Nigeria’s security crisis drew fresh international attention on Thursday after deadly attacks in Kwara State killed at least 75 people, prompting condemnation from the United Nations and a pledge of support from Türkiye. President Bola Tinubu held an emergency meeting with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as pressure mounted for stronger federal action.
The massacre occurred in Kaiama Local Government Area, where armed attackers struck the Woro and Nuku communities on Tuesday night. Government figures confirmed 75 deaths, though local sources fear the toll may be higher. The incident has renewed concerns over persistent violence in rural areas and the limits of current security measures.
In response, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence teams to the affected communities. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the force “strongly condemns the violent attack” and confirmed the casualty figure. Security agencies have begun mop-up operations and intelligence gathering in the area.
Lawmakers from northern Nigeria also stepped up calls for a broad security overhaul. The Northern Senators Forum urged the Federal Government to recruit more personnel, expand armouries, and strengthen intelligence capacity. The appeal followed recent attacks in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states, which senators said had left more than 130 people dead.
In a condolence message issued in Abuja, the forum’s chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, called for urgent action while acknowledging ongoing efforts by security agencies. “We acknowledge the efforts of security agencies and urge citizens to cooperate with them by reporting suspicious activities,” he said. “However, we call on the Federal Government to urgently increase the recruitment of security personnel and enhance their capacity to combat these growing threats.”
Yar’Adua added that the killings were “a stark reminder of the insecurity plaguing our nation” and expressed sympathy with affected communities. He said the forum would support measures that address the root causes of violence and protect national stability.
The Kwara attack has intensified debate within the National Assembly over insecurity, with lawmakers warning that continued violence in rural communities poses a serious risk to the country if left unchecked.
