Survivors of the deadly terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have shared harrowing accounts of how the gunmen operated for hours, using deceptive tactics including a fake call to prayer to lure victims out of hiding before resuming indiscriminate killings.
The assault, which began around 5:00 pm on Tuesday and lasted until about 2:00 am, claimed over 160 lives (with some estimates exceeding 200), left dozens injured, and forced mass displacement. Homes, shops, and the Emir’s palace were set ablaze, while several residents including women and children were abducted.
ZulQharnain Shero Musa, 31, Special Assistant on Media to Kaiama LGA Chairman
“The assailants, believed to be operating from dense forests around Kaiama, stormed Woro in large numbers hundreds of them mostly on motorcycles with two riders each. They were heavily armed with AK-47s, pump-action guns, and explosives. There was no immediate security presence when they arrived.
They surrounded the village, moved house to house, dragged people out, and executed them. They stormed the Emir’s palace, brought out his wife and children, set the building ablaze around 6:00 pm, and began shooting sporadically across town. Motorists on the federal road were stopped and attacked. It was a coordinated, systematic assault.
Many fled into bushes and farmlands; some were shot while escaping. A white helicopter with markings hovered briefly but left without intervening. After it departed, killings intensified from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A suspected military aircraft later returned, forcing attackers to withdraw temporarily. But once it left, they regrouped, used the call to prayer as a ruse to lure people out, and resumed attacks until about 2:00 am.
Over 200 are feared dead. Between Wednesday and Thursday, about 170 bodies were buried; many others are still being searched for in bushes, rivers, and farmlands. Women were abducted and taken deep into the forest. About 95% of victims were Muslims; 5% Christians.
The situation is devastating villages deserted, people terrified, farmlands abandoned. These forests host illegal mining and have long been inaccessible. The group has built settlements with houses and boreholes. Economic activity has collapsed. Fresh gunshots were heard as late as 4:30 am Thursday.”
Abdulrasheed Taofiq, 30, Woro Resident
“The terrorists came with too many bikes and went straight to the Village Head’s house. They began gathering people, set houses and shops ablaze, and there was continuous gunfire everywhere. There was no escape route.
Since Wednesday till now (Friday), we have recorded 321 dead bodies in the community. Almost everyone has fled; people packed whatever they could and left. Fear is everywhere.”
Aliyu Jogodo (Omo Salka), 22, PoS Operator
“The attackers stormed Woro and went straight to the Emir’s palace. They shot indiscriminately, killed many of my friends including Malam Buhari, whose death I’ll never forget. They kidnapped my friend’s mother and killed Dr Muhammad Yusuf, brother of my boss and officer-in-charge of Woro Primary Health Care centre. The pain is unbearable.
When shooting started, I ran into the bush and stayed there till morning. The number killed could be more than 300. Almost everyone has fled. The government should urgently assist with security, rescue operations, and relief materials.”
Ruqqoyat Solihudeen, 25, Trader
“The assailants disguised themselves as soldiers—wearing full military gear. One was a woman carrying ammunition and wearing a hijab, making them look convincing. They passed our shops heading toward Woro from Kaiama direction. We didn’t suspect anything until gunshots started.
I pretended nothing was happening until we reached a safer spot, then ran. My seven-year-old stepsister (with chronic illness) and elder sister were abducted during a family event. We don’t know their condition; I fear my younger sister may not survive in their den.
Many houses and shops were burnt. A woman known as Iya Bag from Kishi lost everything her house was set ablaze, but her family escaped through the back window.”
The survivors’ accounts reveal a prolonged, coordinated assault involving deception, heavy firepower, and exploitation of the community’s trust in religious calls. The delayed arrival of security forces despite prior warnings has fueled anger and calls for urgent reforms in rural security deployment across north-central Nigeria.
