According to a report by the Punch on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the brutal attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State has left a trail of profound personal tragedy, with survivors recounting harrowing moments of loss and terror. As the death toll from the Islamic militant assault is feared to exceed 100, individual stories of grief are emerging, painting a visceral picture of the violence that shattered the communities.
One such account comes from the head of Woro village, Alhaji Umar Tanko, who described the sudden and devastating intrusion into his family’s life. He relayed his experience to local officials, stating, “I was in my shop when they arrived. They shot my children and took my second wife away.” This testimony encapsulates the attack’s ruthless efficiency and personal devastation, as militants simultaneously inflicted fatal violence and abducted survivors, leaving families broken and communities in mourning.
The massacre, attributed to the ISSP-linked group Lakurawa, is believed to have been triggered by the communities’ refusal to adopt the extremists’ doctrine. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed 75 deaths, though local estimates range much higher, with reports of mass burials. In response, President Bola Tinubu has authorized the deployment of an army battalion to the area, initiating “Operation Savannah Shield.”
The incident has ignited fierce political debate and calls for a more robust federal response. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki termed it a “national disaster,” while opposition parties in Kwara criticized the state government’s reaction as insufficient. These personal narratives of loss, like that of Alhaji Tanko, underscore the human cost of the escalating insecurity in north-central Nigeria, demanding more than sympathy but decisive action to protect vulnerable populations.
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