2026 Kwara State attacks

Prelude The attackers were reportedly jihadists based in forests around the Borgu region who previously preached in Woro and had ordered residents to embrace their version of Sharia. They had earlier preached in border villages in Niger State, encouraging residents to embrace their version of Sharia and reject the Nigerian constitution and foundations by disobedience to the government and bowing to the soon to be attackers demends Amnesty International reported they sent letters and pamphlets to Woro two weeks before the attack. The last warning letter, delivered in January, was addressed by Boko Haram under its formal name and its leader in Lake Chad, Bakura Doro. Attack The attack on Nuku and Woro, which are neighbouring, predominately Muslim villages in Kaiama, Kwara, It lasted several hours and extended till 03:00 the following morning. Hundreds of gunmen were present, according to a local Red Cross official. They were armed with explosives, AK-47s, and pump action weapons, and had surrounded the village, blocking its exits. The attackers began firing after the villagers rejected their demands. The attackers, who rode motorbikes, moved door-to-door, executing residents and setting fire to buildings. They also fired at motorists along a federal highway that passed into the area. Between 18:30 and 20:00, the attack entered an "execution phase", where the killings escalated. A military aircraft hovered over the site at around 20:00, prompting the attackers to retreat. Residents began emerging an hour later, and the attackers, after regrouping, called for prayers at a mosque as a ruse, killing people who showed up. Approximately 38 homes were destroyed. The fate of several people remained unknown. Many residents fled into the surrounding bushland. A survivor said residents who were unable to escape climbed treetops to survive. == Casualties ==

Initial reports said between 35 and 40 people were killed in the attack. The death toll was later reported to have risen to over 200, as more bodies were recovered from the surrounding bushland. A local said around 95% of the dead were Muslim, and the rest were Christian. It was the deadliest attack in Nigeria in 2026, and according to the Critical Threats Project, the deadliest outside of northeast Nigeria to date and the deadliest jihadist attack of the decade. == Perpetrators ==

Omar Bio said the attacks were conducted by the Islamic State-affiliated group Lakurawa, although no group took responsibility. The Critical Threats Project said it was unlikely Lakurawa was the perpetrator, since the group normally operates further north near the border of Niger. President Bola Tinubu also blamed Boko Haram. == Aftermath ==

Following the attacks, police officers and soldiers were mobilised to carry out search-and-rescue operations. Tinubu said the operation aimed to protect local villages and to "checkmate the barbaric terrorists". At least 78 bodies were recovered by residents and buried on 4 February. By 5 February, only around 20 men were left in villages to bury the dead. Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called it a "brutal and deliberate massacre" motivated by extremism rather than banditry. He visited Woro and Nuku on 4 February, where he described the massacre as a genocide. Ademola Adeleke, the governor of neighbouring Osun State, gave his condolences to the victims and issued tightened security for border communities in his state. The United States Department of State condemned the "horrific" attack and offered its condolences. Turkey also condemned the attack and vowed to continue supporting Nigeria in its operations against terrorism. United Nations secretary-general António Guterres gave his "heartfelt condolences" and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. The African Union and countries including Germany and Benin also issued statements of solidarity. == Notes ==