Thirteen additional bodies were laid to rest on Thursday in Woro community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, following Tuesday’s deadly attack by armed bandits that left over 100 residents dead and dozens abducted.

Community leaders said 75 victims were buried on Wednesday, while Thursday’s burials pushed the official death toll to 88, with more bodies still being recovered from the surrounding bushes.

“We were not able to bury all the bodies yesterday, so we continued today,” said Dr Abdul Woro, a resident involved in the burial process. “We are still searching the bushes for more bodies.”

Despite the heavy deployment of security operatives, residents say Woro is now deserted, as fears of renewed violence persist.

Abdul Woro told Daily Trust, “The community is completely deserted. Some are still around, but many have fled. There is now a security presence in Kaiama.”

Families of women and children taken during the attack said they have not received any communication from the abductors, deepening anxiety and despair.

The village head said, “I lost two children, and my last wife and other children were kidnapped. We haven’t heard anything from them.”
Bandits Wore Army Uniforms, Operated For 10 Hours

Survivors described a terrifying scene as the attackers, many of whom were dressed in military uniforms, stormed the village on motorcycles and operated for over 10 hours without resistance.

“They came around 5 pm and started shooting. They burned houses, shops, and vehicles,” said Dr Abdul Woro.

A resident, Ahmed Yinusa, explained that poor roads hindered timely intervention.

“The road from Kaiama to Woro is over 50km and in a bad condition. That delayed any external help,” he said.

The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, and the Local Government Chairman, Abubakar Abdullahi, both confirmed the figures of those buried and spoke of the ongoing challenges.

Abdullahi said, “We went with the government and saw some corpses still lying around. SEMA has promised support, and the federal government is also planning interventions.”

He said 49 shops were razed, and about 12 vigilantes were locked in a building and burned alive during the assault.

Abdullahi, however, dismissed reports that entire families were wiped out.

“There’s no single family that was completely wiped out. I was there myself and just spoke with the brother of the village head,” he clarified.

Some locals claimed the actual number of those buried could be as high as 173, with over 150 persons abducted, most of them women and children.

“We buried about 173, and 150 were taken. But I feel secure now with at least 50 soldiers and 30 forest guards deployed,” said another resident.