Red Cross Confirms 162 Deaths in Kwara Massacre as Nigeria’s Insecurity Deepens

The Red Cross has confirmed that at least 162 people were killed in the Kwara massacre, one of the deadliest attacks recorded in Nigeria’s west-central region in recent years. The assault, which took place late Tuesday in Woro village, Kaiama Local Government Area, followed recent military operations targeting what authorities described as terrorist elements in the area.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had earlier confirmed 75 deaths, saying the victims were “local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.” Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, the governor disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved the immediate deployment of an army battalion under Operation Savannah Shield to launch counter-offensives against the attackers.

Updating the toll, Babaomo Ayodeji, Kwara State Secretary of the Red Cross, said the number of victims had risen to 162 as search and recovery efforts continued. Local officials reported that many residents fled into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds, raising fears that the casualty figure could climb further.

The gunmen reportedly invaded the community around 6:00 pm, setting shops and the king’s palace ablaze. Police confirmed the attack but did not release casualty figures, while the state government blamed terrorist cells operating in the region.

The Kwara massacre underscores Nigeria’s widening security crisis, as parts of the country continue to grapple with banditry, jihadist violence, and intercommunal conflict. Analysts note growing overlap between jihadist groups operating across the northwest and central states, complicating counterterrorism efforts.

Authorities have imposed curfews and temporarily closed schools in affected areas, highlighting the economic and social toll of persistent insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation.