred everyone. It is just devastating,” said Mohammed Dauda, a local official.

Amnesty International reported that many of the dead had been found with their hands and feet tied, some had their throats slit, others had been shot dead.

“They killed two of my children and abducted my wife and three others,” Salihu reiterated, describing the trauma his family suffered.

Militants Tried to Impose Their Rule
The attackers reportedly demanded that residents renounce the Nigerian government and its constitution and instead follow their teachings. Salihu said this was “against what the Quran teaches.”

Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International in Nigeria, explained, “These communities have been receiving these pamphlets, soliciting them to join the extremist views and preaching by these militants. After they see a bit of resistance from the people, they then started sending them warnings.”

Local MP Saidu Baba Ahmed said the final letter was sent to Salihu, who contacted security forces. However, the military went to the area briefly to investigate, but after they left, the jihadists launched their assault.

Security Lapse Sparks Outrage
Sanusi criticized the failure of security forces: “We are wondering why this security lapse was allowed to happen, why the authorities could not take action. In fact, they even went to the mosque and prayed there. They forced a few people to go and listen to their preaching. That means they had enough time… adequate time to do whatever they liked.”

Communities Left in Ruins
Residents and soldiers began the grim task of burying the bodies. “I was among those who buried 30 corpses,” Dauda said. “We have never experienced this before in Kaiama local government area.”

A 79-year-old man told Reuters that his wife and four children had been abducted. Survivors say the dusty roads around the villages remain deserted, and the once-busy markets are empty.

“They knew exactly where the vigilantes lived, and they went straight to attack them,” Salihu said. “They burnt them into ashes… about eight of them.”

Troops Deployed
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion to respond to the attack.

Residents say the attackers likely emerged from forested areas near Kainji Lake National Park, where militants are known to operate.