The United States has issued a firm condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many residents feared missing.
In an official statement, the U.S. government described the incident as a “tragic act of violence” and a “senseless” assault that is cruel and unacceptable. It expressed deep sympathy to the grieving families and communities devastated by the killings, which occurred between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The American government praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response, particularly his directive to deploy additional security forces to the affected area and his instructions to federal and state agencies to provide immediate emergency assistance, including food, shelter, medical care, and other forms of relief to survivors and displaced persons.
The statement welcomed these measures as critical steps toward restoring security and supporting victims, while emphasising that protecting vulnerable rural communities must remain a top priority for Nigerian authorities.
The U.S. underscored the importance of accountability, stating that those responsible for the attack must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. It stressed that holding perpetrators accountable is essential to prevent future incidents and to reassure citizens that the government is committed to safeguarding lives and upholding the rule of law.
The full U.S. statement read:
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.
“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice.”
The attack, carried out by suspected members of the Mamuda terrorist group, reportedly lasted for several hours, with residents alleging that security forces arrived approximately 10 hours after distress calls were made. By the time troops reached the community, the attackers had fled, leaving behind widespread destruction—nearly half the village was reportedly burnt, including homes, and dozens of bodies were recovered from surrounding bushes.
The village head, Alhaji Umar Salihu, had earlier attributed the assault to the community’s refusal to accept the group’s extremist ideology and noted that the area had been left vulnerable following the withdrawal of a previous military detachment months earlier.
Local authorities confirmed that search and rescue operations remain ongoing, with fears that the casualty figure could rise as more bodies are discovered and some residents are still unaccounted for. Many survivors have fled to neighbouring towns for safety.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage both within Nigeria and internationally. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the country as a “killing field,” while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan called the repeated killings “unacceptable and deeply troubling.” Civil society organisations have renewed calls for stronger, proactive security measures in rural and border communities repeatedly targeted by bandits and terrorists.
President Tinubu had earlier ordered the deployment of an Army battalion to the area, the appointment of a field commander, and the launch of Operation Savanna Shield to contain the threat and protect vulnerable communities. He also directed relevant agencies to collaborate on providing immediate relief and ensuring that perpetrators are tracked down and prosecuted.
The U.S. statement reinforces growing international concern over the spread of insecurity into regions previously considered relatively stable, and it aligns with calls for sustained, preventive security strategies to safeguard Nigerian citizens from further violence.
