More than 170 people have been brutally executed in a suspected Islamist attack on a remote Nigerian village, according to local officials and survivors. The massacre in Woro, Kwara region, represents one of the deadliest incidents of sectarian violence to rock Nigeria this year.
Horrific Details of the Woro Village Massacre
Local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed provided chilling details to Reuters news agency about Tuesday's attack. Gunmen rounded up villagers, bound their hands behind their backs, and executed them in what appears to be a systematic killing operation. The jihadist raiders had reportedly demanded that residents embrace Sharia law before opening fire when villagers resisted.
Survivors Describe Terrifying Ordeal
Survivors of the Woro village attack described a coordinated assault by armed militants who not only executed residents but also torched homes and shops before fleeing the area. The attackers' demand for Sharia law implementation highlights the religious dimension of Nigeria's escalating sectarian conflicts.
"As I'm speaking to you now, I'm in the village along with military personnel, sorting dead bodies and combing the surrounding areas for more," Ahmed told Reuters from the scene. Authorities continue to search surrounding bushland for additional survivors and victims.
Security Response and Ongoing Crisis
Kwara police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyem confirmed that police and military forces have been mobilised to the area for search-and-rescue operations. However, officials have declined to provide exact casualty figures as recovery efforts continue.
Pattern of Violence in Central Nigeria
Woro sits in Nigeria's central Kwara region, an area increasingly targeted by armed groups who raid villages, kidnap residents, and loot livestock. This latest attack follows a pattern of escalating violence that has seen Nigeria become a focal point for international concern.
Just last month, approximately 150 churchgoers were kidnapped by bandits in a separate incident, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing Africa's most populous nation.
International Context and US Involvement
Nigeria's sectarian violence has drawn significant international attention in recent months. Former US President Donald Trump previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians, leading to American forces striking what they described as terrorist targets on Christmas Day last year.
The country continues to grapple with complex security challenges as various armed groups operate across different regions, creating humanitarian crises and testing government responses to violence against civilian populations.
