By Africa Correspondent
London, (The Muslim News): The United Nations, African Union and several countries, including Türkiye, Germany and Benin, have condemned a deadly terrorist attack in western Nigeria’s Kwara State that killed at least 170 people, offering condolences to the victims and pledging support to Abuja.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the attack, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and the Nigerian government, while wishing a swift recovery to those injured. He reiterated the UN’s solidarity with Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism, stressing the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry also extended its condolences, reaffirming Ankara’s solidarity with Nigeria and pledging continued support in combating terrorism.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the terrorist attack that took place in Nigeria’s Kwara state,” the ministry said on the US social media platform X, adding that Türkiye “will continue to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.”
Germany condemned the attack and pledged Berlin’s support for Nigeria’s security and stability. “Our thoughts are with the relatives of the victims & the survivors,” Germany’s Foreign Ministry said on X.
Benin expressed its “most sincere condolences” to the victims’ families, the Nigerian people and the government, reiterating its solidarity with Abuja in combating terrorism and violent extremism and underscoring the importance of peace and stability in the region.
[Photo: A view of the destruction after attacks carried out by armed groups in the Woro and Nuku areas of Kwara State, Nigeria on February 05, 2026. The death toll has risen to 170.
Photojournalist: Emmanuel Osodi/AA]
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the attack as a “heinous and barbaric act”, calling it a severe violation of human rights and an “unacceptable” assault on peace and security, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
Youssouf extended condolences to the victims’ families and expressed “full solidarity” with the Nigerian government and the authorities in Kwara State. The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability nationwide.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, when armed groups assaulted two villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. Many of the victims were reportedly shot at close range, while homes and shops were set ablaze, forcing residents to flee into nearby bushland.
Kwara State authorities confirmed on Wednesday that 75 victims were buried in a mass grave. However, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that at least 170 bodies had been recovered, with the death toll expected to rise.
“Information at my disposal indicated that the casualties have risen to 170. So, our people are still in the bush searching for more bodies.
Thirty-five women were abducted. Survivors are also taking refuge in the bush,” he said.
Kwara State, particularly communities bordering forest belts, has faced worsening insecurity in recent months, linked to banditry, kidnapping and the movement of armed groups fleeing military pressure in neighbouring northwest and north-central states.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday directed federal and state agencies to work closely to provide immediate support and relief to affected communities and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
In a message posted on his verified X account, @officialABAT, Tinubu said: “I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice.”
The President said he had earlier ordered the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area following the “horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro”, adding that the new military command would spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to protect communities and confront the attackers.
In a separate statement personally signed on Thursday, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to defeat terrorism, describing the attack as “particularly disturbing”. “Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq @RealAARahman, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA,” he said.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation.”
Tinubu said the victims were targeted after rejecting forced indoctrination. “It is particularly disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination. As I said, ‘It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.’ Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith,” he said.
The President added: “I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror.”
[An infographic titled “Gunmen attack two western Nigerian villages” created in Ankara, Turkiye on February 5, 2026. Photojournalist: Mehmet Yaren Bozğun/AA]
