Kwara Residents Accuse Soldiers Of Abandoning Forest Pursuit After Massacre

Residents of the Woro community in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused Nigerian Army personnel deployed after a deadly terrorist attack of failing to pursue suspected attackers into nearby forests.

Instead, the residents alleged that soldiers mounted roadblocks within the community, where they harass and extort motorists.

The accusations follow a coordinated attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists weeks ago that reportedly left at least 162 villagers dead, plunging surrounding communities into fear.

A resident of Woro told SaharaReporters that soldiers remained within the town rather than moving into the forests where the attackers were believed to be hiding.

“They didn’t enter the forest; they are just hanging around the community. That is what’s paining the community.

“The soldiers that we thought would enter the forest to fight these terrorists, they are now monitoring vehicle movement in the town.

“If you come to Woro now, you will see them on the main street when coming from Kaiama. They mount a roadblock there to disturb vehicle owners and to extort motorists,” the resident said.

Community members said the development has heightened anger among survivors who expected a decisive military operation to track down the perpetrators.

Residents of neighbouring rural settlements also expressed frustration over what they described as inadequate security presence.

The village head of Baburasa, Ibrahim Hammad, lamented the lack of protection.

He said, “Regarding security, we don’t have adequate security here. We don’t have full security in this community. There is no force protecting us.

“It was this same lack of security that made the attack on Woro very easy for them. We are begging the government to please bring security to our community. Sometimes they deploy security operatives, but they leave without even spending a full day.”

Villagers in Kali, Baburasa and Gada Oli communities described widespread anxiety, saying many now avoid travelling long distances or staying late on farms.

A farmer in Kali village, Musa, said, “We no longer go far into our farms. Once it is evening, everybody rushes home because we don’t know when they will come. We heard gunshots during the Woro attack and since then nobody sleeps peacefully again.”

Another resident added, “Our children always express fear whenever they hear any sound or see any strange movement. We sleep with one eye open. Some families even relocate to Kaiama and even Ilorin because they are afraid. The Woro attack sent a strong signal that we are also not safe.”

‘How Can We Face Terrorists With Sticks?’

In the Gada Oli community, a member of a local vigilante group said residents have been left to defend themselves with rudimentary weapons.

He asked, “How can we face terrorists with Dane guns and sticks? They carry sophisticated weapons. If they choose to attack us today, nothing will stop them because there are no soldiers or police stationed here.”

An elder, Sani, warned of the risk of another tragedy if urgent action is not taken.

“What happened in Woro is still fresh in our minds,” he said. “We saw people running with injuries, women crying, and families wiped out. Now the same attackers are said to be inside the forest close to us, yet there is no security here.”

Another resident accused authorities of reacting only after violence occurs.

He said, “The government always comes after people have died. We don’t want condolences; we want protection before another massacre happens.”