Public concern has intensified over insecurity in parts of the country after coordinated attacks in Kwara and Benue states left scores dead, with fresh pressure mounting on the Federal Government to strengthen security operations.
More than 100 people were reportedly killed on Tuesday night when armed militants invaded Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. Another deadly assault was also recorded in Abande community, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, where several residents lost their lives.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed 75 deaths. He spoke on Wednesday night at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama while addressing residents over the tragedy.
He said the victims were “local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.”
The governor added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the immediate deployment of an Army battalion to the area for counter-offensive operations under the code name Operation Savannah Shield.
Security sources linked the attack to Lakurawa, an armed faction believed to have ties with the Islamic State Sahel Province. The incident has drawn scrutiny to the Federal Government’s ongoing security strategy.
The lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Bio, also acknowledged the attack but said casualty figures remained uncertain due to conflicting reports.
“There are conflicting reports about the killings. Some of the reports say about 100 people were killed, others say 100 plus, and others say about 160. We don’t have the correct report.
“These are reports coming from the communities, but we don’t have the exact figures. There are killings, but no one can ascertain the correct number. We are calling on the Federal Government to step in and assist us in protecting lives and property. The situation is quite devastating.”
Community sources suggested the number of victims could exceed official figures. About 70 bodies were reportedly buried in a mass grave in Woro on Wednesday.
Residents said the attackers had earlier moved through border settlements in neighbouring Niger State, urging locals to abandon Nigeria’s constitution and adopt Islamic law.
One source said, “When they brought the same message to Woro and Nuku, some people challenged them. That angered the bandits, and they opened fire on the gathering, shooting indiscriminately.”
Another villager disclosed that the same group had attempted similar preaching in Baburasa community in the Borgu axis but was rejected by the traditional ruler.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. The head of Woro village, Alhaji Umar Tanko, told local authorities that he lost close family members in the attack.
“I was in my shop when they arrived. They shot my children and took my second wife away,” he said.
A resident, Razaq Abdulazeez, said he fled with his household after panic spread.
“Those who couldn’t run climbed trees to avoid the attackers,” he added.
Reacting, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, called for stronger military action along the Niger border.
“I am calling for an escalation of operations to flush out these criminals. Communities must also cooperate fully with security agencies,” he said.
Senator Saliu Mustapha also urged the deployment of more troops, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the need for vigilance.
The Kwara chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party condemned the killings, describing them as “despicable and inhuman,” while warning that insecurity required more decisive action than sympathy statements.
“This incident shows that Kwara is far from overcoming banditry. What is needed is decisive and people-oriented leadership,” the party said.
Data compiled from recent security incidents indicated that at least 271 people were killed and 253 abducted within four weeks across Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
In Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State alone, 177 church worshippers were abducted earlier in the month. Additional killings were reported in Kasuwan Daji Market in Niger State, Damala village and Doma community in Katsina State.
Former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, described the massacre as a national emergency and called for urgent federal intervention.
‘’Yesterday’s killing of over 100 people in Woro community, Kaiama Local Government Area, is a national disaster. What we are witnessing in parts of Kwara State—particularly in the northern and southern senatorial districts—has gone beyond the capacity of the state government and now requires decisive, direct federal intervention.
“What we require now to stop this mass destruction of lives and properties in our state and to restore harmony is the decisive and direct intervention from President Tinubu. We call on the Commander-in-Chief to direct the General Officer Commanding of the Second Mechanised Infantry Division, Ibadan, to second his men to deploy into the troubled districts of Kwara State and to establish a base in the affected areas.
“There is also the need for other security agencies to work together and have a strong presence across our state. That is the only way we can deter these assailants.
“The insurgents who are running away from the firepower of the security agencies in other states in the North-Central zone should not be allowed to find a comfort zone in Kwara State.
“Kwara State is too strategic to this country that we should not allow insurgency to gain ground there. It is a state located in the middle of the country and serves as a bridge between the North and the Southwest. It also has an international border with the Republic of Benin and shares borders with many other states.”
He sympathised with victims’ families.
“May Almighty Allah comfort them and grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss. Also, may He heal all the wounded.
“However, we should not limit our reaction to this sad development to mere press comments. We should ensure that this violence against our people does not happen again anywhere in Kwara State,” he noted.
Saraki added that authorities at all levels must intensify protection of lives and property.
“Kwara State has not always been this unsafe. The state has always been a peaceful place, and that is why it earned the sobriquet ‘State of Harmony’. Unfortunately, things have gone this badly.
“The level of killings, arson, and displacement of people that we are witnessing now is unprecedented.
There must be decisive measures to stop this orchestrated violence against the people. It is an unfortunate situation. This attack in Woro is a national emergency.
“What these criminals did in Woro was to wage war against Nigeria. It is a war the country must win, without delay. May Almighty Allah (SWT) give our country victory over these non-state actors.”
Opposition parties also reacted. The New Nigeria People’s Party condemned the killings and urged a total overhaul of the nation’s security framework.
“It is very unfortunate. First, NNPP commiserate with the families of those who passed away, were murdered or wounded. We pray that within a short time, those who are currently unaccounted for will be found and returned to their families at home.
“These killings and continued insecurity should not be used as a political tool. We must all come together as one to fight this banditry and insurgency.
“However, we must state that we are very disappointed in the gross incompetence of this government in ensuring the safety of the lives and property of Nigerians as enshrined in the constitution.
“We urge the government to go back to the drawing board and look at the security architecture and adjust the budgets where necessary for the defence and security agencies to ensure we concentrate on the areas that will help us. If we need drone technology to safeguard this country, let us do that. These bandits are just coming and rushing out. They need to bring Niger and Chad to the table too.”
In Kwara, the PDP also faulted Governor AbdulRazaq’s response, describing it as “gruesome, despicable, inhuman and callous.”
The party added that the government’s reaction was inadequate and called for humanitarian and medical support for victims.
Security presence has since increased in the affected communities. Soldiers and Forest Guards have taken control of the villages, while counter-terror operations have intensified across forest corridors.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, suspected bandits attacked Abande community on market day. Residents fled after gunmen opened fire, looted shops and set parts of the market ablaze.
Casualty figures varied. A local leader claimed 17 deaths, while the traditional ruler reported seven, including a police officer. Police authorities confirmed five fatalities.
“Six of my people and a policeman were killed, and their bodies were recovered Tuesday night. The other three policemen fled, leaving the area exposed,” the monarch said.
Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the attack, stating that an Assistant Superintendent of Police died during the response operation.
“Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives,” Edet said.
Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, describing them as “an assault on our shared humanity.”
“My heart goes out to the peaceful people of Abande. This government will not relent in its duty to protect lives and property,” he said.
Additional deployments of troops and armoured units have been ordered, while security agencies continue manhunts for the perpetrators.
The latest wave of violence has also drawn attention in the Senate. Lawmakers raised alarm over renewed attacks in Katsina State, where at least 35 people were reportedly killed within 24 hours across multiple local government areas.
Authorities warned that persistent insecurity has left more than 50,000 farmlands inaccessible, posing serious risks to food production and livelihoods.
Security agencies say operations are ongoing to contain the violence and prevent further loss of life.
