The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed that 162 people were killed in a brutal attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, marking one of the deadliest massacres in recent Nigerian history. Authorities warn that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The attack occurred on Tuesday evening, February 4, 2026, when armed gunmen stormed Woro village and surrounding settlements, reportedly rounding up residents before opening fire. Some survivors told investigators that attackers bound villagers’ hands and executed them systematically, while others fled into the bush to escape death. Homes, shops, and the palace of the local traditional ruler were reportedly set ablaze during the assault.
Babaomo Ayodeji, Secretary of the Red Cross in Kwara State, confirmed the casualty figure on Wednesday afternoon, following field assessments and the recovery of bodies by rescue teams. Earlier reports had suggested a lower death toll, but officials said the grim figure reflects the scale of destruction in the affected communities.
The victims reportedly included men, women, and children, some as young as seven, with many villagers sustaining injuries from gunfire or burns while trying to flee. Security sources revealed that the attack was carried out by suspected bandits and extremist groups operating across the North Central corridor, exploiting weak local security and difficult terrain to launch coordinated raids.
Several community leaders, including the traditional ruler of Woro, remain missing, while survivors recount scenes of chaos and terror as the assailants moved from house to house. Security forces, including the Nigeria Police and the military, have been deployed to the area, with ongoing bush-combing operations to track down the attackers and secure the communities.
The Kwara State Government condemned the massacre, describing it as “unacceptable barbarity” and promising to support victims’ families through mass burials, emergency relief, and humanitarian aid. The Red Cross has also provided emergency medical assistance and psychological support to survivors traumatized by the attack.
Residents and analysts have called on the federal government to strengthen security measures along vulnerable areas in Kwara State and neighboring regions, citing the massacre as a stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle insurgency and banditry in Nigeria’s North Central zone.
The Kwara massacre has sent shockwaves nationwide, with many urging immediate and sustained government intervention to prevent similar tragedies in other rural communities.
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