Terrorists Kill Over 10 Villagers, Burn Houses In Fresh Attack On Kwara Communities

Ilorin,  Kwara State– Terrorists suspected to be bandits have launched a deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing more than 10 villagers and razing several houses.

Afrika Eyes gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the assailants, believed to be operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighbouring Niger State, stormed the agrarian settlements at about 6:00pm.

Residents said the attackers arrived heavily armed, shooting sporadically and instilling fear as they moved through the communities.

The sound of gunfire reportedly sent villagers fleeing into nearby bushes and farmlands in a desperate bid to escape death.

Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that many residents were caught unawares during the invasion, resulting in multiple fatalities, while several others sustained injuries.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of injured persons could not be independently confirmed.

Photographs obtained by Afrika Eyes from the scene of the attack show several houses burnt to ashes, with household items and food supplies destroyed.

The scale of destruction has left many families displaced, forcing survivors to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.

“The bandits came in large numbers. They were shooting everywhere. People were running in different directions. Some could not escape. Many houses were set on fire,” a resident, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, told Afrika Eyes.

Reacting to the incident, the Kwara State Government expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction of property.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was personally monitoring the situation and had been briefed by security agencies.

The Governor described the attack as a “cowardly expression of frustration” by terrorist cells allegedly reacting to the pressure mounted on them by ongoing security operations across parts of the state.

“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counter-terrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded,” the statement read.

According to the state government, preliminary intelligence suggests that the timing of the attack was a calculated attempt by the terrorists to divert the attention of security forces, who have recently recorded notable successes in tracking and dismantling kidnapping and banditry networks within the state.

Governor Abdulrazaq extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and the entire Kaiama community, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.

He assured residents that security agencies have been directed to intensify counter-terrorism and surveillance operations in the affected areas.