The Nigerian Red Cross has confirmed that at least 162 people were killed during a brutal attack by gunmen in Kwara State, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the country in recent months.
A senior Red Cross official disclosed the figure on Wednesday following preliminary assessments and information gathered from affected communities. According to the official, the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue in surrounding areas and more bodies are recovered.
The attack reportedly occurred in remote communities, where heavily armed assailants stormed villages, opening fire on residents and setting homes ablaze. Survivors said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, overwhelming the communities and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Local sources described the aftermath as devastating, with dozens of houses destroyed, farmlands abandoned, and families displaced. Many of the victims were said to be women, children, and elderly residents who could not escape the assault.
Emergency responders and volunteers from the Red Cross have begun providing humanitarian assistance, including first aid, psychosocial support, and relief materials to displaced persons. The organization said access to some areas remains difficult due to insecurity and poor road networks.
The Kwara State Government has condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence against innocent civilians. Authorities said security agencies have been deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.
The massacre has reignited concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where residents remain vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. Civil society organizations and community leaders have called on the federal government to intensify security operations and protect lives and property.
As investigations continue, residents of the affected communities are urging the government to ensure justice for the victims and take urgent steps to prevent further bloodshed.
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