Violence Erupts in Nigeria: Nearly 200 Dead in Recent Attacks
In a wave of brutal violence, nearly 200 lives have been claimed since Tuesday by armed assailants targeting villages in central and northern Nigeria, as reported by local authorities, residents, and police on Wednesday.
The hardest hit region is Kwara State, where at least 170 victims fell prey to gunmen on Tuesday. Saidu Baba Ahmed, the area’s elected representative, shared the grim details during a telephone interview. “As I speak to you now, I am in the village with military personnel, where we are sorting through the bodies and searching the surrounding areas for more,” Ahmed stated, highlighting the severity of the situation.
This attack marks the deadliest recorded incident of the year in an area near the border with Niger State, which has increasingly become a target for armed gangs notorious for raiding villages, abducting residents, and stealing livestock. Ahmed further disclosed that the assailants gathered villagers, bound their hands, and executed them in cold blood. He posted images of the aftermath, although they remain unverified.
As chaos unfolded, many residents fled into the nearby scrubland. The gunmen did not shy away from further destruction, setting fire to homes and shops. While police have reported “several” fatalities, they have yet to provide a precise figure.
A spokesperson for the Red Cross previously informed AFP that the casualty count had reached at least 170. Eyewitness accounts from villagers suggest that the assailants demanded they renounce their loyalty to the Nigerian state in favor of Sharia law. Resistance to this demand proved fatal.
In a separate incident, Katsina State also faced a harrowing attack, with at least 21 people reported dead. Eyewitnesses and local police described how the assailants systematically moved from house to house, executing their victims.
The escalating violence has intensified pressure on Nigeria, which is grappling with international scrutiny. Last year, US President Donald Trump accused the country of failing to protect its Christian population amidst increasing Islamist attacks and mass abductions. In response, US forces carried out operations targeting alleged terrorist positions on December 25.
As Nigeria faces this alarming surge in violence, the quest for security remains ever more urgent.
