A handwritten letter allegedly sent by Boko Haram, also known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, to the Sarkin Woro, traditional ruler of Woro community, has surfaced days before the massacre that claimed over 170 lives.
The letter, dated January 8, 2026 (19 Rajab 1447 in the Islamic calendar), was written in Hausa and disguised the group’s deadly intentions as a request for a peaceful religious visit.
According to SaharaReporters, the letter read in part: “After greetings and good wishes, this message is from Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad to the Sarkin Waro. We are requesting a meeting with you personally, or alternatively with your representative. We wish to discuss matters with you and remind you, particularly concerning preaching and guidance among your people. This is not a threat or a declaration of war against you or your people.”
Despite this, the community was attacked days later in a night-long assault, leaving dozens of homes burned and scores of residents dead.
Residents of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, have expressed outrage, claiming the state government ignored repeated warnings and intelligence about suspicious armed activity in nearby forests as far back as mid-2025.
One resident told SaharaReporters, “Before these attacks happened, our youths went to the traditional ruler many times to report that strange people were gathering inside the forest close to our villages. They informed the local government council and the state government. Everybody knew, but nobody came to protect us.”
Another source added, “We reported to the state government and local authorities that terrorists were nearby. We begged them to deploy security operatives, but nothing was done. The governor even promised soldiers would be sent, but none arrived. We were abandoned.”
According to locals, suspicious movements in the forests had been increasing since mid-2025, signalling that an attack was imminent. The attackers later struck multiple villages in a coordinated operation, killing men, women, and children, burning homes, and forcing survivors to flee.
One survivor recounted the night of terror: “They came in large numbers with guns. They were shouting and shooting. People were running in all directions. Our houses were burned. Many families were wiped out. We are still counting the dead.”
Residents insist the massacre could have been prevented if authorities had acted on the repeated warnings.
