* Gen Christopher Musa
Defence Minister
The Pathfinder
Saturday February 7, 2026
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The head of Woro village in Kwara State, Umar Salihu, has said that terrorists attacked his community for nearly 10 hours before security forces arrived, leaving scores dead and the village was razed.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, yesterday, Salihu said distress calls to authorities were made shortly after the attack began about 5p.m., but soldiers only arrived about 3a.m., the following morning.
He also claimed that sensitive intelligence may have been compromised, as he had reported a threat letter to security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, said troops were promptly despatched to dominate the general areas with robust patrols and surveillance among other security measures for about two weeks, as it expressed shock over the tragic loss of innocent lives in what it called cowardly terrorist attacks on Woro and neighbouring communities in Kaiama, Kwara State.
This came as the the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused the Federal Government of ignoring security warnings ahead of the reported killing in Woro community, describing the incident as a grim reflection of worsening insecurity in the country.
Salihu in the interview, said: “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 disclosed that by the time the military arrived, the attackers had already fled, and no engagement took place.
“The military did not attack them. The bandits had gone when the military came,” he stated.
He also confirmed that there was no air interdiction during the attack.
“The plane did not engage them. They did not interdict. They did not drop any munition on them,” Salihu said.
According to the village head, the community had been left vulnerable after soldiers previously stationed there were withdrawn following an earlier attack.
“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.”
Salihu confirmed that the attackers belonged to the Mamuda terrorist group, adding that the violence followed the community’s rejection of their ideology.
“Exactly. Our people are not ready to take that ideology. I think that is what made them angry to come and attack the communities,” he said.
He clarified that the victims were largely Muslims, countering claims of religious conflict.
“The people they killed are mostly Muslims. About 95 per cent are Muslims and five percent are Christians. They are not all Muslim, but the Muslims are the majority.”
Sensitive intelligence may have been compromised
The village head disclosed that he had reported a threat letter to security agencies.
“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 added.
Salihu suggested that the disclosure may have alerted the terrorists.
“When the security agents went on patrol after the letter, the terrorists became angry.”
Salihu revealed that no fewer than 75 people had been buried, as bodies were still being recovered.
“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,” Salihu disclosed.
The village head confirmed that Governor AbdulRazaq visited the affected communities and ordered immediate security deployment.
“The governor came to Kaiama. He went there himself to see what happened. He saw the destruction.
“Immediately, they took action. They directed the barracks to provide security. About 15 soldiers were deployed, and there are now about 80 security agents there,” he added.
Troops promptly deployed on receipt of information of attack —DHQ
Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, in a statement, yesterday, said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, commends the indomitable Nigerian spirit exhibited by various Nigerian communities that have been targeted by terrorists.
“This remarkable spirit was again exhibited by the resilient people of Woro and neighbouring communities who stood firm against violent coercion and refused to abandon their way of life and constitutional loyalty despite threats.
“The AFN mourns with the families of those who have lost loved ones in these and other similar brutal attacks on defenceless citizens defending community values and freedom across Nigeria.
“It will be recalled that terrorists entered Woro village of Kaiama with a request to conduct a preaching and indoctrination session in the village which was outrightly rejected by the villagers.
“The military was informed and promptly troops were despatched to dominate the general areas with robust patrols and surveillance among other security measures for about two weeks.
“The cowardly terrorists, however, returned weeks after to kill innocent citizens in protest and in a bid to terrorise inhabitants and others.
“The DHQ urges citizens to remain steadfast in their faith in the Nigerian Constitution, their individual beliefs and to uphold the shared values that bind our nation together.
“The DHQ calls on all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or regional identity to resist any form of ideological indoctrination by violent extremist groups.”
Deployment prevented second round of killings — Source
Meanwhile, a military source privy to operational orders to deploy immediately said: “Thank God troops arrived otherwise there would have been a second round of killings.
“Getting to the location by day time takes over four hours because of the difficult terrain. Now at night, it will definitely be slower coupled with IEDs planted by the terrorist which we had to clear to enable troops passage.”
IGP orders deployment of tactical, intelligence assets to Kaiama
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed tactical and intelligence assets to Kaiama.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin , yesterday, said: “In response, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence assets to Kaiama and surrounding communities.
“This action is aimed at restoring calm, strengthening security presence, and preventing further acts of violence.
“The Force has launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators and all individuals connected to this heinous crime.
“Investigations are already underway, and all available resources have been mobilised to ensure that those responsible are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice.
“The perpetrators will not escape the long arm of the law.”
PDP accuses FG of ignoring security warnings
The PDP faction headed by Tanimu Turaki in a statement by Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary, said: “The sad and shocking news of the killing of about 170 people (as reported by Al Jazeera) by terrorists in Woro community of Kwara State is another painful reminder of the new reality of heightened insecurity that Nigerians have been faced with under the Tinubu APC Presidency. We deeply commiserate with the families of those who have lost their loved ones to this dastardly act.
“The most painful part of this sad story is the fact that several community leaders have stated that the notice of this impending attack was available for months, without any meaningful proactive action from the government, which makes the post-carnage military deployment weak, reactive, and irresponsible. The presidential deployment of the military cannot bring back the killed people or erase the concomitant trauma imposed upon the community.
“This government’s current ad hoc and reactionary tactics have proven woefully inadequate, with attendant loss of lives. The Tinubu administration must be reminded that being reactionary has never been an effective strategy and cannot be relied on to solve complex problems.
“Undeniably, the Presidency is paying more attention to politics than to the execution of the primary mandate of government; which is the protection of lives and property. The blood of innocent Nigerians continues to cry out for justice and competent leadership. The time for excuses is over; the time for action is now,” the party stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan says latest incident one too many
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central has condemned the killings in Kwara State, describing them as unacceptable and deeply troubling.
In a statement, yesterday, she said: “The persistent killings of innocent Nigerians are unacceptable and deeply troubling.
“My heart goes out to the families who have been plunged into grief by these senseless acts. Protecting lives and ensuring justice must be non-negotiable. The safety of our citizens should always be the highest priority of government.
She called on federal and state authorities to move beyond rhetoric and implement coordinated, effective measures to curb the rising tide of insecurity across the country.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be identified and brought to justice without delay. Impunity only emboldens criminal elements and deepens the suffering of our people.
“These killings underscore the urgent need for a more effective and people-centered security architecture,. Our communities deserve to live without fear, and government at all levels must rise to this responsibility.”
Vanguard
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