Dozens of people have been killed by unidentified gunmen in a ferocious attack on two villages in Nigeria's western state of Kwara, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed has told BBC Hausa. The attackers set fire to shops and homes, along with the residence of the traditional leader, forcing the residents of Nuku and Woro to flee, he added.
The death toll is unclear, with Ahmed saying at least 35 people had died, while a Red Cross official told the AFP news agency the figure had gone up to 162. The attack, one of several across Nigeria in the last 24 hours, comes as the defence minister confirmed to the BBC that a small team of US troops was in the country to help with intelligence and training.
It is the first official acknowledgement from Nigeria of an American troop presence since US President Donald Trump ordered the military in November to prepare for action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups. Defence Minister Chrisopher Musa did not provide details on the team's size, arrival date, location or duration of stay.
Kwara police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi told the BBC that the attack on the neighbouring villages of Nuku and Woro began at 17:30 local time on Tuesday - and she blamed suspected bandits. She added that various security forces had now been deployed to the area but details of casualties were still unclear as were reports that people were missing. Reports said that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues.
This violence underscores Nigeria's ongoing struggle with security threats, which include violent banditry, an Islamist insurgency, clashes over land rights, and separatist tensions.
The death toll is unclear, with Ahmed saying at least 35 people had died, while a Red Cross official told the AFP news agency the figure had gone up to 162. The attack, one of several across Nigeria in the last 24 hours, comes as the defence minister confirmed to the BBC that a small team of US troops was in the country to help with intelligence and training.
It is the first official acknowledgement from Nigeria of an American troop presence since US President Donald Trump ordered the military in November to prepare for action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups. Defence Minister Chrisopher Musa did not provide details on the team's size, arrival date, location or duration of stay.
Kwara police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi told the BBC that the attack on the neighbouring villages of Nuku and Woro began at 17:30 local time on Tuesday - and she blamed suspected bandits. She added that various security forces had now been deployed to the area but details of casualties were still unclear as were reports that people were missing. Reports said that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues.
This violence underscores Nigeria's ongoing struggle with security threats, which include violent banditry, an Islamist insurgency, clashes over land rights, and separatist tensions.
