Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following a deadly attack on Woro and surrounding communities, which has claimed at least 162 lives, with the toll expected to rise as search teams continue recovering bodies.
The Presidency issued the statement on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, through the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announcing the launch of Operation Savannah Shield, a military initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable communities and bringing the attackers to justice.
The assault began on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, around 5:00 p.m. Armed assailants stormed Woro, firing on residents, burning homes and shops, and abducting scores of women and children. Many villagers fled into nearby forests and bushland, where they remain in hiding.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHowever, residents and rescue teams reported higher figures, with some estimates placing the number of fatalities at around 170, reflecting the ongoing recovery of bodies.
Community sources said the attackers had sent a letter to the district head of Woro, Salihu Umar, weeks before the attack, notifying him of their intention to visit for preaching. The district head reportedly forwarded the letter to state authorities, prompting a temporary deployment of soldiers, who later withdrew when no attack occurred at the time.
Residents said the extremists later visited Baburasa, a neighbouring village, to preach and list villages they planned to target. Community leaders believe the Woro attack may have been retaliatory. The district head remains missing.
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Woro is located near Kainji National Park, a forest reserve spanning over 5,300 square kilometres. Security sources say the area has increasingly become a hideout for armed groups, including Boko Haram and Ansaru. While Ansaru has operated in the area since 2020, Boko Haram reportedly moved into this forest axis in July 2025.
The attack underscores the spread of extremist violence into North-Central Nigeria, a region previously considered largely outside Nigeria’s main insurgency zones.
President Tinubu condemned the killings, describing the attackers as “heartless” for targeting civilians and instructing federal and state agencies to provide humanitarian assistance and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, described the killings as a “national failure” and urged immediate action. “I am deeply saddened by the recent attacks in Kwara State, where gunmen reportedly killed about 150 people. Every loss of innocent life is tragic, and these killings represent a major failure for us as a nation,” Obi said.
“These recurring acts of violence across our country now worse than what occurs in some countries at war underscore the urgent need for us to declare war on insecurity of lives and property,” he added, calling on authorities to restore peace and reassure Nigerians that their lives are protected.
While the Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the attack, it has not issued its own casualty figure. Military and forest guards have been deployed to the area to secure communities, recover bodies, and pursue the attackers.
Hundreds of residents remain displaced, sheltering in forests and temporary camps. The Woro attack is part of a broader pattern of extremist activity in central Nigeria, signaling the need for heightened security measures and coordinated intelligence to prevent future massacres.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
