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THE SEASON OF KIDNAPPINGS AND CONDOLENCES: KILLINGS IN WORO AND NUKU COMMUNITIES IN KIAMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MATTERS ARISING
By Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo
The mood of the country changed to a pensive and regrettable prevalence with the unprecedented massacre of indigenes of Woro and Nuku communities in KIAMA Local Government of Kwara State recently in early February, 2026
The entire world was marvelled with disbelief and fear of heartlessness that took control of the hearts of the perpetrators of the wanton killings of hapless and innocent souls of the people of Woro and Nuku communities.
Honestly speaking , there have been series of killings of innocent souls in recent past which still continues both through kidnappings and outright invasion of communities in the dead of the night purposely to wipe out generations of different communities across the country
In the past years and recently too, we have witnessed several killings, for what?, is it for self determination? independence? attracting government attention ? Seek pity? retaliation? politically motivated
or attention seeking, religious indoctrination or for what really?
The attack on these two communities is a pointer that there is total collapse in all security architectures of the country not necessarily on major cities but especially on our border communities
Flowing from the various commentaries and reports that followed this attack , it was revealed that the communities are located in the border terrain of the country sharing land boundaries with Nigeria like Niger and Benin
As a matter of fact, religious intolerance should not have triggered the frightening attack on these and many other communities
The reaction of different countries across the world should send a very serious signal to the Federal Government and people of this country that Nigeria is under security siege with multidimensional security breaches
It is very expedient to bring to fore the classified information provided by the security agencies.
For instance , from the information released by the Defence Headquarters, it was revealed that the Terrorists Carried Out the Mass Killings In the two Communities in Kwara State after Residents Rejected ‘Indoctrination and unpalatable Preachings’
According to the DHQ, the assailants had earlier entered Woro village requesting permission to “conduct preaching and indoctrination sessions,” a demand the villagers reportedly rejected outright.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja confirmed that the deadly attack on Woro , Nuku and neighbouring communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State was carried out by terrorists angered by the villagers’ refusal to submit to ideological indoctrination.
According to the statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military described the assault as a “cowardly terrorist attack” that led to the loss of innocent lives, expressing shock and condolence to affected families and communities.
Sadly, my comparative findings revealed that over 200 residents were killed by the terrorists during the Tuesday attack.
The military said it was alerted of the impending attack and subsequently deployed troops to the area, maintaining robust patrols, surveillance, and other security measures for about two weeks before the attack
Why then should the military withdraw the troops from this location when it was actually pre-informed that assailants will be coming, this is part of dereliction of duty and porous nature of county’s borders points or for best reasons known to the military
“However, weeks after the troops withdrew, the cowardly terrorists returned to kill innocent citizens in protest and in a bid to terrorise inhabitants and others,” the statement said.
The extent of reaction to this needless attack showed that it was a bitter pill to swallow by Nigerians and the international community.
For instance, the Amnesty International condemned the alarming escalation of killings and abductions for ransom across Nigeria, warning that the continued bloodshed reflects the utter failure of Nigerian authorities to protect lives and properties.
In a statement issued by the global human rights organisation reflected that Nigerians were feeling increasingly unsafe as gunmen and criminal gangs operate with near-total impunity across several states.
Amnesty had described Tuesday, February 3rd 2026, as a “Bloody Tuesday,” following coordinated and deadly attacks in different parts of the country that left dozens of people dead.
According to the organisation, gunmen carried out deadly assaults in Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State, Doma Tafoki in Katsina State, and Abande in Benue State, where residents were reportedly killed in large numbers.
The same scenario of deadly attacks had played out in Borno, kastina, Zamfara, kogi, kebbi, Benue and Niger States,even nowhere is safe across the country
“Alarming escalation of attacks, abductions for ransom and frequent killings across Nigeria have left people feeling more unsafe, showing utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to protect lives and properties,” Amnesty International had said.
The assaults, carried out by Islamic State group-linked Lakurawa militants, came amid a worsening security crisis across the country, including violence involving Boko Haram in the Northeast and kidnappings in the Northwest.
These attacks across the country could be ascribed to generation cleansing because it is beyond ethnic nor religious attack if our leader could embark on critical evaluation of security situations in the country.
The available information revealed that the attacks were carried out by the Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State group but up till now No one or group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Ayodeji Emmanuel Babaomo, the Red Cross secretary in Kwara state, said the organisation has been unable to reach the communities where “scores of people were killed” because they are in a remote area – about eight hours from the state capital and near Nigeria’s border with Benin.
Footage from the scene on local television showed bodies lying in blood on the ground, some with their hands tied, as well as burning houses.
State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the attack as a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells” in response to ongoing military operations against armed extremists in the state.
Nigeria is in the grip of a complex security crisis, with an insurgency by Islamic militants in the northeast alongside a surge in kidnappings for ransom by gunmen across the northwest and north-central regions and Nigeria over recent months.
Separately on Tuesday, unknown gunmen killed at least 13 people in the village of Doma, in the northwestern state of Katsina, police spokesman Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Boko Haram extremists in northeastern Nigeria killed at least 36 people last week during separate attacks on a construction site and on an army base.
The armed groups in Nigeria include at least two affiliated with the IS group, an offshoot of the Boko Haram extremist group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast, and the lesser-known Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), known locally as Lakurawa, and prominent in the northwest.
The Nigerian military has said in the past that the Lakurawa has roots in neighbouring Niger and that it became more active in Nigeria’s border communities following a 2023 military coup.
James Barnett, a researcher at the Washington-based Hudson Institute, said the attack in Kwara state was most likely perpetrated by the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, or JAS, a Boko Haram faction that has been responsible for other recent massacres in the area.
On Tuesday, the head of US Africa Command said the United States had sent a small team of military officers to Nigeria, the latest step in its response to the security crisis. In December, US forces launched air strikes on IS group-affiliated militants in Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Republic of Türkiye condemned the deadly terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and pledging continued support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the terrorist attack that took place in Nigeria’s Kwara State.”
“We strongly condemn this heinous attack and extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria.
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Different eyewitnesses who spoke to reporters, said that the gunmen came around 5 pm and completely surrounded the community.
“They started shooting sporadically from all angles so nobody could escape,” he said.
One Umar Bio added that residents who tried to flee were shot, while those who surrendered were taken to the palace of the village head.
“People who ran were gunned down. Those who stayed back were gathered at the palace, tied up and shot,” he said.
He further revealed that several people were abducted during the attack including close relatives of the traditional ruler.
“The wife of the village head, his mother and three of his children were among those taken away by the attackers,” Umar disclosed.
Also, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the killings of over 160 people in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, describing the attack as a clear failure of the government’s primary duty to protect lives.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Comrade Debo Adeniran, the National President of CDHR, and Comrade Deacon Jeremiah Onyibe, the National Publicity Secretary, the human rights group expressed outrage over what it described as a barbaric massacre of innocent Nigerians, reportedly carried out by extremist elements operating in the area.
CDHR said the victims were defenseless residents who were attacked simply for refusing to submit to extremist beliefs, adding that the incident shows how cheap human life has become in Nigeria.
The group extended condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Kwara State, noting that the scale of the killings has left the affected communities traumatized and devastated.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, CDHR stressed that the security and welfare of citizens is not optional but a constitutional obligation of government.
According to the organization, the killing of close to 200 people in one operation, despite reported warning signs, amounts to a catastrophic collapse of the state’s security responsibility.
“The government exists primarily to protect its people,” the group said, adding that any administration that cannot guarantee safety in homes and farms has failed morally and legally.
While acknowledging the recent deployment of an army battalion to the area, CDHR described the move as reactive and belated.
The human rights organization noted that the communities in Kwara and neighboring Niger State had raised concerns about growing extremist activities long before the attack.
CDHR called for an independent investigation into the incident to determine why intelligence warnings were allegedly ignored and demanded a permanent security presence in identified flashpoints rather than temporary operations.
The organization also urged the government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators while providing immediate humanitarian and psychological support to survivors and displaced residents of Kaiama.
Again, the Ilorin emirate for unity development initiative.lend it’s Voice by calling on the Kwara State Government to enhance security measures in the state.
The organization notes with concern the escalating insecurity in Kwara North and South Senatorial Districts, leading to lost of lives, displacement and disruption of socio-economic activities.
In a statement signed by National President, Alh. Moshood Lekan Salau, and National Secretary, Hon. Abdullahi AbdulRauph AbdulSalam, IEUDI commiserates with the Emir of Kaiama, the government, and people of Kaiama Local Government, urging them to find solace in Allah’s will.
IEUDI calls on the Kwara State Government to be more proactive in addressing security challenges, improve security coordination, and adopt modern tactics to combat insurgency.
IEUDI prays for the repose of the victims, seeks Allah’s forgiveness, and wishes them Aljanat Fridous.
The organization also sympathizes with the bereaved families and loved ones.
As part of matters arising from Woro and Nuku communities attacked recently, Suspected Boko Haram terrorists linked to Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) have reportedly written a threatening letter to residents of Dunshigogo community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In a report provided by SaharaReporters news , it was gathered gathered that the letter, allegedly delivered to the community, warned residents that the insurgents would soon visit the area — a language similar to a previous threat issued to Worro community, where close to 200 people were later slaughtered in a deadly attack.
SaharaReporters learnt that the letter has caused panic among residents of Dunshigogo, with many considering fleeing the community amid fears of an imminent attack.
“Information reaching me now is that Dunshigogo still under Kaiama Local Government has been served the same letter, like that of Worro by terrorists.
“I understand that businesses are already closing up and people are fleeing en mass.
“I don’t even know who to call on now that won’t sabotage the lives of these people,” a top source revealed, this is scaring and disheartening to patriotic and concerned Nigerians , a resident of the community.lamentrd .
*Urgent and sincere Solutions to banditry, kidnappings and incessant invasion of communities*
The current embarrassing increase in security breaches and challenges across the length and breath of Nigeria require multi-dimensional approaches:
1, Technology-driven security operations (drones, surveillance and joint forces)
2, Combined efforts of security agencies should find the root socio-economic, political and metaphysical causes of this threatening scenario in our social space.
3, Federal Government should not pretend that social factors like poverty and joblessness and sense of abandonment by the able bodied youths are part of the reason for rising insecurity in Nigeria , hence, Federal Government and sub government should reinforce social interventions with sincerity of purpose
4, There is a need for entrenched community-based policing this will bring to bear the real sense of security agencies commitment to proactive actions and solutions rather than reactive approaches by border communities
5, There has been persistent serious advocacy for the government to cut off financing and prevent criminal entrenchment. As part of the key element involves discouraging criminal incentives, such as by preventing ransom payments and encourage law enforcement’s capabilities and coordination.
Security & Intelligence Solutions
*Specialized Units:*
Recruit, train, and equip counter-banditry units with modern tools like armoured vehicles.
Improved Intelligence: Enhance collaboration between military, police, DSS, and local vigilantes, focusing on forest hideouts with the involvement of community security outfits
*Border Security:* Federal Government must constantly Strengthen border patrols and surveillance to curb cross-border movement.
*Socio-Economic & Governance Solutions* :
Create jobs, especially for youth, and implement poverty alleviation programs.
Social Safety Nets: Expand welfare programs for vulnerable populations.
*Good Governance:*
Improve accountability and governance to ensure that resources are used effectively.
*Community Policing:*
Integrate community members into local security structures for better intelligence and patrol.
Strategic Approaches and Community
Mobilization
The Federal Government must channel the strategy of Empowering communities through traditional rulers local leaders and engage social media for proper reporting and timely response to distress calls and classified information that will aid effective performances of security agencies.
Time to be proactive and act swiftly by all patriotic Nigerians is now.
Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga milr fcia fimpa JP is a Trade Unionist and Public Policy Analyst
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