United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that occurred on February 3, 2026, in Woro village, Kwara State, Nigeria, describing it as an act of terror that claimed numerous lives.

In a statement posted on X on February5, 2026, Guterres extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Nigeria, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 3 February, in Kwara State, Nigeria. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & to the people & Government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Guterres stated.

Scores dead in Woro

The assault on Woro, a remote village in Kaiama local government area near the border with Niger State, is reported to be the deadliest incident in the district this year.

Gunmen stormed the community around 6:00 pm local time on Tuesday, killing residents, burning homes, shops, and the palace of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Salihu Umar, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Kwara State Red Cross secretary Babaomo Ayodeji told AFP on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 162, with search operations ongoing for more bodies.

A state lawmaker, Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, separately told Reuters that at least 170 people had been killed. Earlier estimates from Ahmed indicated 35 to 40 bodies had been recovered, with many residents fleeing into surrounding bushland, some sustaining gunshot wounds.

Kwara State police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyem confirmed the attack and said police and military personnel had been deployed for search-and-rescue operations but declined to provide casualty figures. The state government attributed the violence to “terrorist cells.”

Government and security response

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the incident as “a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state.”

He extended condolences to affected families and assured residents that security forces were working to restore calm.

The attack comes amid heightened military operations against armed groups in Kwara and neighbouring states. On 30 January, the Nigerian army announced it had “neutralised” 150 terrorists, destroyed hideouts, and disrupted their logistics during coordinated offensives.

Troops reportedly cleared previously inaccessible camps in remote areas.

Banditry and armed raids on rural communities have increased across northwest and north-central Nigeria in recent years, leading to widespread displacement, kidnappings, and livestock theft.

In response to escalating insecurity, Kwara authorities imposed curfews in affected areas and temporarily closed schools, ordering them reopened earlier this week.

The Woro massacre has drawn international attention to Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, with the UN chief’s condemnation underscoring global concern over the violence that continues to affect communities across the region.