2026 Kwara State attacks

At a glance

Dates: From 2026-02-03.

Place: Kwara State, Nigeria.

Type: mass shooting, mass murder, hate crime, and terrorist attack.

Deaths reported: 200.

What came before

Part of: Boko Haram insurgency.

Who was involved

Perpetrators Omar Bio said the attacks were conducted by the Islamic State -affiliated group Lakurawa , although no group took responsibility. [ 1 ] The Critical Threats Project said it was unlikely Lakurawa was the perpetrator, since the group normally operates further north near the border of Niger. [ 2 ] James Barnett of the Hudson Institute said Boko Haram was responsible for other massacres in the area, and it was the most likely perpetrator. [ 3 ]

What happened

Attacks Prelude The attackers were reportedly jihadists based in forests around the Borgu region who previously preached in Woro and had ordered residents to embrace their version of Sharia . They had earlier preached in border villages in Niger State , encouraging residents to embrace their version of Sharia and reject the Nigerian constitution and foundations by disobedience to the government and bowing to the soon to be attackers demends [ 1 ]

Casualties Initial reports said between 35 and 40 people were killed in the attack. [ 1 ] The death toll later rose to 162, according to Member of Parliament Mohammed Omar Bio and the Red Cross, [ 2 ] [ 3 ] with the latter adding that searches for additional bodies were ongoing. The attack was indiscriminate. Also killed were the chief Imam of Woro, a school principal, a headmistress, and schoolchildren. [ 4 ] The death toll was later reported to have risen to over 200,

Aftermath Following the attacks, police officers and soldiers were mobilised to carry out search-and-rescue operations. [ 1 ] The Red Cross was not able to reach the villages, located in a remote region eight hours from the Kwara State capital. [ 2 ] Nigerian president Bola Tinubu announced the launch of Operation Savanna Shield, which included the deployment of a battalion to Kwara State and the appointment of a field commander to oversee the operation. [ 3 ] [ 4 ]

On 3 February 2026, hundreds of extremist militants attacked the villages of Woro and Nuku in Kwara State, Nigeria, killing at least 162 residents. It was one of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria in months. Nigerian sources labelled the event the Kwara massacre.