* Scores of innocent Muslims killed, MPAC laments Woro assault
* Selective outrage must stop, MURIC declares after Kwara, Katsina killings
* Gov AbdulRazaq visits Kaiama, Woro, orders humanitarian support for victims
Leading Muslim human rights organisations in Nigeria have strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, described it as “heinous” and a grim reminder of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Muslim News gathered that conflicting figures have continued to trail the number of casualties from the incident.
Reports from civil society groups and community sources have placed the death toll between 170 victims, official government and security briefings as at the time of filing this report on Thursday confirmed 75 fatalities, with about 95 per cent of the victims identified as Muslims.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, involved armed extremists who reportedly stormed the rural community, killing residents, burning homes, and displacing families. A similar incident was also reported in Katsina, where at least 35 Muslims were killed.
MPAC: “A heinous act of terrorism”
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, said preliminary accounts from the community suggested a much higher death toll than officially confirmed, noting that many victims were still being identified and buried.
MPAC Executive Chairman, Mal Disu Kamor, said, “The Muslim Public Affairs Centre is appalled by the recent terrorist attack in Woro village, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, which has claimed the lives of scores of innocent Muslims, including men, women and children.
He explained that the attackers were alleged to have sent prior communication to the district head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Umar, under the guise of preaching, but later unleashed violence after the community alerted security agencies.
According to Mal Disu, homes were razed, residents were kidnapped and graphic scenes of bodies littered the streets underscored the brutality of the assault.
The organisation called on the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security across the Borgu axis spanning Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States, while also providing immediate humanitarian relief to affected residents.
“Recent military deployments are commendable, but more decisive action is required to protect lives and prevent further attacks,” MPAC stated.
MURIC: Questions ‘selective outrage’ over killings
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), led by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, issued a separate press release condemning what it described as the massacre of Muslims in Kwara and Katsina States.
MURIC claimed that about 175 Muslims were killed in Woro, Kwara State, while another 35 were shot dead the same day in Doma village, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, bringing the figure cited by the organisation to 210 fatalities.
“We are appalled by these senseless killings. The killing of a single Nigerian is condemnable, but what do we say when over 200 citizens are massacred?” Prof Akintola said.
The organisation stressed that regardless of religion or ethnicity, every Nigerian is entitled to the fundamental right to life as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which declares security and welfare as the primary purpose of government.
MURIC also criticised what it described as selective outrage and international narratives that focus solely on Christian casualties while downplaying or ignoring the killing of Muslims.
“We demand full protection for Nigerians of all faiths. Every life matters to us. We will not be parochial like those who ignore the killing of Muslims and are calling for the protection of Christians alone,” the statement read.
Official figures still stand at 75
Despite the higher figures cited by advocacy groups, official casualty records released by state authorities and security agencies as at Thursday put the confirmed death toll at 75 persons, with investigations and verification ongoing.
Government sources also confirmed that the majority of those killed were Muslims, corroborating community accounts that the attackers targeted Muslim residents.
Gov AbdulRazaq visits Kaiama, Woro, orders humanitarian support for victims
Security agencies have since deployed additional troops to the area following directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has visited the community and directed the state emergency management agency to mobilise support for the victims.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said the directive followed the Governor’s visit to the community, where he commiserated with the victims, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and the people of the Kaiama Emirate.
Ahead of his visit to Woro, the Governor first arrived Kaiama on Wednesday night in the company of the House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Honourable Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, security commanders, and senior government officials. The Head of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, and his chiefs joined the Emir to receive the Governor.
The Governor, who prayed for the repose of the deceased, announced the immediate deployment of soldiers to the area by the President under Operation Savannah Shield.
“We are very sad. We are here today to commiserate with your Royal Highness over the death of 75 of your subjects. May Allaah grant them Al-jannah Firdaus,” Governor AbdulRazaq said at the Emir’s Palace late Wednesday.
“Your Emirate is versatile and, from the information we have been receiving, these victims were massacred because they refused to succumb to a strange Islamic doctrine. This is different from what we used to see, where subjects were being kidnapped for ransom. This was a pure massacre. We commiserate with you.”
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the immediate deployment of a battalion of soldiers under Operation Savannah Shield.
“At the moment, the state emergency services will carry out enumeration and provide support to the families of the victims,” he said.
“We thank the security agencies for doing a yeoman’s job, moving swiftly across the state. The situation in Kwara South has largely been subdued. This is a major challenge because it extends beyond Kwara to Kainji Park in Niger State. They have murdered in cold blood, but I assure you that within the next month, the entire area will be secured by soldiers. The results will be positive, God willing.”
Alhaji Muazu told the Governor that the attackers were followers of Mahmuda, who preached a strange ideology and targeted those who rejected their doctrine. He appreciated the Governor for his swift response and support.
“We, the people of Kaiama, are deeply moved by Your Excellency’s presence to commiserate with us, especially since you just returned from a trip. What happened at Woro yesterday was very unfortunate. We lost a large number of people, and we pray for the repose of their souls,” the Emir said.
“We appreciate Your Excellency and the security team for this visit. This reassures us that we are part of the larger system.”
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