Unknown Armed men have struck a village in Nigeria’s Kwara State, killing over 160 people and torching homes and shops. The attack on Woro village, bordering Niger State, is one of the deadliest this year, with the Red Cross reporting 162 fatalities and a state lawmaker putting the toll at 170. The government blames “terrorist cells” for the violence, which has prompted a search-and-rescue operation by police and military.

The attackers, suspected to be jihadists, targeted the village, burning shops and the king’s palace, with the traditional king’s whereabouts unknown. The incident highlights the escalating banditry and armed attacks in northwest and north-central Nigeria, prompting the military to intensify operations against armed groups.

The Kwara State government has condemned the attack, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq describing it as a “cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells”. The military has been conducting operations against armed groups in the region, claiming to have killed large numbers of fighters. The attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, with armed gangs and jihadist groups active in various parts of the country.