‘They wanted no one alive’: Survivors describe Nigeria’s latest village massacre
Survivors of a deadly attack on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State say gunmen stormed the community with the clear intention of wiping out residents, killing scores of people and abducting dozens more.
The attackers struck around 5pm local time on Tuesday, February 3, as the village hosted a large wedding ceremony and youth football matches, drawing unusually large crowds. Survivors told local media that hundreds of gunmen arrived on motorcycles, three to a bike, armed with rifles and explosives, and surrounded the community before opening fire, the Vanguard reports.
“They were shooting everyone in sight,” said Ibrahim Farouk, a farmer who survived after being shot in the thigh. “Those who ran were chased into the bush and killed. Those who hid in their houses were burnt inside. They wanted no one alive.”
Farouk said the attackers also threw explosives into homes and shops, torching large parts of the village. Several victims were shot at close range, while others were burned alive. By Friday, at least 35 additional bodies had been recovered from nearby forests, according to residents.
Another survivor, Joshua Deme, said some of the attackers appeared to be teenagers. “The one who shot me was not even 15,” he said. “The younger ones were shooting, while the older ones burned houses.”
A third survivor, miner Usman Bangoro, said the gunmen wore military-style uniforms, initially confusing residents. “You would think they were soldiers,” he said. “But they shot at anything that moved.”
Residents said the attackers abducted about 75 people, including women and children, and used a village vehicle to transport some of the captives. A bomb planted along the Kaiama road later exploded, burning a truck carrying agricultural produce.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Ilorin and Kainji, with local authorities providing ambulances. Survivors say blood shortages have delayed surgeries for some victims.
Community members claim the attackers had earlier sent a message saying they wanted to “preach,” but local leaders rejected the request and alerted security agencies. Troops were reportedly deployed briefly but left days before the attack.
The massacre is the latest in a series of mass killings linked to armed groups operating across central and northwestern Nigeria.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
