MPAC Calls For Urgent Action After Massacre In Kwara Community
MPAC Decries Killing of Over 170 Residents in Kwara
THE Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has strongly condemned the killing of at least 170 residents of Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, following a violent attack by suspected terrorists.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the organisation described the incident as one of the deadliest attacks recorded in Kwara State in recent years, warning that it signals a disturbing spread of violent extremism into parts of North-Central Nigeria that were previously considered relatively peaceful.
Details of the Attack
The attack reportedly occurred on Tuesday 3 February when armed assailants stormed the agrarian community of Woro. According to accounts cited by MPAC, the attackers killed men, women and children indiscriminately, set several houses on fire, and abducted a number of residents.
The group said preliminary information available to it suggested that the attackers were members of the Boko Haram insurgent group, which has waged a violent campaign across various regions of Nigeria for more than a decade.
MPAC noted that the sheer scale of the violence, combined with the level of destruction recorded, had left the community devastated and traumatised.
Ignored Warning and Failed Prevention
According to MPAC, the attack followed an earlier warning that was not adequately acted upon. The organisation said the assailants had reportedly sent a letter to the district head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Umar, indicating their intention to visit the community under the pretext of religious preaching.
Suspicious of the move and concerned about security implications, the district head reportedly alerted security agencies about the threat. However, MPAC said the attackers later returned to the village and carried out what it described as a deadly reprisal attack.
Describing the incident as a “heinous act of terror,” the organisation said it exposed gaps in early warning response mechanisms and raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of preventive security measures in rural communities.
Call for Emergency Relief and Support
MPAC expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed and sympathised with residents who lost loved ones, homes and sources of livelihood in the attack. The organisation also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
It called on the Kwara State Government to urgently provide emergency relief materials, medical assistance and rehabilitation support for displaced residents, many of whom are now without shelter or access to basic necessities.
Need for Security Reassessment
The organisation urged the Kwara State Government to reassess its security architecture, particularly in rural and border communities that are increasingly exposed to attacks by armed groups.
While acknowledging ongoing military and security operations in parts of the state, MPAC said these efforts must be sustained and significantly intensified to prevent further loss of lives and property.
The group also appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen security across the wider Borgu axis, which covers parts of Kwara, Niger and Kebbi states. According to MPAC, the porous nature of the region makes it highly vulnerable to infiltration by armed groups operating across state and national borders.
Community Engagement and National Impact
MPAC stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers and local communities. It noted that early intelligence gathering, community engagement and timely response to threats are critical to preventing similar attacks.
The organisation warned that continued assaults on rural communities could lead to mass displacement, disrupt farming activities and worsen food insecurity across the country.
“Insecurity of this nature not only claims innocent lives but also deepens poverty, instability and hunger,” MPAC said.
The group said it stood in solidarity with the people of Woro and the wider Muslim community in Kwara State, calling for justice for the victims and lasting peace in the region.
