Gunmen kill dozens in Nigeria as US military deployment confirmed

February 5, 2026

A devastating attack on two villages in Nigeria's Kwara state has resulted in mass casualties, with death toll estimates ranging from 75 to over 170 people, as authorities continue recovering bodies. State officials attribute the massacre to Boko Haram militants after villagers rejected the group's extremist religious teachings and refused to allow them to preach in their communities. The assault is part of a broader wave of violence across Nigeria, with additional attacks occurring simultaneously in Katsina and Borno states that killed dozens more.

Who is affected

75-170 people killed in Woro and Nuku villages in Kwara state (exact number disputed)
38 people abducted from the affected villages
Residents who fled their homes in the attacked villages
21 people killed in Doma village, Katsina state
17 people killed in Borno state
Local Muslim communities in the affected areas
Christian communities referenced by the White House
General civilian populations across northern Nigeria facing security threats

What action is being taken

President Bola Tinubu has deployed an army battalion to the affected area
Nigerian forces are stepping up operations against armed groups
The Red Cross is conducting searches for more bodies
US troops are providing intelligence support to Nigerian forces
Joint US-Nigerian security cooperation is increasing with delivery of critical supplies and equipment

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in Nigeria's ongoing security crisis, demonstrating Boko Haram's expanding territorial reach beyond its traditional northeastern stronghold into western regions. The attack highlights the failure of local and national security infrastructure to protect civilians, as noted by Amnesty International's criticism of the "stunning absence" of security measures. The incident underscores Nigeria's complex security challenges involving multiple threats—jihadist insurgency, criminal gangs, and ethnic tensions—while also marking a turning point in international involvement, with formal acknowledgment of US military presence representing potential changes in regional counterterrorism strategy.

What's next

Search operations continue for additional bodies and survivors
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the killings
US Africa Command deployment will continue with focus on intelligence support (though specific duration unstated)
Nigerian forces plan to continue counter-insurgency operations against armed groups

Read full article from source: BBC