The Quiet evening in Woro and Nuku, two farming communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, was shattered on Tuesday when armed bandits stormed in, leaving behind a trail of grief, destruction, and fear. By Wednesday morning, the death toll had risen to 40, as soldiers and forest guards moved in to secure the devastated villages.

For residents, the attack was not just another statistic—it was a personal tragedy. “The casualties are over forty as we speak, and soldiers and forest guards have taken over the two communities. It’s such a very sad development at a time we thought we were finally having peace from the bandits’ attacks of the past,” said a local government source, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Witnesses recount that the bandits, believed to have crossed from neighboring Niger State, initially gathered villagers under the guise of preaching. Their message was radical: abandon Nigeria’s constitution and embrace the Qur’an as the sole authority. But when dissenting voices rose among the congregation, the atmosphere turned deadly.

“The angry bandits opened fire indiscriminately on the people. No fewer than forty residents of the two communities died. Few managed to escape. They should be preparing mass burial for them as we speak,” another source told journalists, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

The violence did not stop at lives lost. Families watched helplessly as houses were set ablaze, their modest belongings consumed by fire. Survivors now face the grim reality of rebuilding from ashes while mourning loved ones.

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One grieving father, clutching the hand of his young son, described the horror: “We were listening to them, but when some elders said we cannot abandon our constitution, they became angry. Suddenly, gunshots everywhere. My wife was hit. She died instantly. I don’t know how to explain this to my children.”

The attack has drawn swift condemnation from the Kwara State Government. In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, conveyed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s sorrow and outrage.

“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded,” the statement read. “Governor AbdulRazaq expresses heartfelt condolences to Woro and Nuku communities on the sad incident, especially the families affected in the Tuesday attack.”

Security forces have since taken control of the area, with soldiers and forest guards patrolling the communities to prevent further incursions. Yet, for many residents, the presence of armed men is a reminder of the fragility of peace in a region long plagued by banditry.

As dusk fell on Wednesday, the air in Kaiama was thick with grief. Families prepared for mass burials, neighbors comforted one another, and prayers rose for the souls of the departed. The tragedy has left scars that will not heal quickly.

“This is not just about numbers,” said a community elder. “These were fathers, mothers, children. Our people. We pray for strength, and we pray that government will not forget us after the soldiers leave.”