The United Nations Secretary-General, AntĂłnio Guterres, has condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Kwara State that claimed the lives of more than 170 residents, describing the incident as a tragic blow to the country.
The attack took place on Tuesday in Woro community, located in Kaiama Local Government Area, when armed assailants stormed the area. Scores of residents were killed during the invasion, many others sustained injuries, and several people are still unaccounted for.
In the wake of the killings, residents accused the Kwara State Government, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of failing to act on repeated security warnings issued months before the attack. According to community members, distress calls and reports of suspicious activities were allegedly ignored.
Reacting to the incident, Guterres, through a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families.
“The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Nigeria. He also wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” the statement said.
The UN chief reaffirmed the United Nations’ support for Nigeria in its ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism, while emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
“He reiterates the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Nigeria in their efforts to combat terrorism and stresses the need to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, several residents who spoke with Chronicles Reporters said the attack could have been prevented if earlier warnings had been taken seriously. According to them, youths in Kaiama had repeatedly alerted traditional rulers, local government officials, and state authorities about the presence and movement of armed strangers in nearby forests.
“Before the attack, our youths went to the traditional ruler several times to report that strange armed men were camping in the forest close to our villages,” one resident said. “They also informed the local government and the state government. Everyone knew, but no protection came.”
Another resident confirmed that reports were escalated to the appropriate authorities, but no decisive action followed.
“We informed both the state and local governments that terrorists were around us and begged them to deploy security personnel to clear the forests,” the resident said. “Nothing was done, and now our people have been killed.”
The incident has renewed concerns over security lapses and the response of authorities to early warnings in vulnerable communities across the country.