At least 35 people have been killed following an attack by gunmen in Kwara State, with authorities warning that the death toll could increase as more victims may still be missing.
A local lawmaker representing the Kaiama region, Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, said on Wednesday that between 35 and 40 bodies had been counted.
“This morning I was told that 35 to 40 dead bodies were counted,” Ahmed said, adding that many others fled into nearby bushes despite sustaining gunshot wounds.
He noted that more bodies could be discovered as search efforts continue.
The attack reportedly occurred in Woro village around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with the assailants allegedly setting fire to shops and the traditional ruler’s palace. Ahmed said the whereabouts of the king remain unknown.
The Kwara State Government blamed the incident on what it described as “terrorist cells.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the assault, calling it a “cowardly expression of frustration” by armed groups, which he said were reacting to ongoing counterterrorism operations in parts of the state.
The attack came just hours after the government announced the reopening of all schools in Kwara State. Schools had been shut since November 20, 2025, due to heightened security concerns linked to increased operations against armed groups.
Officials said schools were cleared to reopen from Monday, February 2, 2026, following “continuous security operations to neutralise threats to the public, including schools.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has continued to intensify efforts to combat armed groups, commonly referred to as bandits, across several parts of the country.
