UN, US Condemn Kwara Killings As Türkiye Vows Support Against Terrorism

The United Nations, the United States, and Türkiye have condemned the deadly attack in Kwara State.

In separate statements, they described the incident, which claimed about 75 lives and left several others injured, as “heinous.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a post on X, said, “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 3 February in Kwara State, Nigeria.

“My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & to the people & government of Nigeria. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

The United States Mission in Nigeria stated: “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence. We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice.”

The Turkish government said it was “deeply saddened” by the terrorist attack.

“We strongly condemn this heinous attack and extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria. Türkiye will continue to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism,” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on its website.

Gunmen attacked Woro and the neighbouring Nuku communities on Tuesday, killing at least 75 people, setting shops on fire, destroying the residence of a traditional ruler, and forcing residents to flee their homes.

Some reports have indicated that the number of casualties may be higher.

President Bola Tinubu has also directed the deployment of an army battalion to bolster security in the state under Operation Savannah Shield.

Political groups, including a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Northern States Governors’ Forum, have also condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric and a sign of worsening insecurity in the region.