At least 10 people were feared dead on Tuesday evening after heavily armed bandits attacked Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Residents said the attackers, estimated to be about 200 in number, stormed the community around 6:00 pm, firing gunshots indiscriminately and spreading panic among villagers. The assault reportedly lasted for more than an hour before security forces could respond.
A resident, Mr Ahmed Yinusa, told Daily Trust that the military response was delayed due to the long distance between Kaiama town and Woro village, which he said is over 50 kilometres, coupled with poor road conditions.
“The bandits were many and operated freely for over an hour. Several people were killed and houses were set on fire,” he said, adding that unconfirmed reports put the death toll at about 10.
Another resident, Mallam Idris Mohammed, said six corpses were seen at the palace of the Emir of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar. He also confirmed that the attackers set the Emir’s palace ablaze, although it was unclear whether the monarch was present during the attack.
The lawmaker representing Kaiama constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Halidu Danbaba, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview. He appealed to both the state and federal governments to extend ongoing military operations in other parts of the state to Kaiama, especially as schools are preparing to resume.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly assault on innocent civilians” in Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities.
The governor said the incident was likely an attempt by terrorist groups to distract security agencies amid ongoing counterterrorism operations in parts of Kwara State.
He expressed condolences to the affected families and communities through his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Security agencies are yet to release an official casualty figure as investigations continue.
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