BAUCHI, Nigeria, Feb 4 Bandits killed at least 35 people after storming a remote village in central Nigeria’s Kwara state, setting buildings and shops ablaze during a late night assault on Tuesday, according to a state lawmaker. The attack is believed to be the deadliest recorded this year in the district bordering Niger state, an area increasingly targeted by heavily armed criminal gangs.
Villagers fled into surrounding bushland as gunmen attacked Woro community, shooting sporadically and torching homes and businesses. Survivors described scenes of panic as families ran for safety while others were trapped by the flames. Local authorities said several people remained missing by Wednesday morning, raising fears that the death toll could rise further as search and rescue efforts continue.
Security forces were reportedly deployed to the area following the attack, though residents say the response came after the gunmen had already retreated. Community leaders have called for increased military presence and urgent humanitarian assistance for displaced families who have lost homes and livelihoods.
Banditry and armed attacks on rural communities have surged across northwest and north central Nigeria in recent years, with gangs frequently raiding villages, kidnapping residents for ransom and stealing livestock. Analysts say the violence has been fueled by weak security coverage in remote regions, economic hardship and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
Kwara state has recorded a growing number of attacks near the border with neighbouring Niger state, highlighting the expanding reach of armed groups beyond traditional hotspots. Authorities have pledged to intensify security operations and restore stability, but residents remain anxious about further assaults as many communities continue to live under the threat of recurring violence.
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