UN Chief Condemns Deadly Kwara Attack, Reaffirms Support for Nigeria

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the deadly attack on communities in Kwara State, describing the incident as a brutal act of terrorism and expressing solidarity with Nigeria.

The assault occurred on Tuesday in Woro, a community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where armed attackers stormed the area, killing more than 170 residents. Several others sustained injuries, while some community members are still unaccounted for.

In a statement issued on Thursday through his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families, offering condolences to the Nigerian people and government. He also wished those injured a swift recovery.

The UN Secretary-General reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that those responsible for the attack must be held accountable.

Meanwhile, residents of affected communities have accused the Kwara State Government of failing to act on repeated security warnings prior to the attack. Locals said they had raised alarms over the presence and movement of armed individuals in surrounding forests months before the incident but received no effective response.

According to community members, youths reported the suspicious activities to traditional leaders, local government officials, and state authorities, urging them to deploy security operatives to prevent an attack. They claim these warnings were ignored, leaving the communities vulnerable.

The attack has renewed concerns over intelligence response, community safety, and the protection of rural areas facing threats from armed groups across parts of the country.