Photo: Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
The United States has condemned the deadly attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as conflicting casualty figures from the incident continue to fuel national and international outrage.
While the Nigerian Police Force confirmed that 75 people were killed during the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local accounts and international observers have placed the death toll far higher.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the United States Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many residents still unaccounted for.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for,” the statement said. “We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.”
The U.S. Mission also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to deploy security forces to the affected areas and to direct federal and state authorities to provide humanitarian assistance and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The U.S. reaction adds to growing international condemnation of the attack, which has also drawn strong responses from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
Following the violence, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the establishment of a new military command to coordinate security operations in the area. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, similarly directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence units to Kaiama and neighbouring communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, noting that security personnel were already on the ground.
