Tragic Attack in Nigeria Leaves Dozens Dead Amid US Military Support

Fri Feb 06 2026 01:29:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A brutal assault in Nigeria's Kwara state results in a high death toll, as authorities blame Islamist militants. The US confirms military presence to aid in combating the insurgency.

In a shocking incident, gunmen attacked two villages in Nigeria, killing dozens and causing widespread destruction. The Nigerian government has attributed the attack to jihadist groups, with reports indicating that up to 162 people may have died. This incident comes as US military personnel are confirmed to be in the country to assist with intelligence and training, raising concerns about the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by both local gang violence and Islamist extremism.

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 told BBC Hausa.

Officials have blamed jihadist groups and deployed an army battalion to Kwara's Kaiama constituency.

Tuesday's attack, one of several across Nigeria in the last few days, comes as the country's defence minister confirmed to the BBC that a small team of US troops was in the country to help with intelligence and training.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the Islamist militant group Boko Haram was behind the attack. Local lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio stated that Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with Islamic State, was responsible, according to the Associated Press.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remarked that 75 local Muslims were massacred in cold blood simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine.

Ahmed initially told BBC Hausa that at least 35 individuals had died, but human rights groups have since reported more than four times that number of deaths.

A Red Cross official in Kwara, Babaomo Ayodeji, mentioned that reports said that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues.

Amnesty International stated that over 170 people had died, noting many were shot at close range and some burnt alive.

Several individuals were abducted during the attack that was carried out amidst a glaring absence of security measures to protect lives, the human rights group said while calling for an investigation.

A further 21 people were killed in a different attack on Doma village in the state of Katsina.

The U.S. military presence in Nigeria has prompted concerns about the ongoing security challenges faced by the nation, which include criminal gangs, Islamist insurgency, and ethnic tensions.

Reports highlighted that suspected bandits initiated the violence that evening, leading to chaos and fear among the residents, who have seen recent attacks spread to areas previously unaffected by such violence.