At least 170 people have been killed by suspected Boko Haram fighters
in an attack on Woro village in Kwara State, western Nigeria.
The assault occurred on Tuesday after gunmen demanded that residents embrace Sharia law and opened fire when villagers resisted, survivors told Reuters.
According to local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed, residents were rounded up and executed, while security forces are still combing nearby bushland for survivors.
“As I’m speaking to you now, I’m in the village along with military personnel, sorting dead bodies and combing the surrounding areas for more,” Ahmed told Reuters.
According to reports, several prominent community figures were killed in the attack, including members of the Emir of Woro’s family, religious leaders, teachers and students, while the Emir remains missing after his palace was set ablaze.
Kwara State police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyem said police and military personnel have been deployed to the area for search-and-rescue operations but declined to provide an official casualty figure.
