The United States has strongly condemned the deadly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the violence as “horrific” amid conflicting reports over the number of casualties.
While the Nigerian Police Force has put the death toll at 75, local accounts and international observers suggest the number of victims is significantly higher. The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported that at least 162 people may have been killed, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria said it was deeply troubled by the scale of the violence and the uncertainty surrounding the number of casualties.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for,” the statement said. “We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.”
The US also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s response to the attack, including his directive for the deployment of additional security forces to the affected areas.
“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.
The US reaction follows similar condemnations from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
In response to the attacks, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the establishment of a new military command to oversee security operations in the area. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence units to Kaiama and neighbouring communities to restore calm.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said troops operating under Operation Savannah Shield had been deployed to deter further violence, adding that security personnel were already on the ground.
Authorities say investigations into the attacks are ongoing, as efforts continue to stabilise the affected communities and account for missing residents.
