Nigerians React As Jihadists Kill 170 People In Kwara Over Rejection Of Sharia Law

At least 162 people have been killed in Kwara State in what is now Nigeria’s deadliest armed attack this year.

The Red Cross and local officials ssid that the attack took place on Tuesday in Woro village.

Babaomo Ayodeji, the Red Cross state secretary, confirmed the death toll at 162 by Wednesday afternoon.

However, a local politician told Reuters the number could be higher, estimating that up to 170 people may have been killed.

Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, a politician from the Kaiama area, told Reuters that the attackers rounded up villagers, tied their hands behind their backs, and shot them before burning their houses and shops.

“I am in the village along with military personnel, sorting dead bodies and searching nearby areas,” Ahmed said.

He added that many people fled into nearby bushland, some with gunshot wounds, and that several residents, including the village’s traditional ruler, are still missing.

According to villagers, the attackers were jihadists who had previously preached in the area.

They demanded that residents abandon loyalty to the Nigerian state and follow Sharia law. When the villagers refused, the gunmen opened fire during a sermon.

The police have confirmed the attack but have not released official casualty numbers.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the killings, describing them as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells” reacting to recent counter-terrorism operations in the state.

Kwara shares a border with Niger State, a region increasingly affected by armed gangs.

The Nigerian military has recently conducted operations against what it described as terrorist groups in the area.

Nigerians have reacted with shock and outrage to the Kwara attack with social media users condemning the violence and calling for stronger government action against terrorism.

Citizens expressed grief for the victims and frustration over the insecurity, with some urging the authorities to do more to protect vulnerable communities from repeated attacks.

See some reactions below:

https://x.com/bukolasaraki/status/2019110247374172516?s=20

KanyiDaily recalls that bandits recently attacked the busy Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran highway in Kwara and abducted at least four travelers.