No fewer than dozens of residents were killed on Tuesday night when suspected terrorists stormed Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving the Emir of the town, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, missing and his palace in ruins.
Among those killed were two wives of the monarch, several of his children, the Chief Imam of Woro, a school principal, a headmistress and pupils who had just returned home from school, residents and security sources said on Wednesday.
Witnesses said the attackers, believed to be linked to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction with ties to Sahel-based terror networks, invaded the agrarian community in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and slaughtering men, women and children.
“They were killing anyone they met — farmers, traders and travellers passing through Woro,” a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PLATFORM TIMES.
“Some victims had their throats slit. Houses were set on fire and bodies littered the streets.”
Sources said the Emir’s official vehicle was seized by the attackers and allegedly used to ferry abducted victims to unknown locations, fuelling fears that the monarch may have been kidnapped or killed. His palace was also torched during the assault.
A disturbing video obtained by our correspondent showed charred buildings, lifeless bodies on the ground and anguished voices confirming that the palace had been burnt and that members of the royal household were among those killed.
Residents disclosed that the violence did not end on Tuesday night, as the attackers reportedly returned on Wednesday morning to kill survivors who had gone back to check on their homes and relatives.
Further findings linked the massacre to earlier tensions between the community and the terror group.
Sources said the militants had previously tried to force residents to attend extremist sermons, a move resisted by the Emir, who was said to have alerted security agencies to their activities.
Angered by the monarch’s refusal to cooperate and his alleged collaboration with the military, the group reportedly planned a large-scale retaliatory attack.
Security sources said troops responded to distress calls but were overwhelmed by the sheer number of attackers, estimated at over 200 heavily armed fighters, forcing a tactical withdrawal.
As of Wednesday evening, the Kwara State Government and security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the attack, while residents fled neighbouring communities amid fears of further assaults.
Community leaders and civil society groups have called on the Federal Government to urgently reinforce security in Kaiama and surrounding areas to prevent further bloodshed and rescue possible abductees.
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