A coordinated armed attack on two villages in Nigeria’s Kwara State has left scores of people dead, with authorities describing the violence as ideologically driven and linked to Islamist militants rather than criminal gangs.
State officials say the assailants struck the communities of Woro and Nuku on Tuesday, targeting residents who had resisted attempts to impose an extremist religious doctrine.
The state governor confirmed that at least 75 people were killed, though lawmakers and humanitarian groups caution that the final toll could rise significantly as recovery operations continue in the remote area.
During the assault, attackers reportedly torched houses and shops, abducted dozens of villagers and forced many others to flee.
Survivors say the gunmen arrived in the early evening and carried out the attack over several hours, overwhelming local defences.
Local representatives warned that militant activity had been spreading gradually in parts of Kwara, raising fears that the region is becoming a new front for extremist violence.
President Bola Tinubu has since authorised the deployment of additional military forces to restore security and pursue those responsible.
Rights groups have condemned the killings and urged Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability, citing reports that victims were shot at close range and, in some cases, burned. They also highlighted longstanding concerns over inadequate protection for rural communities.
The Kwara attack comes amid a spate of deadly incidents across Nigeria, underlining the country’s continuing struggle with insecurity fueled by insurgency, kidnappings and armed criminal networks.