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:

This is really sad.

More than 170 people were murdered by jihadi terrorists yesterday in Woro, Kwara State.

The jihadist militia had invaded the community and demanded that “all the villagers must embrace Sharia law”, according to survivors who told Reuters.

When they refused… pic.twitter.com/FRhQa6IAyZ

— OurFaveOnlineDoc 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) February 4, 2026

International media houses are reporting the massacre of more than 162 Nigerians in Kwara, but no word from the Nigerian government.

162 HUMAN BEINGS, not cows! pic.twitter.com/zVjjtsq3Xq

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) February 4, 2026

The terrorists in kwara demanded sharia law and thats why they were killed when they rejected it. When i keep saying this..let sharia law be a personal thing. Any aspect of religion that can allow radicalism should be a personal not state issue. Remove sharia law from northern… pic.twitter.com/lRJhNbu9xz

— Nolanichyme (@nolanichyme) February 4, 2026

Kogi is gone.
Kwara is gone.
Ogun is surrounded.

Oyo are told to pay taxes to terrorists.
They want Sharia Law legitimized in the SW.
They are less than 5 hours from Lagos state.

But Bola will do nothing about it. He wants the Miyetti Allah’s continuous support. Protecting… pic.twitter.com/cVH7eSQbKG

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) February 5, 2026

Gunmen have killed dozens of people and burned homes and shops in Woro, a remote village in Kwara State, Nigeria. Kwara is bleeding! 💔 pic.twitter.com/VRuwJktXEq

— Yorùbáness (@Yorubaness) February 4, 2026

Last month, Islamists kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls from a Catholic school in Nigeria.

Two weeks ago, they abducted 173 Christians from a church service.

This morning, they executed 170 Christians for refusing Sharia law.

Where is the outrage?

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) February 4, 2026

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

162 people gone in one day in Kwara and Nigerians are still sitting at home, smiling at those supporting this government publicly. No consequences for our deaths. https://t.co/QhyJR3YUP3

— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) February 4, 2026

162 people mostly Men were just killed In Kwara state today by Islamic Terrorists. The pictures are brutal. This blood sucking demons are now fully operating in the SW. wtf 😳🥶😢💔

— SizZzle. 😎🇳🇬 (@n6oflife6) February 4, 2026

Over 176 Nigerians slaughtered in cold blood in Kwara state. The president and commander in chief of the armed forces couldn't be less concerned.

As I've said before, we're still in first term and this isn't Tinubu's final form.

By the time the hardship and insecurity hit peak…

— M. O. (@Obeyamark) February 4, 2026

APC will stand by and watch state after state fall into the hands of terrorists like it’s normal. Over 150 people slaughtered in Kwara like animals, and not a single word from Tinubu. Not grief. Not leadership. Just silence.

What’s worse is that some people in the Southwest…

— iDAN 🦸🏽 (@dangbanamanager) February 4, 2026

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