A deadly attack on Nigeria’s Woro village has claimed at least 162 lives, according to Red Cross officials.
Local government representative of the Kaiama Local Government area in Kwara State, Saidu Baba Ahmed, told Reuters that the death toll could reach 170.
Eyewitnesses said armed men rounded up residents, tied their hands and executed them before setting their homes and shops ablaze.
One of the survivors and village head of Woro, Umar Tanko, told local media he was away when the attackers struck but lost members of his family in the violence.
“I was away at my shop where I sell goods when an army of bandits arrived at my residence on Tuesday evening. My daughter and two sons were shot dead, while my second wife and two others were abducted,” Tanko said.
Survivors believe the attackers were jihadists who had previously preached in the community, demanding allegiance to Sharia law.
While the Kwara State Government condemned the assault, calling it a cowardly act by frustrated terrorist cells, President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate troop deployment to curb worsening insecurity in the area.
A statement released by Special Advisor to the President, Bayo Onanuga, said the president “urged collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide succour to members of the community and ensure those who committed the atrocities do not go scot-free.”
At least 75 victims received a mass burial on Wednesday as officials visited the devastated village.
In a related incident, 17 people were killed the same day in an attack on Abande market in Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen.
