By our reporter 6.2.2026
Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State are still mourning and burying their dead after Tuesday’s invasion by Mamuda Islamic jihadists group who killed over a hundred persons.
Lamenting their ordeal in the hands of the jihadists, Woro village head Umar Salihu, said the tragedy could have been averted if the military had responded on time.
He said the armed jihadists operated for 10 hours and left after satisfying their thirst for blood and destruction of property.
Salihu said when the attack started at about 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, repeated distress calls were made to security agencies, but help did not come on time.
“I called about 5p.m., but they did not come until about 3a.m. That was from 5p.m., to about 3a.m. That is about 10 hours,” Salihu said.
He said the terror gang had already left; he dismissed claims that the gunmen withdrew at the sound of approaching Nigeria Air Force jets.
“The military did not attack them. The gunmen had gone when the military came.”
“The plane did not engage them.They did not drop any munition on them.”
He stated that the community had always been under threat following an attack months ago. But the military withdrew leaving the community exposed.
“Initially, we had a military base there. We had about 15 soldiers there. About three to five months ago, they attacked the soldiers. Since then, they evacuated them. We have no security presence in that area.
“That gave them the opportunity to come anytime, enter anytime and do whatever they like.”
He said the terror group had threatened to attack the community, and the Department of State Security was duly alerted.
“When they brought the letter, they brought it directly to me. That night, I sent the letter to the Department of State Security, DSS in Kaiama.
“The following day, I took the letter myself to the Emirate Council. They photocopied it. In that process, I think they lost the appropriate contact.”
He suggested that the disclosure of the threat may have provoked the attackers.
“When the security agents went on patrol after the letter, the terrorists became angry.”
Salihu said at least 75 bodies had been buried, while more corpses were still being recovered from surrounding bushes. He added that nearly half of the community was destroyed in the attack.
“As of yesterday, we buried 75 people. But as I’m speaking with you, there are still corpses in the bush.
“They burnt almost half of the villages, including my house.”
