Woro, Nigeria — Massacre Leaves Community in Ruins. Woro, Nigeria — A violent massacre in Woro, Kwara State, Nigeria, has left the community in ruins and its residents reeling from loss and trauma. Gunmen are suspected to be linked to ISIL, having targeted the predominantly Muslim community after a refusal to allow them to preach in the town.
According to local reports, on Tuesday evening, the gunmen stormed Woro and a neighboring town, killing approximately 200 people. Survivors describe the attackers barricading a local shop before setting it ablaze, trapping those inside.
The shop was reduced to a charred shell, with the bodies of Umaru Tanko’s friend’s son and grandson found huddled together, burned beyond recognition.
Three days after the attack, smoldering fires were still visible across central Woro, where much of the violence occurred.
The town’s streets are now filled with twisted metal, burned household items, and the eerie silence of a once-thriving community. Survivors spoke of hiding in nearby bushes, fleeing under the cover of darkness, or crawling through gaps in fences as gunshots echoed.
Despite the presence of Nigerian army personnel carriers and the regional military commander, residents are struggling to rebuild their lives.
The mosque, which once overflowed on Fridays, now stands sparsely filled, its courtyard empty. Locals estimated that the town, which once housed around 17,000 people, now has fewer than 200 residents left.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered security forces to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, commanding the 22nd Brigade of the army, emphasized the priority is to restore stability.
In the village cemetery, residents are facing the grim task of burying the dead.
Many were buried in mass graves due to a lack of strength and resources. Dozens of women and children are reported to have been kidnapped during the attack, their whereabouts still unknown.
The attack has been linked to various armed groups operating in the region, including ISIL, al — Qaeda, Boko Haram, and Lakurawa.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing security challenges in the area. Further details are expected as the situation continues to develop. Aljazeera.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
