ADDIS ABABA / ABUJA — Benin and the African Union (AU) have strongly condemned a brutal terror attack in Nigeria's Kwara State that has claimed at least 170 lives, describing it as a heinous act of violence and reaffirming solidarity with the Nigerian government and affected communities.
The assault, which occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, targeted the remote villages of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, a region bordering Niger and increasingly affected by banditry, kidnappings, and incursions by armed groups fleeing military operations in neighboring northwest states.
Benin, in a statement issued Thursday, February 5, expressed its “most sincere condolences” to the families of the victims, the Nigerian people, and the government. It reiterated its unwavering solidarity with Abuja in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, stressing the critical need to preserve peace and stability across the West African region.
The African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described the attack as a “heinous and barbaric act” that constitutes a grave violation of human rights and an “unacceptable” assault on peace and security. In a statement released Wednesday, February 4, Youssouf extended heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and conveyed the AU's “full solidarity” with the Nigerian government and Kwara State authorities.
The AU reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting Nigeria's ongoing efforts to strengthen peace, security, and stability nationwide, emphasizing the need for collective regional action against terrorism.
The attack has been described by survivors and officials as one of the deadliest in Nigeria this year. Gunmen—reportedly numbering around 100—stormed the communities in the evening, rounding up residents, binding their hands, executing them at close range, razing homes, looting shops, and burning properties. Eyewitnesses told media outlets that the assailants targeted villagers who resisted demands to embrace extremist ideologies or renounce the state.
Kwara State authorities initially confirmed that 75 victims were buried in a mass grave on Wednesday, February 4, following Islamic rites. However, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed, representing the area, told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that 170 bodies had been recovered, with the toll expected to rise further as residents and search teams continue combing surrounding bushland and forests for additional corpses.
“Information at my disposal indicated that the casualties have risen to 170. So, our people are still in the bush searching for more bodies. Thirty-five women were abducted. Survivors are also taking refuge in the bush,” Ahmed stated.
The Red Cross in Kwara reported a death toll of around 162 as of Wednesday afternoon, with search efforts hampered by the remote location—approximately eight hours from the state capital—and difficult terrain. Amnesty International cited over 170 deaths, noting many victims were shot execution-style or burnt alive.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the assault as “cowardly and barbaric,” blaming Boko Haram and other terrorist elements. He announced the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama to “checkmate barbaric terrorists,” protect remote communities, and prevent further attacks. Tinubu described the killings as retaliation against villagers who rejected extremist indoctrination.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called the incident a “pure massacre” and a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells” responding to recent military operations in the area. The governor visited the affected communities to commiserate with residents and coordinate response efforts.
The region has seen escalating insecurity linked to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the spillover of armed groups—including elements of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other jihadists—displaced by counterterrorism campaigns in the northwest and north-central zones. Kwara's forest belts and border areas have become vulnerable transit routes and hideouts.
No group has officially claimed responsibility, though authorities and some reports have pointed to Boko Haram or affiliated factions. The incident highlights persistent challenges in Nigeria's fight against terrorism, despite ongoing military operations and international support.
Benin and the AU's condemnations underscore regional concern over the spread of violent extremism and the need for enhanced cooperation to address root causes and cross-border threats.
Search and recovery operations continue, with survivors receiving humanitarian assistance amid fears of additional casualties and abductions. Nigerian security forces are pursuing the attackers, who reportedly fled toward border areas.
The tragedy has drawn widespread domestic and international outrage, with calls for justice, accountability, and stronger measures to protect vulnerable rural populations.
