UN Secretary-General António Guterres has unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack that struck Woro village in Kwara State, Nigeria, on February 3, 2026. He characterized this heinous act as an act of terror that resulted in the tragic loss of numerous lives.
In a statement shared on X on February 5, 2026, Guterres expressed his profound condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Nigeria, while wishing a swift recovery for those injured.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of February 3 in Kwara State, Nigeria. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Guterres affirmed.
The assault on Woro, a remote village in the Kaiama local government area near the Niger State border, stands as the deadliest incident in the district this year.
Gunmen invaded the community around 6:00 PM local time on Tuesday, indiscriminately killing residents and setting ablaze homes, shops, and the palace of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Salihu Umar, whose fate remains uncertain.
Kwara State Red Cross secretary Babaomo Ayodeji informed AFP on Wednesday that the death toll has tragically climbed to 162, with search operations continuing for additional victims.
State lawmaker Sa’idu Baba Ahmed separately reported to Reuters that the death toll has reached at least 170. Earlier estimates from Ahmed indicated that 35 to 40 bodies had been recovered, while many residents fled into the surrounding bushland, with some suffering from gunshot wounds.
Kwara State police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyem confirmed the attack and reported the deployment of police and military personnel for search-and-rescue efforts, although she refrained from providing specific casualty figures. The state government has attributed the violence to “terrorist cells.”
In response to the tragedy, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the incident as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells in light of the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state.” He extended his condolences to the affected families and assured residents that security forces are actively working to restore peace.
This attack occurs against the backdrop of intensified military operations targeting armed groups in Kwara and neighboring states. On January 30, the Nigerian army announced the “neutralization” of 150 terrorists, the destruction of hideouts, and the disruption of logistics during coordinated offensives.
Troops have reportedly accessed previously unreachable camps in remote areas.
In recent years, banditry and armed raids on rural communities have surged across northwest and north-central Nigeria, leading to widespread displacement, kidnappings, and livestock theft.
In response to this escalating insecurity, Kwara authorities have imposed curfews in affected areas and temporarily closed schools, although they ordered the reopening of schools earlier this week.
The Woro massacre has garnered international attention, highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. Guterres’s condemnation reflects the global concern regarding the violence that continues to impact communities throughout the region.
