Escalating Violence in Nigeria: Attacks Claim Hundreds of Lives

Fri Feb 06 2026 00:54:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A surge of violent attacks in Nigeria has led to the deaths of over 162 individuals, with several more missing, as security forces struggle to maintain control amid jihadist insurgency and criminal gang activity.

In a recent wave of violence, dozens were killed in attacks on villages in Kwara State, Nigeria. The assaults, attributed to jihadist groups, saw homes and shops set ablaze. The Nigerian government is coordinating with U.S. military for intelligence and training support. A recent statement from Amnesty International revealed a troubling death toll from these incidents, underlining the urgent need for enhanced security measures across the region.

Dozens of people have been killed in a ferocious shooting attack on two villages in Nigeria's western state of Kwara, according to authorities and rights groups.

The attackers also set fire to shops and homes, along with the residence of the traditional leader, forcing the residents of Nuku and Woro to flee, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed reported to BBC Hausa.

Officials have attributed the blame to jihadist groups and have since deployed an army battalion to Kwara's Kaiama constituency. This brutal attack marks one of several across Nigeria in recent days, coinciding with the confirmation by Nigeria's defense minister that a small team of U.S. troops is present in the country for intelligence and training assistance.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu identified the Islamist militant group Boko Haram as responsible for the violence, while lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio suggested that the armed group Lakurawa, affiliated with the Islamic State, was implicated. In a tragic statement, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the assault as a "massacre" of local Muslims, who died for refusing to surrender to extremist demands.

Reports indicate an alarming death toll; local MP Ahmed initially confirmed at least 35 deaths, but human rights organizations later reported numbers exceeding 170. A Red Cross official provided the latest figures, indicating that the death toll may rise as search efforts continue.

Amnesty International accused authorities of failing to provide adequate security, leading to a "stunning absence" of protection for civilians during the assault. In addition to the atrocities in Kwara, another 21 people were reported killed in a separate attack in Katsina state.

This alarming escalation of violence has prompted calls for urgent investigation and improved security measures, amidst the backdrop of ongoing conflicts involving various armed groups across Nigeria, including criminal gangs known locally as 'bandits' and jihadist factions.